To backstay tensioner or . . .

[tonyleigh]

I am tempted to fit a backstay tensioner. Masthead rig, cruising. I can think of a couple of minor advantages but nothing that really justifies the investment other than I rather like the look of them!!! Anyone with convincing arguments either way. Note: - not fractional rig. Thanks.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Harden it going upwind to straighten the forestay and flatten the luff of the genny = sail closer to the wind.

Slack it off downwind to put more fullness in the sails and move the centre of effort forward.

 

[Guest]

Also handy for stopping the mast pumping whilst reefed. Fit a manual system, not hydraulic, much cheaper and your zealous crew won't overwind it either.

 

[kingfisher]

Not a fractional rig

I thought that only worked on a fractional rig. If you have a masthead rig such as here, don't you just drive the mast trough the roof by tensioning the backstay ?

Obi-Wan

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: Not a fractional rig

Not on a well built boat!

 

[billmacfarlane]

Re: Not a fractional rig

There's a lot of masthead producton cruisers that have a backstay tensioner - its job is as Ken says - to tension the foil for upwind work and to slacken going downwind.

 

[chrisc]

Re: Not a fractional rig

one realy good thing about having a back stay tensioner-
especially rope pulley- it makes it very easy to put the mast up.