Sailing: Backstay adjustment

[@chuckmobile]

All instructional vids should be like this a straightforward and common sense approach.

[@fishing314]

I am a beginer sailor and i have been watching all of your videos on sailing and youv'e answered pretty much all of my questions. I like that you explain things very well, slow and clear. Iv'e learned a lot just by you. Thanks a ton

[@kevinsweeney5836]

Great explanation and love the style of narration. Great job!

[@AlexMotan1]

Thank you for this presentation - before that I did not know how to use the backstay adjuster in our advantage. Very professional.

[@sdamon7]

Thank you, clear and concise on answering my basic questions. Now I have the foundation to go into more depth.

[@martygingras8683]

I really like these videos and the punchline of this video is spot on, but there are a couple of BIG AND IMPORTANT ERRORS in this video. (1) The first is his statement that tensioning the backstay on a fractional boat will not increase headstay tension, when in fact it will add a lot of tension to the headstay. This is something that's easy to measure, is related to headstay 'sag', and sailmakers use adjustment in the amount of headstay sag to make jibs more versatile. (2) The second is his statement that tensioning the backstay on a masthead boat will not bend the mast, when in fact how much it'll bend the mast depends on the mast and the backstay adjuster. I'm currently racing on a 37-foot masthead boat that gets about 4 columns (~24 inches) of mastbend when the backstay is on fully and we reduce bend from the maximum by playing the checkstays.

[@Bowman339]

Agree with your first point. We used to go almost block to block on the backstay to take out headstay sag. Fractional rig. Just retuned the rig and don't need it on quite as tight now. Never sailed on a masthead rig.

[@hersailor]

This is over the head of some but I feel in principals this feeds other realms. To learn this in theory will help you in other ways not foreseeable. The guy is clever and a good teacher who conveys knowledge in a most palatable way.

[@mboyer68]

I went from sunfish and other little lake boats to windsurfing...completely addicted to windsurfing, then to beach catamarans, now looking for my first big sailing yacht..30 to 35. Just trying to understand fractional rig versus mast head. With my background...I'm definitely going to look for a fractional rig sailboat! Having the option to make adjustments versus no option to make adjustments...I'm going to choose the option to adjust! Thank you for the video

[@allangillis9159]

This was VERY helpful! Thank you! I like your attitude!

[@delphwest]

Settled a discussion we were having last race. Great video. Thanks!

[@ericgraigUK]

An excellent video on the back stay adjustment. I can't wait to try it. What I don't have, and could really use, was some sense of how much to bend the mast. My boat has an adjustable back stay but it hardly move when I haul on it.

[@WILSON.1]

Great explanation, thank you. It’s hard for me to understand how curving back the mast actually flattens the sails, though, I know that’s what it does. It seems like that would create more of a camber.

[@fenui]

Because the bend in the middle also means it will pull the front edge of the mainsail forward, hence the flatter profile

[@fenui]

Because the bend in the middle also means it will pull the front edge of the mainsail forward, hence the flatter profile

[@methorogood]

Superb explanation. It makes a complex concept simple. Many thanks.

[@franklinrwful]

Very informative with a nice humourous touch.

[@edfrhes]

You make it easy to understand. Great video lesson. Thank you.

[@BishwaOakes]

Great series of instructional videos PP!

[@ppconsultant]

Well..for a casual sail, yes, why not? But truth is its best to adjust it as the wind increases or decreases, or if upwind or downwind, right? If you can, why not sail better? Some Back Stays are a pain to adjust and I have sailed in boats where yu need to wind a wheel or use a handle to adjust it..those I see your point, but if you have a fast adjusting one, its just another useful tool to use. Thanks

[@davidlewis8811]

Great videos mate... A very solid effort, that will help a lot of people.

[@Coquina17]

Thanks for posting. I'll try this out on my Knickerbocker One design this week. Its got a huge main and a fractional rig, so this should help in stronger winds.

