No Backstay Rig

[JuanCH]

Hi all! I am new here, in fact I am a laser sailor but I am considering buying a 25 footer to sail with my family. Probably this question has been asked before but the boat I like has no backstay ( it has two sets of spreaders ) It has a big mainsail and a 100% genoa I think, are these rigs ok? The mast keeps in place even if it blows 25 knots? Ive seen most yachts carry backstays. What are the pros and cons of these rigs? Thanks!

[rebel heart]

Sounds like a bergstrom rig. Swept back spreaders, I imagine? If so, the idea is that the triangle is from the aft stays, a smaller main, and a larger fore. They're safe but you can only put the main out so far else it hits the spreaders. I've never heard of them being "unsafe"; the problems are more from the balance of the rig and the inability to push the boom out.

I think they're fractional sloops, as well. Head of the jib goes ~75% of the way up.

Either way, good on you for riding lasers and getting something small and practical for your family. If you can move a laser around you're fine :-)

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

Sounds like a bergstrom rig ...

Actually, the Bergstrom & Ridder (B&G) rig, as seen on Hunters et al.