Question on 25+ Split Backstay/Tensioner

[CeeJay]

Greetings! I'm new to the forum, a first time boat owner (although long time sailor) and have just purchased an '81 25+. It's been a while since she was well loved so I'm finding a few things needing some fixing.

I have a split backstay and my adjuster system seems to be missing the tensioner blocks and line that adjust the sheave. I'm also not completely sure where they attach to on the rail. There are 2 small padeyes attached to the rail just outside the stay chainplate, but they don't seem positioned correctly to attach the block/line at a proper angle. They also don't seem robust enough, but idk.

So my questions are: Where do I attach the lower block and line? What size tensioner blocks will do the job?

The second photo was borrowed from another post on here to show what I'm trying to accomplish.

Thanks for any guidance you can offer. Photos helpful.

 

[Dave G.]

I ended up using dyneema loops and attached it to the pins that hold the backstay to the chainplate. Mine had just enough space between the tang and chainplate to wrap the loops around the pins. Check to see if there's enough gap on yours to do the same. Can't really see yours clearly in that pic. I think mine were 5mm x 100mm Ronstans.

Dyneema® Link, 5mm x ID 100mm

www.ronstan.com

 

[CeeJay]

I ended up using dyneema loops and attached it to the pins that hold the backstay to the chainplate. Mine had just enough space between the tang and chainplate to wrap the loops around the pins. Check to see if there's enough gap on yours to do the same. Can't really see yours clearly in that pic. I think mine were 5mm x 100mm Ronstans.

Dyneema® Link, 5mm x ID 100mm

www.ronstan.com

I've never seen those before.
I realize my photo isn't that great. My post was last minute. I'll get a better one this week.

 

[klb67pgh]

I ended up using dyneema loops and attached it to the pins that hold the backstay to the chainplate. Mine had just enough space between the tang and chainplate to wrap the loops around the pins. Check to see if there's enough gap on yours to do the same. Can't really see yours clearly in that pic. I think mine were 5mm x 100mm Ronstans.

Dyneema® Link, 5mm x ID 100mm

www.ronstan.com

Thats my boat in the second photo and I made dyneema loops to connect to the clevis pins connecting the split back stay to the chainplates. I will see if I have better photos.

 

[klb67pgh]

You can kind of see in this picture.

 

[gabriel]

I bought a premade boom vang from Garhauer. It’s works well on my e25.

The tensioner can pretty much be attached anywhere. Starboard aft chainplate area is normal.

4 to 1 Rope Vangs 25-UAB 4-1 | Garhauer

4 to 1 Rope Vangs

www.garhauermarine.com

 

[Nick J]

Here's what we did on our 25+:

E25+ - Back Stay Rebuild

I’m quickly learning nothing on a boat is as simple as it seems and nothing goes exactly as planned. The most recent lesson came in the form of tensioning the rig after the compression post was rebuilt. All was going well until I attempted to...

ericsonyachts.org

The system worked well for us.

 

[CeeJay]

Here's a picture of where the padeyes sit relative to the chainplate on the backstay. There's one on both sides and they're mounted outside the chainplate and slightly forward. I think a line on a tensioner block to the sheave would rub along the stay if attached to these.

It's possible those padeyes are for the bimini, which is damaged and not currently installed, so I'm not positive on that.
I've had 2 skippers with more experience than I have take a look and they're as perplexed as I am about where the tensioner system would attach.

 

[Dave G.]

I would not attach it to those padeyes for sure. The best option is attach it to the chainplates. Can't see the forward side of the chainplate connection to see how long that pin is but maybe you can add another short tang to clip onto ? Probably a SS 3/16" x 3/4"x 2" with appropriate size holes + washers would work. If there's not enough space to sandwich it in there you would have to get a longer pin.

 

[Nick J]

You can use Schaefer triangle plates (or a similar product from another manufacturer)

Schaefer Triangle Plates - Multi-Point Rigging Connections | West Marine

Schaefer Triangle Plates - Multi-point rigging connections, smooth edges and corrosion-ready stainless steel for lifelines, shrouds & custom hardware layouts.

www.westmarine.com

It would allow you to keep everything on the chainplates. This one is just an example, make sure you purchase the correct model according to the clevis pin size.

 

[CeeJay]

Thank you both for confirming what I thought about the padeyes and for the suggestions. I'll have someone local take a look with me about adding something like you suggested.