Re: Backstays
Gordon (hlg@pacbell.net)
Wed, 2 Sep 1998 08:53:47 -0700
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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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> Hello: I was hoping someone could explain to me why the Potter
>doesn't have and apparently doesn't need a backstay. What keeps the mast
>from falling forward, except the down pressure on the side stays? I'm
>sure this is a dumb question, but hey I'm not very bright... Thank you
>Doug Sputnik P14 588 Olympia, WA. PS I haven't sunk my boat yet.
Doug-
The sidestays are attached aft of the mast so they function as both
sidestays and backstays. This seems to work well on smaller boats like the
Potter 15. On the earlier Potters, with gunter rigs, the boom extends over
the transom so a backstay wouldn't be practical.
Some Potter 19s don't have backstays either, but from what I've heard,
their performance is enhanced if a backstay is added.
I was in Olympia this year but didn't have my Potter with me. Where do you
like to sail?
Harry Gordon
P-14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA