Off-Center Backstay Chainplate Location?

[Saint Somewhere]

I am new to sailing and just purchased my first sailboat, a 1981 San Juan 23.

I noticed the chainplate for the backstay is off center on the Port side. Will this, or does this present any problem in tuning the rigging and getting the mast straight? It seems it would always be putting a sideways strain on the mast?

Or should I just not worry about it?

[Cheechako]

It's not that unusual a design. Shouldn't be an issue to tune. The angle is minimal. The backstay is most important for downwind really, although it helps you tune a bend in the mast as needed.

[Saint Somewhere]

Thanks for the reply Cheechako!

[TrentePieds]

Is yours the early model with the rudder hung on the transom and tiller steered? Offsetting the chain plate was a common enuff "workaround" in small boats to avoid the cost and bother of a "split backstay".

There are no tuning implications. The goods in your mast is quite enuff that were it stepped on the keel rather than the deck, it would hardly need staying at all. Similarly, the gauge of you rigging wire is greater than it strictly needs to be. In consequence, I dare say, you'll have given up for the day long before there is any risk to your rigging. I know I would have :-).

Welcome to CF

TrentePieds

[Saint Somewhere]

Yes, the rudder is hung on transom and tiller steered.

[RaymondR]

Should not be a problem, it just puts a slightly increased load on the upper shroud on the opposite side to the offset. With the angles involved with it being just off midships it's very slight.