Converting from fixed backstay to adjustable on an SO40

[touchngo]

In the Hints&Tips section, Uffe of Buzz Off has simply added a purchase system to his existing back stay arrangement for his SO40.

On my previous boat, I had a similar set up to this one www.jeanneau-owners.com/hintsandtips/SO36iadjustablebackstay.html
With the upper section of the back stay being 1x19 with a wire block attached at the lower end, and the lower section of wire that passed through the block being flexible 7x19. One end was shackled to the starboard backstay chain plate, and the port side had a tackle between the chain plate and the wire.

I would like to replicate the setup as per Uffe's setup BUT....I am worried about the 1x19 hardening as it looks like it puts quite a bend in both lower portions of the back stay.

So, what do others do?

I know working up wind we end up with quite a bit of fore stay sag, so would like to combat this, but I'm not that keen on enriching the Turkish Marine insdustry yet again, for something that I should be able to put together myself without too much effort. If the set up that Uffe has will work fine, I'll be a happy chappy.

Appreciate your thoughts.

Cheers, PT

[hoppy]

I've thought about doing something about my backstay and have seen the Barton unit Uffe uses in a local store. Sorry but I have no idea if this is a good setup or not. I am curious to see what this thread concludes

I had no idea when I first read your post what 7x19 & 1x19 meant, thanks to google I'm wiser

If this year goes as hoped, I will replace the standing rigging next winter and I must remember to get an adjustable BS.

[touchngo]

I have been giving this a bit more thought, and have decided to go with Uffe's setup as the bend/kink isn't any more of an angle than the cap shrouds have as they pass over the spreader ends. Also, I guess if you let the tension off when it is not in use, it should help.

Am going to try it out this summer and report back.

All the standing rigging is only a couple of years old, so should be good for a few years before I have to start freaking out too much.

Cheers, PT

[so40gtb]

I thought that, with the mast off over the winter, this would be the year for installing a backstay adjuster on Voyageur. Unfortunately, with all the other projects underway, I'm not able to do this in 2015. My backstay turnbuckles are close to minimum length, so I have the choice of reducing their length, re-swaging fittings, or finding a different approach.

Uffe's concept is elegant in its simplicity. The downside is that it adds another pair of lines at the stern, but other schemes also do that.

Here's a somewhat similar but commercial approach: www.csjohnson.com/marinecatalog/00036.htm. This is what I had in mind for Voyageur, along with a hydraulic adjuster.

My only concerns with these schemes is increasing the rubbing of backstay on bimini by pulling the latter together.

--Karl