In 1992 on a rough
passage to
Grenada from the
BVI my Navtec hydraulic backstay started shooting oil out the top and the piston was pulling out. Scared the sh__ out of us as we were then in 45-knot winds and 18-20ft seas.
We quickly rigged two 3/4" nylon lines around the backstay above the tensioner and led each thru snatch blocks to the big
cockpit winches. That worked well for the next 100 miles until we reached
Grenada and could do more efficient
repairs.
Took the old Navtec to a dealer in
Annapolis who wanted $1,200 to
repair it. A new one at the time was about $1,500.
Decided, wisely, to remove the damned thing completely. In many thousands of miles
offshore and some 24 years of sailing haven't missed it a bit. I have a strong rig, tall mast, 10mm 1x19 standing
rigging.
For my
money, unless you're
racing I'd dump the tensioner altogether. One less thing to worry about :-)
Bill
s/v Born Free
Bob Perry-designed Golden Wave 42