Spectra Backstays

[Zogumwesterly]

I want to know if anybody has experience with spectra backstays. My inner forestay is spectra(previously Vectran) because it is removable and it was tearing up the finnish on the mast, also it reduces weight a good bit. I was wondering if anyone had any comments on using this for backstays. It will be a cascading 16:1 purchase if we do it. we use the boat for heavy racing and cruising.

Thanks Briggs

[Giulietta]

I have a full 100% Dyneema back stay. Its around 1/4 inch thick.

VERY VERY GOOD!! If you race, I recommend. Its my second boat with Dyneema backstays, Beats the hell out of steel!!





My back stay enters the stern where you see above and exits thru a swivel block. Inside, under the cockpit I have another purchase. So I have one outside, as you see and one inside.
Make pullibg the backstay a kids play.

[sailingdog]

Zogum-

Spectra and Dyneema are basically the same material...under different labels from different manufacturers. No reason you couldn't use a Spectra backstay, since the usage is basically same as Giu's.

[Gary M]

Gui, you know other than that ugly thing that hangs off you bow and that canvasy thing over your cabin that really is a beautiful sailboat.

Gary

[paulk]

An issue that might arise in using a fiber backstay instead of a wire would be the main leech and possibly battens chafing it each time you jybe or tack. A lot depends on how much roach your main has. If you've been using fiber for your inner forestay and haven't had chafing issues from tacking the genoa yet... you should soon enough. The chafe on the backstay will likely be less than you'd get on the forestay, but it's certainly something you'll want to keep an eye on.

[sailingdog]

PaulK-

One thing you should know about Spectra and Dyneema. They are both very chafe resistant. I use Berkeley FireLine for my fishing gear, and it is a Dyneema-based superline. The FireLine wears grooves in ceramic guides and hardened steel bail rollers. The only material that really resists the FireLine are Titanium Nitride ceramic guides and bail rollers.

[Zogumwesterly]

Thanks Guys, You've been very helpfull. My main does brush the backstay slightly and the inner-forestay is in its third season of hard sailing. I was just trying to see if there were any unforseen drawbacks to this.