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A backstay is a a part of the rigging of a sailing ship extending from masthead the top of the mast to the back of the ship.

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Q: What is a backstay?
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How do you use running backstays on yachts?

Here's a Wikipedia explanation of the purpose of a running backstay: In some sail boats, there are two running backstays. Each one runs from each lateral corner of the stern to the mast at the level where the forestay begins in the fractional rig. Together with other rigging, it supports the mast. During beating or reaching, the running backstay in windward side is in tension. The one in the leeward side is lazy. As the boat tacks they change over. Another function of the running backstay is to adjust the tension of the forestay to suit the sailing angle and sea condition. In general, during a hard beat when the boat sails very close to the wind, the running backstay is tightened to increase the tension of the forestay. The genoa is sheeted in. Under these conditions, the draft of the genoa is brought foreward reducing the drag.


What is a backstrap?

A backstrap is a pull strap extending the backstay of a boot or shoe, the backbone of a book, or a lion of meat consisting of the muscle on each side of the spine.


Strange word with the letter b?

ballistocardiograph means instrument for detecting body movements caused by heartbeat


What are some eight letter words with 4th letter K and 5th letter S and 7th letter A and 8th letter Y?

According to SOWPODS (the combination of Scrabble dictionaries used around the world) there are 2 words with the pattern ---KS-AY. That is, eight letter words with 4th letter K and 5th letter S and 7th letter A and 8th letter Y. In alphabetical order, they are: backstay jackstay


What are some eight letter words with 1st letter B and 3rd letter C and 6th letter T and 7th letter A?

According to SOWPODS (the combination of Scrabble dictionaries used around the world) there are 2 words with the pattern B-C--TA-. That is, eight letter words with 1st letter B and 3rd letter C and 6th letter T and 7th letter A. In alphabetical order, they are: backstab backstay


What are some eight letter words with 1st letter B and 3rd letter C and 5th letter S and 8th letter Y?

According to SOWPODS (the combination of Scrabble dictionaries used around the world) there are 1 words with the pattern B-C-S--Y. That is, eight letter words with 1st letter B and 3rd letter C and 5th letter S and 8th letter Y. In alphabetical order, they are: backstay


What two modern day ways of signaling SOS distress while sailing?

#1: If at night, by use of a searchlight to send Morse code. A regular flashlight will only work if you are in front of a very DARK background. #2: Day or night: Radio Morse code. #3: Daytime: Signal flags along your forestay or backstay. #4: Daytime: Semaphore flag signalling. #5: Day, or night with searchlight shining on it: Hang your country flag upside-down. This is the internationally-recognized sign of distress.


What holds up the mast on a boat?

as far as holding "up" ... the mast is usually stepped (attached) to the deck or keel on a sailboat. this supports the gravity downward load. to keep it from toppling over in the slightest breeze, there are wire rope stays connected at various points. in a masthead sloop there is a headstay and backstay connecting the front and back of the boat to the top of the mast. there are also shrouds (left and right) wire rope rigging (usually) that hold the mast up from the left and right. there can also be attachments at the midheight of the mast for fore and aft shrouds as well.


What word has an kst in the middle and end of the word?

There are no words with these letters in the middle and at the end, but here are the words with it in the middle: Backstabbed Backstabber Backstamped Backstopped Backstories Backstreets Backstretch Backstrokes Huckstering Hucksterism Kickstarted Workstation Backstages Backstairs Backstamps Backstitch Backstreet Backstroke Bookstalls Bookstands Bookstores Cookstoves Huckstered Jackstones Jackstraws Jockstraps Kickstands Kickstarts Lockstitch Pranksters Quicksteps Slicksters Tricksters Backstabs Backstage Backstair Backstamp Backstays Backstops Backstory Bookstall Bookstand Bookstore Cookstove Hucksters Inkstands Inkstones Jackstays Jackstone Jackstraw Jockstrap Kickstand Kickstart Locksteps Prankster Quickstep Slickster Trickster Backstab Backstay Backstop Huckster Inkstand Inkstone Jackstay Lockstep


What should you do your caught in a storm in your boat?

Depends on the boat and depends on how far offshore you are. On a sailing yacht one can furl all the sails, head the boat into the wind and waves and run a drogue from the bow. An old tyre will do admirably and won't rip like a canvas drogue. If survival suits are available it is time to put them on. Lightning can be a problem unless ones boat is built to French Regulations (mast has to be properly earthed to the metal keel) If you don't have this wrap some chain around the backstay and let it dangle in the water. With power it is different and if one has a deep vee powerful ski boat one can run up and down the waves at will choosing ones course rather like hill climbing with a 4 x4 car. Although the writer has water-skied in gale force 9 it is somewhat "hairy" and not to be recommended. Whilst taking-off from an enormous wave that has a rope coming out of it, is fairly easy; the landing is more difficult. Quite a considerable height can be attained when the skier is pulled by a boat that is Surfing down the next wave, in fact one almost needs a pilots licence!


You are caught in a storm in your boat What should you do?

Depends on the boat and depends on how far offshore you are. On a sailing yacht one can furl all the sails, head the boat into the wind and waves and run a drogue from the bow. An old tyre will do admirably and won't rip like a canvas drogue. If survival suits are available it is time to put them on. Lightning can be a problem unless ones boat is built to French Regulations (mast has to be properly earthed to the metal keel) If you don't have this wrap some chain around the backstay and let it dangle in the water. With power it is different and if one has a deep vee powerful ski boat one can run up and down the waves at will choosing ones course rather like hill climbing with a 4 x4 car. Although the writer has water-skied in gale force 9 it is somewhat "hairy" and not to be recommended. Whilst taking-off from an enormous wave that has a rope coming out of it, is fairly easy; the landing is more difficult. Quite a considerable height can be attained when the skier is pulled by a boat that is surfing down the next wave, in fact one almost needs a pilots licence!


Where would you use runner block pulleys on sailboat?

Blocks are used in purchase systems on sailboats so sailors can better control the high amounts of load created by wind and sails. The way to make this difficult task simpler is by designing blocks that run freely and reduce the friction caused by sheets and lines in purchase systems. So what is the difference between ball bearing blocks and non-ball bearing blocks?Ball Bearing BlockBall bearing blocks are best for any system on your boat that does not see "static loads," or low-movement applications. Examples of a few recommended ball bearing block applications are main, jib, and spinnaker sheeting systems, traveler cars, and controls, and running rigging backstay runner blocks. Compared to non-ball bearing blocks, ball bearing blocks run freely allowing for increased safety and ease of use. Whether cruising or racing-the sailor can only exert a limited amount of power, so ease of operation and ability to release a line and let it run free is very important and is optimized with ball bearing blocks.Non-Ball Bearing BlocksNon-ball bearing blocks are best fit for applications that hold high static loads and/or only change line direction, such as turning blocks, masts base blocks, deck organizers, halyard blocks, boom vangs, and reefing blocks. In these instances, a simpler, less expensive, non-ball bearing block makes the most sense.