Thoughts on running back stays.

[benw]

Looking at a Sigma 38 which currently has a rig set up with running back stays and a fixed back stay (may be adjustable not sure).
What are the perceived merits for a non racer who doesn't wish to squeeze every pound of flex out of the rig to do away with them? I fear I may have just upset a whole bunch of racing gurus - sorry please forgive me and let me have the benefit of your thoughts.
I have looked at a few posts and it seems that the running backstay is not seen as a must use when a fixed back stay is in situ.

 

[nigelm]

I used to crew on a sigma 38 , non racing and we never used the runners once , they were just pulled foward and tied off against the shrouds , I did ask the owner and he said they only used them for racing , nice deep fin for our coast tho

 

[Koeketiene]

nice deep fin for our coast tho

I know how he feels

 

[sailorman]

I know how he feels

depth is only a problem if yer keel is deeper than the water

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

nice deep fin for our coast tho

and me!

I've got running backstays on my main mast... actually more like check stays... i'll only bother with them when its either windy, when flying the staysail or when running with the wind near or aft of the beam in a F4 or above.

 

[nigelm]

I've got running backstays on my main mast... actually more like check stays... i'll only bother with them when its either windy, when flying the staysail or when running with the wind near or aft of the beam in a F4 or above.

on that Sigma , when it blew up abit on the way to boulogne once we slapped in a reef instead of using the runners ( we were downwind ) , the sigma mast is quite substantial anyway ....

I prefer a sigma 362 if it was my choice m/h rig & no runners

 

[johnalison]

I can't speak for a Sigma but some folks in our Club got a Najad 331 a few years ago and took the running backstays off but lived to regret it a year later when the mast started tramping around in a following sea.

 

[benw]

Many thanks folks. I had a look round a 362 which was a cracker but with 5 of us on board as a family, 3 daughters plus any friends that may be around, a Labrador etc the two double aft berths plus overall space is attractive. Let alone the sailing and sea keeping ability which for me are the most important factors.
I have some further investigations to look into re the keel matrix as well as keel bolts etc but a lot of boat for the money me thinks!

 

[xyachtdave]

The Sigma 38 was my first choice, but unfortunately no decent examples were on the market when I was looking....

Check stays and/or runners are not that much of a pain when used and common on that era of performance boat. I use our check stays when beating in lumpy sea or F5 and above or running in stronger breeze.

I don't think a better 38 footer is available for the money, new boats in that bracket will be, well I think you already know the answer to that!

 

[pyrojames]

and me!

I've got running backstays on my main mast... actually more like check stays... i'll only bother with them when its either windy, when flying the staysail or when running with the wind near or aft of the beam in a F4 or above.

Ditto. Does make short tacking down the Orwell with the staysail up, rather interesting!

 

[Koeketiene]

Ditto. Does make short tacking down the Orwell with the staysail up, rather interesting!

The Guapa women have ordained that if I fancy short tacking, I'm welcome to do it myself.
Hence we don't do that - much.

 

[Delfin]

My Cape George 36 had running backs, and they were useful sailing to and from Hawaii. The main purpose was to keep the mast from pumping by providing counterbalance tension to the staysail. Depending on the point of sail, when you went into a trough tension on the staysail would loosen, then suddenly tighten when you crested. It was then I appreciated the running backs, which kept everything taut.

 

[Tradewinds]

The Guapa women have ordained that if I fancy short tacking, I'm welcome to do it myself.
Hence we don't do that - much.

My wife & I tried a bit of that short tacking too on our way out last summer.

Ist 2 or 3 tacks were good fun (we were a bit rusty though) but by the time we got to the docks we'd had more than enough. It doesn't get any easier in your 60s (but we're not quite as old as Roger )

What we need for these river waters is a Hanse with a self-tacking jib.

 

[Koeketiene]

My wife & I tried a bit of that short tacking too on our way out last summer.

Ist 2 or 3 tacks were good fun (we were a bit rusty though) but by the time we got to the docks we'd had more than enough. It doesn't get any easier in your 60s (but we're not quite as old as Roger )

What we need for these river waters is a Hanse with a self-tacking jib.

Limit's been set at 5 tacks - after that we motor.

 

[nigelm]

Limit's been set at 5 tacks - after that we motor.

Don't do tacking , might spill me beer or get a whack on me nut from that boom thingy