Solent stay only for masthead rigs, or also for fractional rigs?

[jwdorst]

Hello,

Just want to get clarification if there is any reason why a Solent stay couldn't be set up on a fractional rig (swept spreaders, mast head backstay).

Our boat is a 1994 Bavaria 390 with Selden rig and in-mast furling main, as well as furling headsail.

I understand that, generally speaking, the distance of any inner forestay attachment point on the mast, relative to the back stay attachment point on the mast, is an important consideration.

The nature of the fractional rig already places the forestay well below the backstay, thus placing the attachment point of a Solent stay even lower. This is what has prompted my question.

On the other hand, I believe it's the caps that effectively tension the forestay on a fractional rig. More so than the back stay. In which case I may have answered my own question.

All comments appreciated.

Thanks,
JW

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
There is no reason not to install a Solent on your rig, so long as wire size and tune are done correctly. The only faint alarm here is that fractional rigs are harder to tune well than masthead ones, and adding a Solent could compound a bad tune. The aft-swept caps will indeed provide the majority of the aft staying, but the backstay also has a significant effect, which will vary according to mast stiffness and how close to the top the stays come.
Therefore be sure to run your numbers on scantlings, and be very sure of your tune. As with a masthead rig, the relative tune of the two stays is crucial.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[jwdorst]

Thanks for the quick reply Brion. Points taken. Greatly appreciated.

JW