Learn how to set up and use running backstays, a removable stay that provides aft support to the mast, on your sailboat. Running backstays can improve the sail area, stability, and performance of your rig, especially in stormy conditions.
Getting the Most From Your Backstay
Learn how to adjust the backstay to reshape both the headsail and mainsail and control the power of your sail plan. Find out when to use the backstay, how to trim the mainsheet and traveler, and ...
Backstay
A backstay is a piece of standing rigging on a sailing vessel that runs from the mast to either its transom or rear quarter. Learn about the different types of backstays (permanent and running), their effects on sail trim and shape, and their uses as antennas or insulators.
When do I use my backstay?
Learn how to use the backstay to adjust the headstay sag, the mainsail shape and the heel and helm of your boat. Quantum Sails expert James Suggitt explains the backstay's role and tips for different rig types and conditions.
Choosing a Backstay Adjuster
Learn how to choose and install a backstay adjuster for your sailboat, whether you have a masthead or fractional rig. Compare hydraulic and mechanical adjusters, and their advantages and disadvantages.
Upgrade Your Rig With a DIY Adjustable Backstay
Learn how to make a direct adjustable backstay system that affects the belly of both sails and improves performance in different wind conditions. See the benefits, disadvantages and materials of direct and indirect backstay designs.
Sailing: Backstay adjustment
Sailing Instructional Video. Discuss this video and anything sailing on my forum www.anything-sailing.com . A small video for beginners to explain how the b...
The Running Rigging On A Sailboat Explained
Learn the functions and names of the lines, halyards, sheets, and other components of the running rigging on a sailboat. The outhaul is a line that adjusts the foot tension of the mainsail and can also be used to pull the sail out of the mast on a boat with in-mast furling.
Running backstay
A running backstay is a rigging component on a sailboat that helps support the mast. Learn how it works, its functions, and its risks in different sailing conditions.
Running Backstays
Learn how to use running backstays to shape your mast and improve your sailing performance. Compare different types of levers, such as wire stay, highfield lever and prusik knot, and their advantages and disadvantages.
It's All About that Backstay
Learn how to adjust the backstay to drive the boat and keep it flat in changing wind conditions. The backstay is your gas pedal and helps you use the keel and rudder more effectively.
How to install running backstays on a sailing boat
Regina Laska: Running backstays for the cutter stay sailHow to control the running backstays from the cockpit.
The Parts of Sailboat: A Complete Guide
Learn about the basic and advanced parts of a sailboat, such as the hull, the keel, the rudder, the mast, the sails, and more. Find out how they work and how they affect the sailing experience and performance of different types of sailboats.
Standing Rigging (or 'Name That Stay')
Learn the names and functions of the different parts of standing rigging on a sailboat, such as forestay, backstay, shrouds, and checkstays. Find out the differences between wire rope, rod, and composite rigging materials and their advantages and disadvantages.
What to do when the backstay breaks?
What is the backstay?? The backstay is kind of a big deal. It is the line (or cable in our case) that runs from the top of the mast to the stern of the boat. It is the counterpart of the forestay, which runs from the top of the mast to the bow of the boat; the two stays together with the shrouds, on either sides of the mast, form the standing ...
Are backstays really necessary?
If you sail offshore in extreme conditions, a backstay becomes a much more important piece of equipment. Going through big waves, especially to weather, can result in a boat pitching and a mast that pumps (that's why some have baby stays), but it is not al that simple. There are a number of different kinds of masts and mast designs.
What is a Sailboat Stay?
Sailboat Backstay. Backstays aren't as multifunctional as forestays. The backstay runs from the top of the mast (opposite the forestay) to the stern of the sailing vessel, and it balances the force exerted by the forestay. Together, the forestay and the backstay keep the mast upright under load. Sailboat Stay vs. Shroud
How Does Backstay Tension Affect Mainsail Trim?
Tensioning the mainsheet tensions the mainsail leech. The leech acts like a backstay to induce compression and mast bend. The boom vang can also help. Pulling on the vang pulls down on the boom to control leech tension, but it also forces the boom forward, pushing bend into the lower sections of the mast. Second, when you compress the mast with ...
Backstay Tensioner
Learn how to install and use a backstay adjuster to flatten and depower the mainsail in stronger winds. Find out the advantages and disadvantages of different types of backstay adjusters for masthead and fractional rigs.
Backstay Adjuster Systems
On racer/cruisers, tightening the backstay increases headstay tension for upwind sailing, while loosening the backstay offwind reduces weather helm. When selecting blocks or systems for backstays, make certain blocks match or exceed the wire or line breaking strength. Typical Boat Length: Small Boat: 22' - 28' (6.7 - 8.5 m)
Harken Boasts Best Overall Quality Among Backstay Adjusters
As with virtually all Harken gear, the Harken backstay adjuster is a quality piece of work. Made in Italy by Barbarossa (which Harken owns), it comes in four sizes (pin sizes from 1/2″ to 3/4″) and standard strokes from 5-1/2″ to 8-11/16″, with custom lengths available in the two larger models. The 7/16″ and 1/2″ pin models have ...
Backstay Tension and its Effects on Mainsail Shape
Learn how backstay tension affects the shape and performance of your mainsail by changing the mast bend, luff length, leech twist and headstay tension. Find out how to adjust the backstay and related controls to sail faster in different conditions.
