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Submitted
on November 15, 2005 by Martin Snyder
Question: I have a 1994 Beneteau
First 210. Its underpowered in light air and I would like to use a large
roach full batten main with a performance roach profile but the backstay
is in the way.
My question is this; can I do without the backstay or use twin soft backstays that can be taken forward when not needed at all?
The spreaders are fairly swept and the chainplates are fully outboard, and the boat has a 330 Sq Ft kite- I dont know if the backstay plays a major support role on this boat or if its mainly needed for main shape. Its a Finot design.
Thanks for any help-
Martin Snyder
Answer: Dear Martin,
What I would suggest if you want to add a high roach mainsail to your Beneteau is to use a single backtay made from 3/16" spectra single braid line. At the top of your mast you can screw onto the mast crane a 1/4" batten that sticks out horizontally aft (about 24") from the masthead. At the end of this batten install a small stainless steel round ring that the backstay can be lead through. This batten will hold your backstay well aft of it's present attachment point on the masthead alowing for a much larger roach mainsail to pass through. At the lower end of the backstay you will need a purchase adjustment. When you need to pull backstay on, the batten at the top of the mast will deflect downward. The mainsail roach will actually flop through when the backstay is tensioned in breezy conditions and in light air just ease the backstay adjuster off so the batten hold the top of the backstay well aft. If you have a chance to look at a Melges 24 you can see that this is the method they use to make room for large roach mainsails. Hope this helps out.
Regards,
Chuck Brown
RIG PRO
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