My 1995 XL/kcb was originally fit with baby stays, which as others have noted
are generally a big PITA. However, since they ‘came as standard’ on my boat,
who was I to think that they were not essential—I am hardly a naval
architect/engineer or otherwise qualified to question their necessity.
Fortunately, a former sail maker and America’s Cup competitor had a good look
at my rig when I purchased sails from him. He noticed that my 3 spreaders were
aligned athwartship, perpendicular to and aligned port and starboard
perpendicular to the mast. Further, the boat is rigged with runners and
check-stays and a non-telephone pole, relatively ‘bendy’ OffShore mast. The
spreader alignment did not support the need for a baby stay while the check
stays and runners provides for mast stiffening without the baby stay.
He recommended removing the baby stay as it was unnecessary as well as a PITA.
Further, it’s role in preventing ‘pumping’ fore and aft of the mast MAY be
useful in some offshore conditions but my sailing/racing is not offshore and if
conditions are such that the mast begins to pump, my racing is over and the
sails are reduced or replaced by the iron genny.
IMHO, either for marketing and/or to use a similar rig in a racer/cruiser (36
XL) and/or to save design costs that had been already used for a racer (36 R),
C&C put the 3 spreader rig for the 36R on the 36XL without change (except
perhaps for mast height).
Of course, my opinions above could be totally wrong regarding the reasons for a
baby stay on the XL and maybe the XL+. However, I firmly believe that it is not
necessary on my 36XL/kcb.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
Charlie Nelson
Water Phantom
1995 C&C 36XL/kcb
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