Adding adjustable backstay

[sandycohen]

Here's a fun topic - what is the cheapest decent way to make my Pearson 32 (about 10k displacement) backstay adjustable?

[zz4gta]

Take backstay off, shorten it 3', and add a large purchase to it.
For example, mine is 24:1 on a 25' boat. This is assuming a single point attachment to the boat.

[Faster]

Here's a google image search that should give you some ideas. Be cautious about adding a single-point attachment tackle on a boat with in-line spreaders.

backstay adj - Google Search

[sandycohen]

What are in-line spreaders?

[Faster]

Originally Posted by sandycohen

What are in-line spreaders?

Looking at your rig, if the spreaders are in line with the boat's beam they are 'in-line'. As such, with single lowers your shrouds provide no aft support for the mast.

On many rigs (esp recently, but many Hunters are extreme examples of this) the spreaders rake back (aft) anywhere between 15-30 degrees or more. As such the forestay and the shrouds form a 'tripod' of support for the mast, with the backstay mainly used for luff tension and mast bend control. This arrangement means the mast won't try and rock forward if the backstay is slacked off.

On boats with in-line spreaders the only aft support for the mast is provided by the backstay unless checkstays or runners are involved.

I should qualify this by saying many rigs have double (fore and aft) lower shrouds which will similarly support the mast, but only as far up as the spreaders, with the backstay then supporting primarily the upper panel above the spreaders.

[Liquorice]

I can tell you're new at this - "What are in line spreaders".
So why do you think you need an adjustable backstay?
sam :-)

[JimsCAL]

Single wire or split backstay? If single on a 32, this is probably the way to go.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|118|107602|298804&id=123539

[ambianceack]

We installed a johnson backstay adjuster ourselves on a Sabre 34 which has a single wire backstay. A fairly simple connection via a eye norsman fitting. Riggingonly.com out of Fairhaven, MA were knowledgable and great to work with. It wasn't that expensive, something in the $300.00 to $350.00 range, which included the adjuster, norseman fitting, and shipping. It took about a half hour to install.