[C320-list] Back Stay Adjuster and Headstaytoggle-ForestayTurnbuckle and Back Stay Adjuster Tips

[Robert E. Sloat]

Eric-Once you get used to how much to tighten the back stay for various wind
conditions there is an improvement in speed and pointing performance.  It is 
subtle, just like making tweaks to the traveler or main sheet to get that 
extra fraction of a knot which all add up to noticeable improvement.

I started out loosening the headstay from rock hard to soft which according 
to my ship's diary amounted to about 2 inches increased length for the 
forestay turnbuckle underneath the furler.  This may vary depending on your 
boat and variances on stay and shroud dimensions and tuning.

According to Yeager's recommendation you loosen the forestay enough so that
when you grab the furling foil at chest height and with moderate force swing
the foil in about a one foot diameter circle at chest height with the back
stay eased all the way.  This is a pretty loose head stay and you should 
play around with this dimension which is easy to say, but a lot of work and 
trial and error to do.

Bob Sloat
Savannah #894
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <ericstillwellevans at gmail.com>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 16, 2010 5:27 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Back Stay Adjuster and
Headstaytoggle-ForestayTurnbuckle and Back Stay Adjuster Tips


> 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
>>
>
>