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Wed, July 02 2025, 09:42 [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: [1], 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ]

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Date Posted: - Monday - 07/ 9/12 - 7:56pm
Author: Tom Kucera, Ryokosha, M32#1
Subject: Running backstays and staysails
In reply to: Bill Miller 's message, "Staysail, running back stays" on - Monday - 07/ 2/12 - 10:43am

Bill,

Thanks for the reply; perhaps you could help with some lingering confusion. You say you don't have a staysail but do have an inner forestay and fly a sail from it. You also mention the running backstays you have and the additional mizzen support they provide. If you fly a sail from the inner forestay, why have running backstays on the mizzen and not the main? I admit to being slow on the uptake; what am I missing? Thanks. Any photos of the boat in action?

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Replies:

[> [> [> [> running backstays -- Bill Miller M31#73, - Tuesday - 07/10/12 - 2:44pm

Hi Tom,
Maybe we are confusing the use of a staysail flown between the mizzen and main mast, as opposed to my storm/staysail flown between the jib and main mast. The main masts on our Mariners are well supported by the split back stay and the triatic from the main to mizzen. The weak point, in my opinion, is the lack of more back support on the mizzen in a blow of 25kts. or more. I seem to get caught with everything flying when the wind pipes up in those narrow slots in the Delta. I like the added security of my running backs until I can get reefed down. I didn't have any running backs so I just ran 3/8" lines from the mizzen, around blocks on the stern and then to cam cleats.
I bet Randall Reeves could give us great advice on running backs! Check out photo on 2012 Delta Ditch Run h20shots.com (page 87)
Bill


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[> [> [> [> [> Running backstays and staysails -- Tom Kucera, - Wednesday - 07/11/12 - 9:17pm

Bill,

Yeah, it's a terminological confusion. I call a staysail any sail flying off a stay (except the jib, which does run off the forestay...). I think I learned, maybe hanging around with schooner folks, that a main staysail runs off a stay attached to the mainmast, a foremast staysail runs off the forward mast (on a schooner), a mizzen staysail runs off a stay attached to the mizzen, etc. (If I remember right, there is also an issue with how far aft of the forestay the next stay goes, to differentiate an inner forestay from a cutter rig. And there's the solent stay...) So, it sounds to me that, given that terminology, you run a mizzen staysail, and have running backstays to your mizzen. Whew. I think that's clear in my mind. I have what is probably a cutter rig on my 32 (sometimes referred to as a clutter-ketch), with running backstays on the mainmast attached at about the spreaders. It also has a triatic and split backstays. I've never flown a cutter (or main staysail or inner foresail...), but life is for learning.

Nice pic - looking good.


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[> [> [> [> [> [> Running Backstays -- Bill Miller M31#73, - Thursday - 07/12/12 - 4:26pm

Tom,
To clarify,I don't have a staysail flown between the two masts. I would like to try that if I had enough crew to help with tacking. What I do have is a self tacking sail flown between the main mast and the jib. Some refer to this as a "cutter". I have running back stays on the mizzen simply to help support (both) masts via the triatic. Refer to M32#49 "Blues Traveler". I hope this better describes my sail plan. I really enjoy experimenting and my latest is a triangular "fisherman". But that's anther story... Bill


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[> [> [> [> [> [> Running backstays and staysails -- Tom Kucera, Ryokosha, M32#1, - Thursday - 07/12/12 - 7:49pm

Gotcha. Good luck with that "fisherman." Maybe post some photos when the bugs are gone. I hope I get to see it out on the water, in action.


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