[@mikerc6391]

awesome videos...Keep it Straight and Simple....way to go!

[@a.bakker64]

Tensioning the backstay not only flattens the sail, it also creates a twist, a wind release, high in the Backward. This will also create less tilt

[@tetedepoulet]

Great video and explanation. I raced with some guys who would sometimes always tweak the backstay first on the windward runs. I would perhaps have had a reading of the knots before and after the backstay adjustments to show velocity change. Also, a shot from the base of the mast straight up to show the bend might have been good.

[@michaelthompson3681]

Great videos, very informative, excellent visuals.

[@jack887]

Thanks so much for this excellent explanation! Very clear now. And a beautiful boat with a first rate helmsman.

[@josemariatrueba4568]

Nice explanation, thanks. Only one important matter was missing though. You shouldn't apply backstay without increasing main luff tension because draft in mainsail moves aft which is just the opposite of what we need. First of all is to apply Cunningham tension BEFORE applying more backstay tension.

[@Zippy1357]

Awesome video. I love the commentary at the end.

[@Dawned-13]

Great video.....was able to comprehend some complicated material. I have watched several of your videos and like the way you illustrate the subject or object you are talking about. The only thing I had trouble with is sometimes understanding what angle or direction the illustration was referring to. Thank you

[@hellsawyer]

Great videos very easy to understand. Thanks

[@speedmachine69]

First class video.... most informative, many thanks.

[@whitetail7516]

Thanks for sharing, great video and information.

[@petem6354]

Genius . . . what a gift for teaching. Thanks!

[@navybrat103]

This is an awesome job. Thanks! Been trying to get into racing J/24's and had no clue about backstays (came from 420's)

[@druidae1492]

Hey man, Thank you. You are good at conveying information. :) Make more instructional videos please. :)

[@wsoxman5375]

Use this on my RC boats. outstanding results.

[@lindrosfesta2327]

same

[@spacecowboy123dallas]

Great Video, Thanks for taking the time to inform and help others.

[@caufra]

Great explanation i understand it now thanks very much. From a keen learner.

[@sawdoctony]

good video - as you say try it out on your own boat. Thanks for posting!

[@DallasABabineaux]

NOW! I finally understand this adjustment. Thank you so much for the instructional video.

[@mbiriviri]

Terrific video. In a sea of youtube vacuous videos here is a helpful clear presentation thanks

[@elBorrachoGuapo]

For simplicity sake assume the boom, and the points where the mast meets the forestay and deck do not move. While backstay tension moves the masthead down and aft a little bit, the majority of the mast's length is bowing forward. You get more stretch parallel to the triangle's shortest side (foot) and just a little slack along it's longer sides. I suppose the ratio gains you an advantage, be really just focus on the idea that the sail is flattening horizontally which is how the wind blows.

[@altazboy]

very imformative and enjoyable narrative..

[@davideshafer]

I have an in-boom roller furling system so I can reef my sails in a few seconds. I havent had to mess with my back stay ever. I also dont really care how long it takes to get somewhere, as long as my beer sypply lasts i'm cool.

[@williamfreeman2146]

nice

[@chuckdilmore2040]

As always - very informative! Thank you!

[@Clearly69]

Excellent videos, much more informative than expertvillage. Thanks!

[@RH-lz3om]

Fantastic videos. Thank you. What can I do to flatten the main sail with a masthead rig. And, why have a back stay tensioner on a masthead rig? Many thanks!

[@FromGamingwithLove0456]

You asked this awhile ago so not sure you'll get this or still care- I don't imagine you'd have an adjustable backstay if you didn't have a system that would support it on the forestay side. Many roller furling systems (for example) "extend" (with an inner and outer sleeve of sorts) to allow for mast flexion aft- providing an equal opportunity for a masthead rig to benefit from the adjustable backstay. Others (though I'm not familiar with them I've heard tell of these) have adjustable forestays... So as you have recognized in THIS video- if there is no way for the forestay to be adjusted there is no point to have adjusted back stay tension... however in many cases a masthead rig boat that HAS an adjustable backstay will have some way to extend the forestay / roller furling setup.

