Proper backstay tension on Sabre 386

[plindheimer]

Hello all,

I recently purchased a 2007 Sabre 386 and I had a rigging inspection done to make my insurance happy.

I have a hydraulic backstay and the rigger told me the maximum load when fully cranked only reaches 11% of breaking tension. He has advised me that the backstay should be shortened so that unloaded it's at 5% so that it can be cranked up to 15% or higher as conditions require.

Before shortening the stay, I thought i would ask if this sounds right or if there are other considerations that may be unique to the Sabre 386. She's a keel stepped swept back double spreader rig.

Thanks for anyone who may have familiarity with this!

[fallingeggs]

Originally Posted by plindheimer

Hello all,

I recently purchased a 2007 Sabre 386 and I had a rigging inspection done to make my insurance happy.

I have a hydraulic backstay and the rigger told me the maximum load when fully cranked only reaches 11% of breaking tension. He has advised me that the backstay should be shortened so that unloaded it's at 5% so that it can be cranked up to 15% or higher as conditions require.

Before shortening the stay, I thought i would ask if this sounds right or if there are other considerations that may be unique to the Sabre 386. She's a keel stepped swept back double spreader rig.

Thanks for anyone who may have familiarity with this!

I don't have an answer, but you should ask the Sabre forum. Someone there might know.

https://beta.groups.yahoo.com/neo/gr...esailboat/info

If no answers here or there, give Sabre an email. I hear they are happy to talk about their sailboats.

[neilpride]

Originally Posted by plindheimer

Hello all,

I recently purchased a 2007 Sabre 386 and I had a rigging inspection done to make my insurance happy.

I have a hydraulic backstay and the rigger told me the maximum load when fully cranked only reaches 11% of breaking tension. He has advised me that the backstay should be shortened so that unloaded it's at 5% so that it can be cranked up to 15% or higher as conditions require.

Before shortening the stay, I thought i would ask if this sounds right or if there are other considerations that may be unique to the Sabre 386. She's a keel stepped swept back double spreader rig.

Thanks for anyone who may have familiarity with this!

Fractional rig or masthead sloop?

[fallingeggs]

Masthead.

[neilpride]

Originally Posted by fallingeggs

Masthead.

Then i guess your rigger is probably right, you should see some rake aft with the backstay tensioned , 11% is not much but probably ok, i dont know if your rigger check forestay tension with the backstay at full, and i dont know the angle in your spreaders , sweep back spreaders tend to tension the forestay...
Anyway cutting the wire a inch or 2 and install a stalock or swage terminal is not a big deal.....Cheers.

[zstine]

Yes, you should be able to tension more than 11%. Of course the tension you run on the backstay is determined by the shape you want in the head sail. When going to weather in a stiff breeze, you will need to crank that backstay up to reduce sag in the the headstay so you can point and flatten the jib. I would consider 25% of breaking strength a minimum capability of your adjuster and wouldn't hurt to be able to go slightly more. I have a turnbuckle above my hydraulic tensioner. It allows course adjustment, but also a backup which was real handy when I blew a seal in the hydraulics while making way to weather in 30+ knts. I was able to get a decent amount of tension back with the turnbuckle even though the hydraulic ram full extended. It allowed me to continue to sail to wind, which I would not have been able to do without the turnbuckle.
BUT Before you go cutting your stay. Check how she sails and how the jib looks. If you have a lot of weather helm, you can shorten the forestay in it's turnbuckle (probably a mechanism within the furler). Shortening the headstay will allow you to get more tension in the backstay. And if you a fair weather sailor, not racing, then 11% may be fine for how you sail.

[Dave Lochner]

Originally Posted by fallingeggs

I don't have an answer, but you should ask the Sabre forum. Someone there might know.

https://beta.groups.yahoo.com/neo/gr...esailboat/info

If no answers here or there, give Sabre an email. I hear they are happy to talk about their sailboats.

Another vote for the Sabre group. Very knowledgeable folks, roughly 1000 of us on the list.

Dave