Has any 325/335 owner replaced the original backstay tensioner for a more advance setup with a larger purchase? The original 1:6 purchase is not enough I think to give the masttop a proper bend in heavy winds.

Hi Dirk

Yes indeed, the original purchase was not going to cut the mustard with any of my International 14 sailing guests! The new one is 6:1 with some neat Lewmar ball-bearing blocks that I got cheap. The new backstay itslef is Dyneema split with a high load block. The extra purchase comes in very handy upwind, but I have to keep reminding myself that this is a 3/4 rig, I am not racing, and that it is cheaper to put in a reef than to bend the mast to breaking point!

Peter

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