Hi Howard- The outer holes are for the backstay bridle, and either of the inboard ones are for the adjuster, depending on how you rig it. I'll need the lengths of your wires to duplicate them, but if they have studs on the bottom (screwing into the turnbuckles) they can be replaced without replacing the turnbuckles. Sounds like the wires might be alright from your description; is the boat in saltwater or fresh? If you want, I'll inspect them and tell you what I think and which ones need to be replaced, if any. You might look at my website. www.innercite.com/~jmbn Jerry ----- Original Message ----- From: "Howard Audsley" <haudsley@tranquility.net> To: "Montgomery Boats List" <montgomery_boats@lists.xmission.com>; "Jerry Montgomery" <jmbn@innercite.com> Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 3:59 PM Subject: M_Boats: M17 Backstays

Jerry:

On the 17 stern fittings for the backstays (chain plates?), there are two holes. One is for the backstays. The other is for an adjuster to tension the backstays. Which is which?

Also, with all this talk of Sandra's shrouds giving out, it occurs to me that the rigging on "Audasea" may be the original....on a 1978 boat. What would I need to do to have you build me a new set? Do you need the existing stuff? I don't see any problems with any of them.....no meat hooks, rusty fittings, etc. Just a few slightly worn rings holding on the terminal pins. Most of the turnbuckles are new.

Howard

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