[@martygingras8683]

He's mistaken about a couple of things in this video. Many (many) masthead boats flatten the mainsail by pulling on the backstay to bend the mast. Other masthead boats are not set up that way though, in which case to flatten the mainsail you must pull on the outhaul and --- if the mainsail has one --- pull on the flattener (a sort of cross between an outhaul and a reef). Don't forget to pull on the cunningham, because though it doesn't flatten the main it moves the draft forward and that's good when it's windy.

[@bossagypsy731]

really great video. I have a question - I have two adjustable backstays (running) going from the top down to the port and sboard on the stern - there is also a fixed backstay. The boats is not a fast 7.5 metres - . I am supposed to adjust the stays every time i tack or jybe - this is a real pain, is it necessary?

[@MonkeySpecs301]

tensioning the backstay brings the tip of the mast down, and shrinking the triangle created by the clew, tack, head........how does this tighten the sail? Wouldn't it loosen it? I am newbie, please explain. Thanks for the vid!!

[@bazarrebloggs7280]

Yes, my IOM yacht (fractional mast) if I pull tension on backstay it pulls more shape and camber into the sail - the opposite of what he is saying here.

[@martygingras8683]

@@bazarrebloggs7280 Perhaps a language thing or that radio-controlled boats are somehow rigged differently. On a 'normal' boat with a bendy mast (either fractional or masthead) and good backstay adjuster, bending the mast reduces camber/power of the main AND the jib.

[@edwardchilds8470]

Great explanation, thanks!

[@sawdoctony]

good video - thank you. one query please if my boat is heeling excesively i usually let the main sheet down the traveller. I normally adjust the back stay at the start of the sail for the expected wind conditions and do not adjust it thereafter. would you agree with this approach?

[@ppconsultant]

yes, it could be badly tensioned, or badly adjusted. You should still notice the mid mast section go forward..its subtle, but goes. Also, when the mast tip tips aft, the sail leech maintains the same length, so when you sheet in, the sail will flatten as well.

[@mariodeclercq2298]

Nice explaination , thx my boat is fractional rigged . didnt knew the benifits . now i know :)

[@martygingras8683]

Pulling the backstay on a fractional boat tightens the headstay. That's actually very important, because that tension reduces headstay 'sag' and thus draft of the jib. Playing the backstay thus simultaneously depowers (or powers up) both the main and the jib.

[@jamtree9746]

very good explanation.

[@gjersoef]

Good video, nice explanation, easier to understand, tnx a lot!

[@SailBuddha]

I'm not sure that pulling the back-stay decreases camber. What I have noticed is that it opens the upper leach of the main thus spilling off more air. The effect is the same as what you say though: depowering the main.

[@spot2be]

This seems backwards. I would think that tightening the backstay (bending the mast backwards) would allow the sail to fill with more wind which would cause more draft in the sail ... much like releasing the tension on the outhaul allows more wind in the sail resulting in more draft. Would appreciate any help with my understanding this better.

[@MonkPetite]

Thanks for explaining..

[@loyly]

Thanks for your videos, they are great. QUESTION: I just tried how the backstay tension affects the mast shape in my fractional-rig boat. I did this without sails - I suppose it doesn't matter. Tensioning the backstay only bent the very top of the of the mast. I hardly noticed any bending below the point where the forestay is attached to the mast. (Is my mast/rig badly trimmed?) So that being the case, wouldn't the effect in sail performance be about increasing twist and thus reducing heeling?

[@Cacheola]

10 years later... same with my little 222, but I'm thinking the front stay needs more tension and we'll then see the full curve

[@loyly]

@@Cacheola ...or are the shrouds too tight?

[@adam56usa]

Thanks for the clear explanation.

