The Mariner Episode 6: Backstays 

Abraham Sintram good feedback- many thanks!!

So many times I hear this:) We came in through a few hours of 30 knots with occassional 40 knot gusts- but by the time you get to the bar it was easily 40kts steady on deck all night ... 'which means the gusts were 55!....'

I will show a little later on the books of pictures I found that detailed every lashing and block placement on deck- an awesome record to have available. In consultation with these I could see that originally the set up was what I thought it should be- the mainstay bolted to the runner block and the check stay running a toggle system to increase and decrease the check stay tension when the staysail was in play. I elected to keep what I had and see how it worked at sea. What I found was that the weird lashing system we see in place now allows the stays to hang absolutely vertical when they are run forward and are hanging in storage alongside the mast (ie when they are the 'lazy' runner set. ) I had to conclude that some combination of the default set up and this odd articulating system might have it's benefits! You are always learning in sailing right?

The Mariner A day without learning is a day wasted.👍

I am going to be taking her West around the world in November 2019 to compete for Van Den Heede's 2002 record of 122 days. Even if I miss the record but do finish the voyage I would become only the 6th person ever to do it. Hellcat would not be competitive in the IMOCA class anymore but if this channel grows and there is more interest to see if she can complete the Vendee Globe East around the world in 2020 then I would be willing to do that. I have to be realistic about my chances of being competitive in the Vendee fleet regardless of how up to date my boat is- this is the best in the world competing at the edge of what is possible- but I would love to enter and complete the event- if that's in an older boat with a big following of invested subscribers that's a great outcome for all concerned!