Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
My last boat had a split backstay as you describe. But nothing short of a nuclear explosion would have made much difference on that boat.
I assumed that as I have my forward lowers pretty tight to induce a bit of mast bend, the offset backstay would allow the top of the mast to flop over to port when on a starboard tack (it's offset slightly to port). Thus depowering the main a bit on that tack. It's a light boat and very sensitive to controls so I thought a little change like that could make a difference.
Maybe it's just my imagination.
I assumed that as I have my forward lowers pretty tight to induce a bit of mast bend, the offset backstay would allow the top of the mast to flop over to port when on a starboard tack (it's offset slightly to port). Thus depowering the main a bit on that tack. It's a light boat and very sensitive to controls so I thought a little change like that could make a difference.
Maybe it's just my imagination.