"Gordon" wrote in message
...
In Johns book "The Seaworthy offshore Sailboat" he states on page 35, "an
inner forestay needs to be opposed by running backstays."
On page 41 he states "every stay on the forward side of the spar must be
backed up by another aft of the mast. So if you have an inner forestay
that does not go to the top of the mast, you will need to rig two running
backstays to counteract its forward pull, one for each jibe."
What is he saying?
All cutters must have running backstays?

Gordon

What is he saying?
All cutters must have running backstays?

Well it sounds like that is what he is saying but there are cutters with no
running backstays, Valiant 40 for example. Then some people add running
backstays to sloops to use in heavy weather so it depends on the boat design
and conditions you sail in.