FWIW, I have check stays but not running backs (thank goodness). My checkstays connect to the upper spreader fittings and are obviously not long enough to serve as running backs. I replaced the original wire with low stretch line. My mast is a telephone pole so the check stays are rarely used.
Sent from my iPhone On Jun 22, 2025, at 7:25 PM, Ken Heaton via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:
Here is a link to a photo (not my boat)
As I understand it, Running Backstays are the upper ones, and the Checkstays are the lower ones. On our mast both are made of Stainless Steel Cable, and the Runners are twice the diameter of the Checstays.
Where they meet the Checkstay has a small tackle between it and its attachment point to the bottom of the Runner so its tension can be adjusted separately from the Runner.
The following is from a post inSailing Anarchy. I think it is a good explanation of what they are used for:
Masthead:
1. Stopping the mast from pumping in a seaway is one function, for sure. Just snug the runners and checks if you've got them enough to stop the pumping. Pretty simple.
2. Matching the draft (power) in the main and headsail. In any condition you optimize shape for wind vs sea state and whether you're in point mode, foot, etc. Once you get the headsail set up how you like it, (halyard tension, lead position, sheet tension etc.) imagine that you've got tons of backstay on to get the sag out of the forestay. Then you look at the main and it's ridiculously flat. No power at all. You sight up the mast and it's very bent, hence the flat main. Use the runners and checks if you've got them to take some of the bend out of the main, say from 12 inches down to 6 inches on a 40 footer. That puts some shape back into the main and gives you the power to punch through the chop building in the afternoon sea breeze. A very good use for runners. They let you balance the power in your headsail and main.
Ken H.
How do I tell the difference between checkstays and running backstays? Would all four on the 37R be running backstays? Or are the lower two possibly checkstays?
-Oden
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