[@matthiafox]

At 4:25 you say sthg like "less camber -> less lift -> less sail efficiency". By sail efficiency do you intend the L/D ratio? Because I would guess that, like a wing with no flaps, the efficiency is better with low camber. Sure there is less lift but also much less drag. And indeed you say at the end of the vid that in strong conditions, the boat will be faster. Would this be possible with less sail efficiency? Fantastic vid BTW, thanks a lot !

[@STRUTZKOFF]

Hello. Thanks for your explanation, In rough seas If stand at the shroud And look up I see the mast bending ( fractional rig ) I assume it’s when gusts of wind hit the head sail and pull on a forestay. Is this ok ? I am Worried the cost flexing will break the mast ? I also have stay sail hailyard that i tension to limit the bending ( no inner forstay but a stormstail on a luff rope)

[@veli-mattijarvinen596]

Mast top rigged boats, when done right (like Swans :)), will bend the mast easily with a hydraulic tensioner. Trying that with hands even with a pulley is not going to work.

[@radbcc]

Great stuff...thanks

[@mikebellaire3195]

Great video.

[@Smakenzi]

I personally find the "accelerated air -> depression/slowed air -> pressure" explanation counter-intuitive. The cause and effect seems to be the other way around: the wind is blowing against the sail, the sail blocks the air from escaping, thus air pressure builds up. On the leeward side the sail blocks the air from coming in (the one trapped windward's), thus depression builds up (perhaps then the air from a higher pressure region rushes in, resulting in an accelerated air flow).

[@anthonyfrattalone9937]

i don't understand why you say that increasing tension on the backstay on a masthead won't increase tension on the forestay. i can see how it would be less tension, but it still will at it, no?

[@slavedriver394]

Interesting, but the comment that increasing tension on the backstay on a fractional rig does not increase the tension on the forestay is incorrect - a simple resolution of forces can show this.

[@ppconsultant]

if you say so, who am I to contradict!!...(me and all the other people racing boats around the world, from the America's Cup to the smallest club organized event)..

[@Peccenit]

Too much useful, thank you a lot !

[@Horriblebastad]

Lifejackets ?

[@pigfigjig]

Legendary. Dudes👍👍👍❤️❤️

[@JayBirdOnPc]

The backstay on a full head rigged boat doesn't bend the boat, that would mean that the backstay and headstay and the chainplates and fittings are stronger than the backbone of the boat. The backstay would still cause the mast to bend back just like a fractional rig.

[@wilfdarr]

joey L No it would increase mast rake, not mast bend. joecoopersailing.com/mast-rake-versus-mast-bend/

[@martygingras8683]

@@wilfdarr Nope. Rake is set by the length of the headstay and placement of the mast step, and has nothing to do with variations backstay tension (except when sailing downwind with a lot of backstay adjustment).

[@wilfdarr]

@@martygingras8683 I think you need to read both comments again...

[@martygingras8683]

@@wilfdarr I read and re-read them closely, and I'm eager to problem-solve. Are you saying that I mis-interpreted the comments? Are you saying that rake is not set by the length of the headstay and placement of the mast step? Are you saying that rake is caused by varying backstay tension when sailing up wind?

[@wilfdarr]

@@martygingras8683 He's talking about mast bend, not mast rake and my comments were specifically addressing that: On a masthead rig, yes, rake is primarily set with the headstay, BUT backstay tension adds headstay tension and therefore to some extent at least, it will contribute to rake (especially as you noted when sailing downwind): at any rate it has more effect on rake than it will have on mast bend! If you're bending the mast using the compression from the forestay and backstay down to the mast step, you're going to break [something]: the system is simply not designed for those loads. If you want to induce mast bend in a masthead rig it's done in the shrouds, not in the stays.

[@willbill49]

i your video....very clear and helpful. thank you...

[@DaveWatts_ejectamenta]

Can you reef with backstay tension on?

