Backstay Chainplate Discussions [pg 152 in Manual]

[Robert Lemasters]

I replaced the bent over backstay chainplate on my Commander with one that I had made from thicker stock marine grade stainless steel(Navy scrap).A Pearson Tritan had rode up the backstay bending over the chainplate and also destroying the pulpit during Isebel which sank or damaged many boats at the yard. Just think about how strong that single backstay is to take that much damage. I had the new chainplate made an inch or so longer with an extra bolt hole. There are some pictures of the damaged stay and of the new one on this site somewhere. Why go to a split backstay? In addition the old insulator is still good as new. The 26 Pearson that I now have has a split backstay because of the motor well. When I get around to it I plan on replacing the backstay on my Commander with one that has an adjustable tensioner. I will try and keep the old insulator it seems to be stronger then the new ones that I have looked at.