Equipment & Gear used on our CR Yachts 400DS sailboat
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Selden Backstay tensioner

The Backstay cable on Mad Dog Voyager can be adjusted to accommodate varying sailing and weather conditions. CR Yachts and Selden decided that a Backstay Tensioner was a perfect solution for this need.

Using a simple helical gear, the tensioner is tightened and loosened using a standard sailiboat winch handle. Everything is kept neat and clean as the gears, threaded rods and greased areas are covered with an aluminum covering tube. Makes for a very neat and clean installation.

The Backstay cable uses a split rear cable that runs about 15 feet up the Backstay cable. The Backstay cable is attached to a turning block through which the cable attached to the Backstay tensioner runs. This system allows for a very light touch on the winch handle when tightening the Backstay tensioner, even under full load.

There are a few different methods to adjust Backstay cable tension with the two most popular being hydraulic (either motor driven or hand pumped) or a multiple purchase block and tackle assembly. We are glad that Mad Dog Voyager is outfitted with the Selden Backstay Tensioner as this seems the easiest and cleanest of them all.

 

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