Roger,

Thanks for your clear and bull's-eye-answer...

Any ideas about the way I could mount the backstays in the fixed
position (the "more complex arrangement" you mentioned) ?

The only alternative for a pelican hook I can think of is a
backstay-tensioner. Can you point me to other possible solutions that
will allow me to change positions without the use of wrenches and
such?

How would you feel about using a 10 mm dyneema line? suited for both
positions?

Thanks, Len.


On Sun, 05 Mar 2006 11:07:49 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:

Consider this idea that I drew on a couple of boats years ago when I
was a yacht designer:

Make the back stays fixed and running just as far back as you can live
with on a broad reach. For a smaller boats, you could end them in
large pelican hooks that would let you tension them the way lifeline
gates work. The wire weight of a 50 footer might dictate a more
complex arrangement.

Then provide tackles back in the normal running back stay location.

The forward position is basically storage for when you don't need a
lot of backstay support. In most conditions, there will be enough
tension to damp out mast pumping and tension the inner stay. On a
long downwind run, you can just release the leeward stay. When you
need significant aft support, hook the backstay into the tackle and
set it up.

Most of the time this will probably end up being just a fixed backstay
rig but you'll have the extra support when you need it.