Backstay Adjuster

[wayneking]

My hydraulic backstay adjuster (photo attached) is no longer working. No pressure at all when trying to pump. I honestly don't know much about it nor use it that much. It looks like maybe it's a Harken? Any markings have faded. I'm not sure I want to replace with the same thing since it looks like around a $2500 part. So, wondering what others have done. Is it possible this one can be rebuilt? Maybe buy a cheaper ratchet style adjuster? Other ideas?

Also, I inadvertantly released some backstay tension when playing around with it, probably around an inch more than what it was. Since I can't reapply the tension should I be concerned about the rig? As you can probably tell, backstay adjustment is a weakness in my rigging knowledge.

Thanks,
Wayne King

 

[Loren Beach]

After all these decades it probably needs a rebuild, IMO.
There are quite a few threads on this site concerning the Navtec and similar adjusters. I had our "SailTec" adjuster rebuilt a few years ago, and the technician is a Navtec factory-recommended guy in Seattle. Has some fluid dripped out of yours around the seals? (That was the final "Help me!" symptom for ours as it got older... )

 

[Prairie Schooner]

Hi Wayne,
Having just added one last year, I've got quite a list of links from my research. In no particular order.
. . . (warning: data dump)

Hydraulic to Cascading Backstay Upgrade

When I purchased my 911SE this last summer, the Navtec backstay adjuster was in bad shape. It was gonna cost about $325 to rebuild the unit, assuming nothing major was busted. So I replaced the greasy piston and wire backstay with a double ended, 24:1 cascade, spliced to a dynex dux backstay...

ericsonyachts.org

Navtec Backstay adjuster problem Ericson 35-3

Hello All, I have a Navtec hydraulic Backstay adjuster on our 35-3 that I would like to eliminate. It leaks and does not hold pressure. I would like something simple or eliminate an adjuster all together. Wondering what the options are. Thanks David Poth Ericsson 35-3 1985

ericsonyachts.org

Navtec hydraulic backstay adjuster leaking

This last weekend I was starting preparation for spring launch and I discovered the Navtec hydraulic backstay adjuster has been leaking and lost all of it's oil over the winter. A bit surprising as the adjuster was under no pressure. It looks like the top seal has gone so I'm now looking at my...

ericsonyachts.org

Mechanical Backstay Adjustment

Has anyone had any experience with mechanical backstay adjusters on later model Ericsons? We have an '87 E34 with a new main (1 season) and a new head sail coming in a few weeks to be fitted to the existing Harken II roller furling. I'd like to be able to bend the ast a bit to take up slack...

ericsonyachts.org

Ericson 35-2 Adjustable backstay

Has anyone replaced their backstay with something adjustable? Cinderella came with a Navtec hydraulic cylinder that blew a seal en rout to New Zealand. The hydraulic shop here basically told me they won’t touch it. I’m considering going to a 24:1 cascading setup with Dyneema and some low...

ericsonyachts.org

Mast bend

Another user's post about rigging made me think about this again. When my riggers stepped my mast years ago, they put a lot of bend in the upper part of the mast. Does this look too extreme? You can see slight wrinkles in the aluminum.

ericsonyachts.org

backstay working load

Does anyone know how I can find out the estimated working load of the backstay on an E33 ? We are replacing the high load block (we have it rigged with 1/4" dyneema). This Harken calculator shows an "end boom" working load on the E33 of 1375 lbs (@ 35 kts) . I am not sure what "end boom" WL...

ericsonyachts.org

A couple of E33 R H questions

Just purchased an Ericson 33. I do allot of solo sailing & am thinking the runners on these boats aren't all that critical (structurally) until about 12 knots apparent. What's the consensus on that, I'm just thinking for short tacking here & understand the effects on head-stay...

ericsonyachts.org

https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/adjustable-backstay-on-e-27.19953/

Caring for Your Hydraulic Backstay Adjuster | Rigworks Sailing Systems

Question: How do I best use and maintain my hydraulic backstay adjuster? From the Rigger: Hydraulic cylinders allow us to pull tremendous loads without breaking a sweat and then to release those loads in a quick Read more…

rigworks.com

There's a strong case to be made that coastal cruisers don't need one. All my sail training has been with rapscallion racers so I tend to want to fiddle with it, even if improvements are negligible. I do find going hard to wind that being able to tighten the backstay makes a noticeable difference in handling.
Cheers,
Jeff

 

[Loren Beach]

Here is a link to discussion of our backstay rebuild, also.

Disassembling old hydraulic backstay tensioner

An old hydraulic backstay tensioner came in a box of parts with my boat. I am going to need to replace the rigging anyways which was last done in the 2000s and was wanting to add this. I am wondering if anyone can point me to a manual for how to disassemble these things or if you have a...

ericsonyachts.org

 

[wayneking]

After all these decades it probably needs a rebuild, IMO.
There are quite a few threads on this site concerning the Navtec and similar adjusters. I had our "SailTec" adjuster rebuilt a few years ago, and the technician is a Navtec factory-recommended guy in Seattle. Has some fluid dripped out of yours around the seals? (That was the final "Help me!" symptom for ours as it got older... )

So, it's a Navtec unit? Were they standard equipment? Looks like oil leakage around the top so seems like the problem, lack of fluid, is pretty obvious.

 

[driftless]

Had mine rebuilt in 2022. Same thing - oil leaking out of the top seal.
Left repair in the hands of our yard. Pretty sure they shipped it off to Florida. $694.00.
I do like being able to adjust headstay sag, and supposedly flatten the mail as well, working upwind.
But I'm not sure I like it that much. Make sure you get a solid quote first.