Again, on no back stay rig. last one I promise.

[bgallinger]

No backstay on my boat and don't need one!

[cabo_sailor]

I have a cutter rigged Cabo Rico 38, normally a cutter would have running backstays but mine does not. Nor do I miss having something else to mess around with.

Rich

[donradcliffe]

If you want to know whether you need a backstay, take the boat out in 35 knots with a full main and crash gybe it two or three times. It will tell you. If you haven't done the test, you shouldn't say you don't need one.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

If you want to know whether you need a backstay, take the boat out in 35 knots with a full main and crash gybe it two or three times. It will tell you. If you haven't done the test, you shouldn't say you don't need one.

Only a fool would crash gybe a full main in a gale. As a matter of fact, only a fool would get caught with an unreefed main in a gale in the first place.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

If you want to know whether you need a backstay, take the boat out in 35 knots with a full main and crash gybe it two or three times. It will tell you. If you haven't done the test, you shouldn't say you don't need one.

Wouldn't prove anything about a backstay, but ..................... will sure prove how stupid you are a couple of times over!

[s/v Jedi]

I got a 20 meter mast and a 17 meter mast both without backstays. I do have runners though that should be used with spinnakers or in heavy weather conditions. I use them anytime.

[barnakiel]

I do not care about stays as long as the design is sound. A Laser does not have a backstay, does it.

b.

[donradcliffe]

Originally Posted by Bash

Only a fool would crash gybe a full main in a gale. As a matter of fact, only a fool would get caught with an unreefed main in a gale in the first place.

Only a fool would go offshore in a boat which couldn't survive that test. The last fool I remember who did it was that girl who lost her rig in the Southern Ocean and had to be rescued at great expense.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

Only a fool would go offshore in a boat which couldn't survive that test. The last fool I remember who did it was that girl who lost her rig in the Southern Ocean and had to be rescued at great expense.

I don't think there is a single boat that can be sure to survive a crash jibe without damage. Which is why we prevent that from happening.

It should not bring the mast down though.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

If you want to know whether you need a backstay, take the boat out in 35 knots with a full main and crash gybe it two or three times. It will tell you. If you haven't done the test, you shouldn't say you don't need one.

Let's be clear about this. The advice quoted above is bad advice. DO NOT TAKE A BOAT WITH AN UNREEFED MAIN INTO 30 KNOT WINDS AND CRASH GYBE IT TWO OR THREE TIMES.

And you don't need to run your car into a brick wall with the seat belts unattached to test whether the airbags work.