Could anyone provide details on the mast attachment of running backstays for the larger Freedoms? I would like to add them to our 45CC. Much thanks! Tom
Die Walkure 45cc, Deltaville, VA
Browsing the forum I saw your question. Can’t provide the details myself. Cannot show pictures either, boat is not in The Netherlands.
The hardware for the running backstays I have on the 45ft was made by Paul Dennis, Warren River Boatworks, Warren R.I.
He can provide you with the details and probably the hardware itself.
Thanks Hans,
Do you recall where running backstays are secured when not in use?
On the only one that I’ve seen, they came down when not in use. Then again, I have no idea why they owned a Freedom as they had more lines and tracks on that boat then I’ve ever seen on a Freedom. You either get the concept of a Freedom or you don’t, and this guy didn’t.
– Geoff
Geoff,
Point well taken… although a roller furling reaching sail can be pretty freeing - especially in light conditions between 60 and 120 degrees. We also like to sometimes go out for a quick 1 to 2 hour sail and would enjoy the option of rolling out the code 0, doing a quick beam reach out and back and not having to deal with our wonderful - but very large mainsail. I remain hopeful that this kind of arrangement would work effectively without running back stays… which I haven’t had the pleasure of using since I was a teenager sailing on a 1958 all wood Dragon.
At first I tied them to the foot rail when not in use, now they are attached to pad eyes on deck near the mast, where they stay when not in use. I have no experience with flexible furlers, can’t tell whether it’s necessary to keep the luff tight in order to furl, like with a normal roller furling jib. Probably best to try the furler without running backs, when it furls OK you won’t need them. It saves a lot of hassle.
I agree with Geoff that the Freedom concept is about less blocks, tackles, lines, genoatracks and winches instead of more. I like the camberspar jib in this aspect very much.
In my opinion is the main drawback of this concept, esp in the 1 mast Freedom’s where the mast is considerable higher than in the 2 mast ones, is the flexibility of the mast top.
I have noticed a big difference there between the mast of the 38, which is much stiffer, and the 45 which is so flexible, I was almost afraid for breaking in the beginning. ( Don’t know whether there is a difference between masts of the same size)
When beating to windward in the waves of a steep sea, like wind against tide, I noticed the 45 mast to bend quite a bit to leeward ánd forward in the top, esp with the forestay attached at 5/6 of mast height.
This has improved much by installing a smaller jib with a lower fore stay 2/3, like the 38ft sail plan . So I sail now with a smaller jib on the 45ft. Only when I hoist the code zero I now do need the running backs, not anymore when just beating to windward.
Hans,
Thank you for the very helpful information. I think I’m down to my last questions. Does the tack of your code 0 attach forward of or behind the head stay?
Thanks,
Bob
Bob,
Forward of the headstay, You might even consider to rig it from the pulpit where the spi boom is mounted normally on the 38.
Thanks for your return. With about a year of sailing our 45 we can see a benefit to setting runners in gusty conditions with the typical Chesapeake steep/chop, if only to quiet the mast when short tacking minimizing the main back winding up top and dampening mast cycling. In my opinion it can not hurt. Did speak with Paul Denison and he advised mast attachment points were typically folding wichard pad eyes with backing plates on mast and larger folding pad eyes on deck one set forward of lifeline gate and one set further aft. The forward set allows short tacking with both runners in place. When not used runners are attached to pad eyes about 18" outbord of mast base. Our asymetrical tacks to a retractable bow sprit about 30" forward of headstay when deployed. A waterstay can be deployed if needed. Our 45 responds well to the added headsail area in wind conditions under 14kts. Tom/Die Walkure