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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