Backstay Adjuster:

     Hydraulic Navtec 5/8" Rigging Pin
When this hydraulic backstay adjuster showed up on sale at West Marine my cruising friends thought I had lost my mind, a hydraulic backstay adjuster on a cruising sailboat? One for a 5/8" rigging pin instead of the 1/2" pin the rig was currently setup for... Insanity they said.

While it turned out that installing a large backstay adjuster did involve significant upgrades to the rig (headstay and backstay are completely rigged in 5/8" pins now, upgraded stemhead and stern fittings, upgraded headstay turnbuckle, beefing up the mast step) in the end all of these upgrades resulted in a bulletproof rig.

Then, the proof is in the pudding, hydraulic backstay adjusters are wonderful for cruising! The first observation is that roller furlers work much better

 

Navtec 5/8" Rigging Pin
Note, Pressure relief set for 6,300 pounds instead of 8,600 pounds for 5/16" Rigging wire.

These are great for cruising! The roller furler works much better with the rig tight, the boat sails in light air better with the rig loose, at the dock set the tension enough to keep the rig from moving around! Can't imagine going cruising without it.

 


Navtec Hydraulic Backstay Adjuster

The hydraulic backstay adjuster is installed above a 5/8" toggle and below the backstay insulator. Note the rigging tape protecting crewmembers from being injured on the cotter pin but that there is clearance under the tape for water to run out.