CD31 backstay length ?

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Chris Van

CD31 backstay length ?

Post by Chris Van »

Can anyone give me exact measurments for backstay on a CD31? I sent my backstay to a rigger who's unfortunately dropped off the face of the earth. Spring approaches! It's time to get the stick up! Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks, Chris



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Lyn Heiges

Re: CD31 backstay length ?

Post by Lyn Heiges »

Chris Van wrote: Can anyone give me exact measurments for backstay on a CD31? I sent my backstay to a rigger who's unfortunately dropped off the face of the earth. Spring approaches! It's time to get the stick up! Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks, Chris
Chris,

I guess that the CD31 hadn't been invented when my Cape Dory Owners Manual was written in 1978 and Third Edition printed in October 1979. It has only the following information for the CD30 which matches the CD28 data. There are no dimensions for lengths of any of the standing rigging. The only data they give is the maximum distance between the end of swage fitting on the top end of the turnbuckle and the clevis pin hole in the other end of the turnbuckle that the turnbuckle should be opened. That dimension for the cutter version is given as 15 5/8-inches. I know that is not of much help and the data was provided for the initial and subsequent rigging of the boat when the mast is stepped.

The best suggestion is to call Robinhood Yachts in Maine where Andy Vavolotis (the original owner of Cape Dory Yachts, Inc.) is these days. He or one of the others can probably give you specific data. I can find no other data in my books and I doubt it was really ever published.

If you can find an owner of a CD31 you might be able to get that person to attach a tape measure with a bail on the end of the tape (like used for geographical surveying) and have that hooked to their main halyard and pulled up to the masthead and the tape run down their backstay. DON'T FORGET TO ADD THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE END OF THE SCHAKLE AND THE FORE-END OF THE BAIL FOR ACCURACY!!! Further, I would suggest the same be done with the forestay and shrouds because the two masts might be of different lengths/heights. By comparing the data with that of your standing rigging, by simple triangulation you should be able to determine very accurately the required length of the backstay.

Best Wishes,

Lyn Heiges
CD28 MOON CHILD



lheiges@compuserve.com
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