[Capri25] Backstay Tension

[Glenn Selvin]

Craig, we've gone to a very powerful triple cascade so as to get away from 
that pesky headstay sag.  BUT, the first leg of the cascade is wire, with a 
block swaged on the end.  So, if the spectra were to let go, the rig would 
only go forward a tiny bit, before that swaged on block were to hit the 
block at the end of the backstay turnbuckle, and that'd be as far forward as 
the rig would go...  that's our safety net.

As to the J24 system you describe?  Precisely what we do with our Cal 20's 
out here...  cut a slot in the hull to deck joint, slide through a tang, and 
then through bolt the tang to the bow.  The headstay now not only grabs the 
factory fitting, but its now grabbing the through bolted tang as well.  When 
I install that tang, the hole in the tang simply lines up with the factory 
fitting's hole, and thus, the headstay attaches to both.

I know the factory has the one hole... which scares me.  And why the factory 
fitting wasn't about 8" longer so that it could be bolted in with three 
bolts instead of just the one, is beyond me, except that, well, its a 
Catalina!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Smith, Craig A" <Craig.A.Smith at honeywell.com>
To: <capri25 at lists.wyc.org>
Cc: "Kenneth Reiff" <kenreiff at gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 8:47 AM
Subject: [Capri25] Backstay Tension


> Ken Reiff  wrote:
>>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 believe about half the Capri 25's at WYC have the original factory
> configuration with a single bolt in the hull/deck joint supporting the
> forestay.  The others have a tang down the leading edge of the bow with
> 3 bolts -  just like the J24.  I believe J24 hardware can be used on a
> Capri 25, perhaps with modification.
>
> We never had a problem aboard Looscrew until we T-boned another boat
> (long story - I wasn't driving).  This left a hole in the bow - and the
> perfect opportunity to upgrade to the J24 system.  Unfortunate the
> repair restored the original factory condition: 1 bolt.  This worked
> fine until a windy day when the rig shuddered with a gigantic THOWNNNNG
> sound (I was driving).  The front of the foredeck had lifted off the
> hull about a foot!   We dropped the headsail and it closed up to about 6
> inches.
>
> I think the factory configuration might be okay but, once damaged,
> cannot be made strong enough.  The J24 system is much stronger.  That's
> what Looscrew  has now.  I recommend Ken go with that if he has the
> opportunity.
>
> I don't believe any of the Capri's at WYC have upgraded backstays.  I
> think this might be explicitly illegal at our club despite the obvious
> advantages and the low cost of conversion.  If you do this, I recommend
> some type of "stopper" so you don't lose the rig should the cascade fail
> (or inadvertently be allowed to run free).
>
>
>
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