Why is the backstay offset?

[trswem]

Is there any particular reason the back stays on the 26D and Ss? Is there no negative effect to having that off center?

[Stickinthemud57]

It seems attaching the backstay at the center would be the most logical thing. I'm not sure why it is offset, so I am guessing.

There are two other things mounted at the center of the transom - the rudder post and the mast crutch. It might be that one or both of these prevent center-mounting and maintenance of the backstay mount.

It would stand to reason that this has some effect on performance (points better on one tack than the other), but the offset is slight, so I would imagine the difference is slight, and becomes insignificant in the face of other factors.

I wonder mostly about why it has to be as far over as it is. Just a few inches would have gotten it clear of the rudder post and crutch. Why place it where it interferes with getting up and down the boarding ladder?

I'll hit up Todd at BWY and see what he says.

[trswem]

I agree, it seems like they didn't have to go over as far as they did. I'm considering adding adjustable backstay, and if I'm going through the effort might play around with relocating. Let us know what Todd says!

[Maraquita]

My D, and I think all of the classics, has a tiller and a stern hung rudder. It seems as if mounting the backstay closer to the middle would restrict movement of the tiller. Making a "Y" shaped attachment might work if you don't run into the outboard motor well. That might be a comparably easy way to make an adjustable backstay as well

[Stickinthemud57]

First off, Todd McChesney is an awesome dude. I told him there was a question at this forum that he might be able to shed some expert light on, and indeed he has.

I emailed him and asked:
-Why is the backstay off-center?
-Does this affect performance?

His answer:
"It’s off center so that it doesn’t conflict with the rudder / tiller on the D. It could be centered on the S, but they never bothered. Later, on the X, it is off center because of the hinge up seat. Technically it must have some tiny effect on mast shape from side to side, but it’s so small I can’t tell any performance difference."

My favorite part: "It could be centered on the S, but they never bothered".

[THE CUSCUS]

If you zoom in on this picture, you can see my split backstay arrangement.

[Stickinthemud57]

When I made the swim platform for my 26S I decided to do something about the backstay since it would interfere with accessing the boarding ladder. I mounted 2 stainless steel U-bolts on either side of the motor well, above the rub rail, backing them up with 1/2" plywood pads and oversized washers. A 3' long piece of Dyneema line attaches to those with heavy shackles, and the backstay attaches to that. This gets it out of the way of boarding ladder but does not significantly hamper operating the kicker.

[trswem]

First off, Todd McChesney is an awesome dude. I told him there was a question at this forum that he might be able to shed some expert light on, and indeed he has.

Thank you for reaching out! And thank you to Todd for the quick answer!