[Capri25] Backstay question

[Garry Cooke]

You need to be careful how much force you are putting into your boat. The
backstay tension should be limited to no more than 35% the breaking strain
of the backstay wire. If you put too much tension in the rig, you will
increase significantly the compression force in the mast and risk damage to
the bottom of your boat. I know of two Express 30's where the owners put too
much back stay tension and drove the mast down, and cracked the bottom of
the boat, and in one case, let water in. I also know of some Viking 28's
where the deck has been buckled by too much backstay tension. It would be
wise to get a Loos gauge to ensure that you are not over stressing your rig.
good luck
Garry
Capri 25 'Endeavour'

On Tue, Dec 30, 2008 at 10:24 AM, Ruedenberg, Emanuel (Rudy) <
Emanuel.Ruedenberg at bsci.com> wrote:

>  You should definitely call Bruce Tamm from 'Tsunami' if he does not
> answer this email.  He and I know others, have had terrible problems at the
> bow.  I seem to remember that the force of the forestay separated the
> foredeck or something…..
>
>
>
> good luck
>
>
>
> rudy
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *Emanuel 'Rudy' Ruedenberg*
>
> Sr. Quality Engineer
>
> CQE,CQA
>
> Boston Scientific
>
> 763-494-1468
>
> Cell 612-201-7238
>
> MS B260
>
>
>   ------------------------------
>
> *From:* capri25-bounces at lists.wyc.org [mailto:
> capri25-bounces at lists.wyc.org] *On Behalf Of *Kenneth Reiff
> *Sent:* Tuesday, December 30, 2008 2:28 AM
> *To:* capri25 at lists.wyc.org
> *Subject:* [Capri25] Backstay question
>
>
>
> We've replaced the standard "pinch the two wires together" type of backstay
> adjuster with a very nice, and powerful, cascade system as we've always had
> problems getting the backstay tight enough to get rid of headstay sag while
> in breeze.  With this new cascading system, trust me, we're not going to
> have headstay problems anymore.
>
> My question?  I looked below at the very front of the boat in front of that
> little wooden piece, and the headstay fitting is only through bolted at the
> top with no back up plate, and only one bolt in the front stem, under the
> rub rail.  Typical Catalina construction...  cheap.
>
> Has anyone in the Wayzata fleet improved their backstay adjusting
> arrangement with a more powerful cascade?  And has anyone ever beefed up the
> headstay piece? I'm thinking of removing it, then welding on a much longer
> tang, so that I have about three bolts through the stem of the boat, not
> just one.  Plus, Catalina used no back up plates, only washers, which scares
> me.  Has anyone put on too much backstay tension and yanked the headstay
> fitting right off the freaking deck?  Or am I just being paranoid because
> these boats are built so poorly?  Thoughts on yanking off your headstay
> fitting would be appreciated.  If you could, please email me at
>
> --
> Ken Reiff
> Email:  kenreiff at gmail.com
> Cell:     562-637-6630
>
> _______________________________________________
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>



-- 
e-mail: garry.cooke at gmail.com
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