Split vs Double Backstays
Mar 6, 2003. #2. Lower Split Allows Adjusting Tension. Had a block and tackle on a split backstay on the H30 tall which allowed me to vary the tension on the backstay and hence the forestay. The block and tackle was on one side of the split that connected to a wire cable that ran through a single block on the end of the back stay and then down ...
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Learn how to set up and use running backstays, a removable stay that provides aft support to the mast, on your sailboat. Running backstays can improve the sail area, stability, and performance of your rig, especially in stormy conditions.
Learn how to adjust the backstay to reshape both the headsail and mainsail and control the power of your sail plan. Find out when to use the backstay, how to trim the mainsheet and traveler, and ...
A backstay is a piece of standing rigging on a sailing vessel that runs from the mast to either its transom or rear quarter. Learn about the different types of backstays (permanent and running), their effects on sail trim and shape, and their uses as antennas or insulators.
Learn how to use the backstay to adjust the headstay sag, the mainsail shape and the heel and helm of your boat. Quantum Sails expert James Suggitt explains the backstay's role and tips for different rig types and conditions.
Learn how to choose and install a backstay adjuster for your sailboat, whether you have a masthead or fractional rig. Compare hydraulic and mechanical adjusters, and their advantages and disadvantages.
Learn how to make a direct adjustable backstay system that affects the belly of both sails and improves performance in different wind conditions. See the benefits, disadvantages and materials of direct and indirect backstay designs.
Sailing Instructional Video. Discuss this video and anything sailing on my forum www.anything-sailing.com . A small video for beginners to explain how the b...
Learn the functions and names of the lines, halyards, sheets, and other components of the running rigging on a sailboat. The outhaul is a line that adjusts the foot tension of the mainsail and can also be used to pull the sail out of the mast on a boat with in-mast furling.
A running backstay is a rigging component on a sailboat that helps support the mast. Learn how it works, its functions, and its risks in different sailing conditions.
Learn how to use running backstays to shape your mast and improve your sailing performance. Compare different types of levers, such as wire stay, highfield lever and prusik knot, and their advantages and disadvantages.
Learn how to adjust the backstay to drive the boat and keep it flat in changing wind conditions. The backstay is your gas pedal and helps you use the keel and rudder more effectively.
Regina Laska: Running backstays for the cutter stay sailHow to control the running backstays from the cockpit.
Learn about the basic and advanced parts of a sailboat, such as the hull, the keel, the rudder, the mast, the sails, and more. Find out how they work and how they affect the sailing experience and performance of different types of sailboats.
Learn the names and functions of the different parts of standing rigging on a sailboat, such as forestay, backstay, shrouds, and checkstays. Find out the differences between wire rope, rod, and composite rigging materials and their advantages and disadvantages.
What is the backstay?? The backstay is kind of a big deal. It is the line (or cable in our case) that runs from the top of the mast to the stern of the boat. It is the counterpart of the forestay, which runs from the top of the mast to the bow of the boat; the two stays together with the shrouds, on either sides of the mast, form the standing ...
If you sail offshore in extreme conditions, a backstay becomes a much more important piece of equipment. Going through big waves, especially to weather, can result in a boat pitching and a mast that pumps (that's why some have baby stays), but it is not al that simple. There are a number of different kinds of masts and mast designs.
Sailboat Backstay. Backstays aren't as multifunctional as forestays. The backstay runs from the top of the mast (opposite the forestay) to the stern of the sailing vessel, and it balances the force exerted by the forestay. Together, the forestay and the backstay keep the mast upright under load. Sailboat Stay vs. Shroud
Tensioning the mainsheet tensions the mainsail leech. The leech acts like a backstay to induce compression and mast bend. The boom vang can also help. Pulling on the vang pulls down on the boom to control leech tension, but it also forces the boom forward, pushing bend into the lower sections of the mast. Second, when you compress the mast with ...
Learn how to install and use a backstay adjuster to flatten and depower the mainsail in stronger winds. Find out the advantages and disadvantages of different types of backstay adjusters for masthead and fractional rigs.
On racer/cruisers, tightening the backstay increases headstay tension for upwind sailing, while loosening the backstay offwind reduces weather helm. When selecting blocks or systems for backstays, make certain blocks match or exceed the wire or line breaking strength. Typical Boat Length: Small Boat: 22' - 28' (6.7 - 8.5 m)
As with virtually all Harken gear, the Harken backstay adjuster is a quality piece of work. Made in Italy by Barbarossa (which Harken owns), it comes in four sizes (pin sizes from 1/2″ to 3/4″) and standard strokes from 5-1/2″ to 8-11/16″, with custom lengths available in the two larger models. The 7/16″ and 1/2″ pin models have ...
Learn how backstay tension affects the shape and performance of your mainsail by changing the mast bend, luff length, leech twist and headstay tension. Find out how to adjust the backstay and related controls to sail faster in different conditions.
Mar 6, 2003. #2. Lower Split Allows Adjusting Tension. Had a block and tackle on a split backstay on the H30 tall which allowed me to vary the tension on the backstay and hence the forestay. The block and tackle was on one side of the split that connected to a wire cable that ran through a single block on the end of the back stay and then down ...