Tom, Since the backstay tang is bolted to the hull, the deck molding is not a structural part of the backstay, so the stress cracks in the coaming are not an issue by themselves. However, they may be an indication of the hull flexing. Some hull flexing is expected, and there should be enough "give" at the chainplate/deck fitting to prevent damage. The real question is did the hull flex excessivly?
I went to a split backstay on my '76, and it was fairly easy, but only because I cut access hole in the back of the cocpit coaming. The holes were cut to accommodate 6 inch Beckson screw-in deck plates. I used SS bolts and fender washers on the outside, and sandwiched a piece of wood between the tang and the hull on the inside. You can get a surprizingly large piece of wood through the hole before the deckplate ring is installed. I have a 12:1 adjuster, and regularly sail in 20+ Kt. Bob Stockley Sundance #2436 --- In [email protected], "Tom" <tcau...@...> wrote: > > 1st Question > Do it or Don't? > > Yes I'm trying to Slowly get the boat into racing form. I've already: > ** updated to a New 155% Jib, and a new North Main > **brought the jib cars up to the cockpit combing (what a Difference that made > in the look of the jib and the way the boat points). > **Doubled the Vang to 8:1 > All the shrouds have the upgraded plates and the bulkheads are New this > season. > Here is the issue. I just did the Good old Boat Regatta when it Blew 20-25 on > Day one and 2-5 on Day two. I really had to crank on the backstay (center > loaded) to get tension on the headstay and since the regatta I have a New > major stress crack from the backstay tang all the way down to the builders > plate. (Of course I did not release the tension off the backstay after it > blew on Saturday). > > So, to that concern I will have to inspect and repair any broken backbone I > find before sailing again. I hope I did not really break its back! > > Has anyone else experienced this repair? Any tips? > > How easy it is to retrofit a 1975 std Rig to a Split backstay? What am I up > aginst? > > Tom C > Kiona > West River, Md. > STd Rig Traditonal/ Outboard >
