Backstays

Mast, Boom, Standing and Running Rigging, Furler System, Reefing, Barberhauler, Lazyjack etc
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Dave
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri 20 Aug 10, 20:10
Your Country: England, Solent

Backstays

Post by Dave »

The backstay fiddle blocks on our 920 have integral snapshackles, and over time these have distorted. Is it standard for the blocks to be attached using snapshackles? Is there a reason for this? Is there a problem with replacing them with ordinary shackles (we don't plan to trail the boat frequently if at all)?
gminkovsky
Posts: 210
Joined: Wed 01 Nov 06, 19:58
Your Country: USA, Long Island Sound

Post by gminkovsky »

You probably have one of the older boats where the adjustable backstay would be also used as a preventer going downwind. You would disconnect it from the backstay and connect to the boom. Before the next gybe or before going upwind you would reconnect it to the backstay. That was the reason for the snapshackle.

There is no reason why you can't replace it with a regular shackle. My boat (88) has only regular shackles on backstays and a separate preventer.
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