Jonathan Ganz wrote:
In article ,
Scout wrote:
"Ellen MacArthur" wrote in message
reenews.net...
"Scout" wrote
| the mast, she is raised!
| http://sports.webshots.com/photo/281...97509592kFvzbv


What's that skinny thing on the back of the mast on top? How come the
stay doesn't
bend it down? It looks like it's connected right on the very end of
it.....
For some reason they extended the back stay attachment. I guess it keeps the
stay out of the path of the mainsail. My Starwind's mainsail would get hung
up in the backstay from time to time. Maybe this is their answer to the same
problem?
Scout

You've got to admit that it does look a bit strange.


Back when we were still at Muskegon Yacht Club, I noticed that the
Melges 24's all had that and so I asked one of the guys why...he said
that it kept the main from hanging up on fast tacks when racing...
http://www.melges.com/24melges.html