[C320-list] Back Stay Adjuster and Headstay toggle-ForestayTurnbuckle and Back Stay Adjuster Tips

[ericstillwellevans at gmail.com]

All good advice thanks Bob

Question 
Do you find light air boat speed improved with the headstay sag?
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

-----Original Message-----
From: "Robert E. Sloat" <resloat at comcast.net>
Sender: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.comDate: Sat, 16 Oct 2010 15:33:41 
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Reply-To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Back Stay Adjuster and Headstay toggle-Forestay
	Turnbuckle and Back Stay Adjuster Tips

Check out how much you have left on the forestay turnbuckle underneath the
furler.  You may not need to add a toggle.

On my 2002 hull 894 the head stay was rock hard so there was a
lot of turnbuckle left under the Schaefer furling system to loosen the 
forestay and allow for backstay adjustment.  After the dealer
stepped the mast he spent a lot of time cranking down on the forestay
turnbuckle.  At the time I did not realize how tight the forestay was.
Later in the first season I let out enough on the
forestay turnbuckle under the furling system to loosen the forestay a little
in order to be able to adjust the
amount of head stay sag for wind conditions via backstay tension.  I tried 
to not induce any mast
rake based on what Catalina recommends regarding mast tuning quoted below.

A few years ago on our 320 Cat Int website I found more recent (2005) than
in my 2002 owner's manual rigging tuning from a Catalina owner's manual that
someone scanned and uploaded.  I assume this is for the Charleston (standard
non furling) mast which I have on my 2002 #894.  Catalina said:

"... set mast rake at 0 degrees rake to ensure proper performance of the
spreaders in conjunction with the shrouds.  Increasing the rake of the mast
allows the spreaders to fall aft of the chain plates, which neutralizes 
their
proper function."

Yeager's (I think of Quantum) advice was to add a toggle at the forestay
which loosened the forestay and induce a little mast rake.  He did point out
the extremely tight head stay in most Catalina's was the reason for adding
the toggle.  If you can let out the turnbuckle
underneath the furler enough to get the right amount of head stay sag that 
is probably easier.

Check the Schaefer owner's manual for the procedure to get at the
turnbuckle which is fairly easy.  You remove the headsail, loosen a few 
screws and hex nuts and raise the aluminum track extrusion and make your 
turnbuckle adjustment.

If you are successful you can than add what ever backstay adjustment gear 
you want.  I bought all mine from Garhauer and hooked it up to the starboard 
split backstay chain plate using 3/32 Yale high tech cord at 500# breaking 
strength by lashing rather than trying to find a shackle with the correct 
pin length and diameter.  Six lashing turns plus knots gives a little less 
that 3000# breaking strength which has been fine with me.  Just check the 
lashing periodically to make sure it does not chafe.  Mine has not in over 
six seasons of sailing.

Bob Sloat
Savannah #894
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rick Evans" <ericstillwellevans at gmail.com>
To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2010 12:18 PM
Subject: [C320-list] Back Stay Adjuster and Headstay toggle


>I read the article by Mark Yeager many times about his suggested
>adjustments
> for the 320 that referred to adding a toggle to the headstay to lengthen
> it
> and a back stay adjuster.
>
> In the spirit of being lazy:
> 1. Has anyone done these mods?
> 2. If so do you have pics you can send to my direct email?
> 3. Do you have a parts list of exactly what you bought?
>
> Any info would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Rick
> #724
>