[jimgolding]

This past winter I replaced the standing rigging on our 32' sloop, which has a split backstay. I have since noticed that the lower backstays do not make a straight line with the strap-type chainplates on the transom to which they attach. Reviewing photos taken before the project, I see this was also the case with the previous rigging.

This bothers me.

There are turnbuckles at the base of each lower backstay, just as the boat was originally rigged. I have seen some boats that have, instead, a single turnbuckle above the triangle plate - this seems like a good solution for ensuring the lower backstays make a predictably fair lead to the chainplates, as long as the TB is easily reached.

Does anyone have comments on the preferred location of the TB(s) in a split backstay setup? Any other comments are welcome, too.