[@swimcat2333]

My husband did this On the 24 Foot O day and popped the chain Plates In the 3rd world We hat to go to a machine shop To get replacement part Made

[@terryhagan7694]

surly, tension the back-stay will bend the mast causing more "Belly" in the sail

[@wilfdarr]

Terry Hagan No he is correct: when a sail is sewn for a fractional rig it has a little extra material in the front. Bending the mast takes up that extra material in the front flattening the sail. Doing it this way gives a nicer belly shape to the sail and makes a situation where bending the mast flattens your jib and mainsail simultaneously so you don't have to play with the jib halyard tension once you have it set up.

[@tank4505]

Great Vid. Thanks

[@lipmanss]

thnx for answer my question i was searching some answers and u gave those :D:D thnx grtz lip

[@stanburdick9708]

good info , thanx

[@scottcates]

Thank you!

[@robbanks1686]

Gracias

[@jedslather]

Thanks for sharing....

[@robbanks1686]

Awesomeness

[@MonkeySpecs301]

how does tensionin the backstay also tension the luff? Wouldn't the sail collapse if the tip of the mast is pulled down and back?....which is what tensioning the backstay does.

[@wilfdarr]

MonkeySpecs301 When a sail is sewn for a fractional rig it has a little extra material in the front. Bending the mast takes up that extra material in the front flattening the sail. Doing it this way gives a nicer belly shape to the sail and makes a situation where bending the mast flattens your jib and mainsail simultaneously so you don't have to play with the jib halyard tension once you have it set up.

[@gerrys6265]

What I saw was a boat overpowered (with too much sail up)....unless you are racing of course - racers do all sorts of crazy things and put up with discomfort to win. Rail in the water is not a comfortable way to sail.

[@piafes]

thxgood simple and useful

[@salman000]

a small bend in the mast is not gonna change anything much.

[@tobyque9399]

So, the backstay cannot be adjusted on a masthead rig?

[@drawingboard82]

Toby Que yes, it can, and it has the same effect. on a masthead rig it bends the mast so that the centre of the mast moves forward. this drags the sail with it, flattening the sail. with a masthead rig it's probably more important to release the backstay downwind because otherwise you run the risk of folding the mast in half.

[@tobyque9399]

drawingboard82 Thanks!

[@tobyque9399]

Wilfred Darr thanks for the advice!

[@HelderNevesHelderNeves]

Mta bom!

[@ppconsultant]

no..just in the Swahili version you see here..sorry. I have one in Zulu, but the whistles sound bad on tape

[@CajunWolffe]

Excellent answer! Thanks for the video, I learned this as a kid back in the 60s, but nowadays everyone sails automated boats, and few actually know how to sail, well.

[@danerlea7318]

A favor do vento você solta o backstay ?!

[@ppconsultant]

sim, mas noa todo. Convem ter um pouco de tensao. Espcialmente em barcos de regata.

[@salman000]

air does not go faster on the leeward side,

[@jean.chauliac3001]

Colonel Hans Landa as a narrator

[@jolllyroger1]

To much misleading info Flat sails can be more efficient and full bellt sails can be more efficient depending on conditions....

[@jolllyroger1]

This video is misleading in to many ways ... And when he says the boat is over heeled it was just tilting the camera lol and it's obvious.... Saying increased tension in the back stay dosent increase tension in the forstay is wrong as well... In either setup tension increases in the forstay... A full belly gives power that will pull the boat thru waves and accelerates out of big waves... A flat sail will have less power to accelerate from waves

[@wilfdarr]

"What happens is simple"...

[@leggolandia]

Awesome video. I'm gonna go beat the hell out of my neighbor now!!

[@seeuathebeach]

A little boy at the helm without life jacket and with the boat over heeling🙈 An arrogant and pretentious narrator 🙈 You must be kidding 😂

[@jjjason36]

wrong

[@lorneserpa5888]

Thank you!