Contest 32 CS backstay

[unbusted67]

This is kind of a hail Mary because I don't see a lot of Contest 32 owners on here. I am stepping the masts on my contest 32 ketch today and I am flummoxed by my mizzen back stay setup. It looks like the back stay will regularly get in the wway of the mizzen boom and I am wondering how this had been setup previously. Any previous owners have input? I bought the boat in distress with masts down so I am piecing it together.

[B-Baysailer]

Looking at pictures online it looks like it connects right in front of the mizzen mast

[tkeithlu]

The best picture I can find has it centered and connected at the gunwale to the transom, and just clearing the end of the mizzen boom. If that route doesn't work, I'd question the length of the boom, or possibly the rake. What happened when you rigged it there?

Some boats, particularly yawls, rig the backstay to a frame off the transom, but I can't find a picture of this one doing that. If the boom truly doesn't fit, perhaps look at the length of the foot of the working mizzen sail, and see if you've Really got a problem.

[Polar Opposite]

I own a Contest 32 CS ketch. The backstay is a detachable "running backstay"...you actually switch it from side to side whenever you tack/jibe.

It's a unique setup, for certain.

[sailone3032]

I have a contest 50, You could try the contest owners group on facebook

[Dougtiff]

Once you get the mast up, you can stabilize with the uppers and lowers attached,along with mizzen sheet, you should be able to figure out how the back stays work, i.e., permanent or running, if running, there will be some kind of attachment, i,e,, highfield lever, block's, maybe 2 to 1, or 2 to 4 maybe with a snap shackle, making it easy to remove, when you tack or jibe, remember, the mizzen sheet helps stabilize the mast.

[Polar Opposite]

My Contest 32 CS backstay is rigged with a small vang-type 4-to-1 block and line arrangement, attached to a snap shackle. As other people have noted, you loosen the vang, detach the shackle, and switch the backstay to the opposite side of the mizzen boom before tacking.

[unbusted67]

Originally Posted by Polar Opposite

I own a Contest 32 CS ketch. The backstay is a detachable "running backstay"...you actually switch it from side to side whenever you tack/jibe.

It's a unique setup, for certain.

Would you be able to attach a pic of your setup? I am also running into confusion about how the mizzen sheet is meant to be setup.