Mark, IMHO, the best approach to backstay tensioning on an M-17 is to use a split backstay car (Johnson Marine 38-203) connected to the padeye on the port side of the transom by a four-part tensioner. I made one up using a Trapeze and Vang cleat (Duckworks, SD-002530) connected to the car and a small fiddle block (Duckworks, RL-378-A) connected to the transom. The whole setup is about $100. The vang cleat has a block and built-in clam cleat that makes tensioning a breeze. I normally leave it untensioned when on the trailer, which leaves the mast ready to be unshipped, and adjust it as necessary under way. I also have a CDI furler, but even without one it's difficult to pin the forestay with the backstay under tension. Now I think of it, maybe it's only a three-part connection, but what the heck, it works. If the shrouds are over-tensioned, you'll have trouble raising the mast. When adjusted right (taut, but not tight), you should be able to get the mast up and down without much if any adjustment to the shrouds. Best, Rick M-17 #633 Lynne L On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 12:17 AM, Mark House <itsmark@bresnan.net> wrote:
Seems like almost every M-17 owner leaves the backstay and shrouds attached when trailering. With a CDI furler on my forestay, it would be difficult to pin the stay to the bow fitting, unless the backstay is loosened. Seems to me that a Johnson Quick Release Lever would allow the mast to move forward enough to easily pin the forestay. Then a quick closing of the lever would tension up the backstay. Does anyone out there do such a thing? Is there any danger of over-tensioning the shrouds if they are left attached without loosening?
Thanks, Mark House World's Slowest M-17 Rigger _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
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