[Brian Duff]

Running Backstays, their effectiveness and use, are a function both of the power available to control them AND the ability of the mast section (and the way it is tuned static) being able to allow the runners to control the mast.

IIRC you have a big Ketch with two headsails, the inner staysail being the one which you desire to support with these runners? When setting up runners to control the tension on the inner forestay, a great amount of power is needed - on your boat I THINK that a 1:1 runner to your weather genoa winch, which is probably a 46:1, would be effective. Be sure the mast is tuned with some prebend, such that once you apply the runners you do not invert the mast section and ruin mainsail shape. On bigger boats i suggest a 2:1 before hitting the weather genoa winch, anyway.

While most boats come stock with 4:1 runner tackles, and while this may be effective purchase for a 28-32' boat, that doesn't mean that 4:1 is the best choice, or even suitable for bigger boats. We have modified many 45'-65' boats that came with 4:1 runners that were not effective. While these runners will indeed prevent the mast section from buckling under staysail stay loads, 4:1 will not allow you to add inner forstay tension or control that forestay for wind conditions. of course, you could lead that tackle to the winch, but then you have two problems - its REALLY difficutl to get the line out of the cam cleat on the lower block unless you relead it and apply load again AND now you have way excessive purchase, be careful not to break anything!

4:1 tackles are much more difficult to work with underway than a 1:1 or 2:1 runner with retractor, the 4 part purchase doens't haul in or easy out of the way of boom easily, the upper block and tackle gives the system a lot of weight which means it needs to me kept under control on the leeward side so people and boat parts don't get hurt, in order to retract that system someone needs to unshackle the bottom block and walk it forward to the shrouds then tension the system again, what PITA.

Save the weight, the expense, wear and tear on the boat and the hassel under way cut the block and tackle and just run your runners from that un-used windward winch!