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Article Summary from Yahoo Groups July 2009

Question posted by Todd Pond on Qualchan Hull #167.

I am in the final stages of a major refit on Qualchan.  She was originally rigged with a triadic stay.  Is this really necessary?  I have always thought it best to have the main and mizzen independent of each other as long as the mizzen was supported enough.  I believe it is, as does my rigger and surveyor.  Any of your comments on this would be appreciated.

Response posted by Doug Stephenson 

The triadic stay was an option at the factory but it was standard not to have it until the early 80’s.  After hearing of a three of losses of the mizzen, albeit two of them were needless, the builder, Kurt, decided to make it standard. The wire size was of a smaller diameter than any other on board the boat save the halyard wire portions. There was a variance on the configurations over time at the factory and of course owner installations take on a life of their own.  The factory installs were basically masthead to masthead from tangs and at the mizzen end was a turnbuckle which required a man to get up there to attach it. The other was to go through a sheave and down the face of the mizzen to deck level.

One of the benefits was that less forward and downward pressure was required to tune the mast while making it parallel to the main. This in turn put less pressure on the head bulkhead, deck fitting and cabin sole and its under sole support.  The pressure if too great would over time change the companionway configuration and make the hatch hard to slide and similarly cause the head door in the aft cabin to change fit.

The mast is the same as the Alberg 30 with no forestay. For open ocean sailing safety and aesthetics I would prefer the stay and was party to the decision to add it as standard.

As an owner you get to choose.  From 1972 most of the Whitbys did not have one. I only know of 3 losses and it is 37 years later and with about 200 of them with no triadic, that is a lot of sea time with no problems!!!!!!

May clean diesel and fair winds be yours,

Douglas