Hoisting and that backstay

[jasmine kostraba]

hi all, here’s a dumb little question.

I’m going to be dry sailing my boat for a bit but, the backstay gets in the way when hoisting, I mean it really really gets in the way.. I just took her out of the water for the first time with the mast up and it was like threading a needle.  

I know that the J 70s and the Martin’s and the bunch of other trailerable boats can remove their back stay when they are bringing their boat out of the water, is this something that the Santa Cruz does? Or are there tricks to getting her hoisted?  

Merci

Jasmine 

Babushka #138

[Adam Yuret]

TL;DR: Test your rig while the mast is on the crane to get a sense of the margins for error, failing that stick a halyard on the toe rail aft of the mast as a safety line

I know some boats got rigged differently (Tabernacles etc) but taking the backstay off is essential to dry sailing. My spreaders (and those of most SC27s I've encountered) are swept aft just a couple of inches (which is enough) if you're concerned, take a spin halyard to a bit aft of the mast as a safety. 

That said, I once had the boom kicker base piece fall out of the bottom of my mast track and thought maybe I could loosen the shrouds maximum loose with the mast on the crane, and tip the mast forward enough to sneak the piece in and it was impossible. So between banging on the mast without the backstay while on the crane and trying this silly trick, I am confident my rig isn't coming down for lack of a backstay (on the crane anyway, not gonna go planing around in big wind with the backstay removed ;-) 

Cheers, 

Adam Yuret

Cell: 360-286-8268

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[jasmine kostraba]

OK.  My next question is… what is the best way to take the backstay off for hoisting? 

[MBYC Rear-Commodore]

Most of us are dry sailors and the back stay never seems to be an issue. It’s close but pick the side that allows the boat to pivot away from the back stay. When we travel out of town, the crane is used to step the mast as an option if your mast base doesn’t have a hinge bolt.

Most of us are running adjustable backstays that are connected to the deck with a small shackle, disconnect there, or leave it connected and just put slack in it. The back stay does not support the mast, and it should stay up by the side stays(uppers and lowers) and the forestay. Back up with the main halyard if concerned like Adam suggested.

Hope this helps

Jon Hovdal

GOTCHA #27

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On Jan 18, 2026, at 4:16 PM, jasmine kostraba <theprettiestg...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Scott Vincik]

The Santa Cruz Yacht Club boats are all dry sailed and hoisted in and out. Check in with them for advice. 

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From: sc2...@googlegroups.com <sc2...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of jasmine kostraba <theprettiestg...@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2026 4:16:12 PM
To: Santa Cruz 27 National Class Association <sc2...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Hoisting and that backstay

 

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[Ian Sprenger]

Jasmine,

A Harken 51mm high load block with a quick pin is a good option for disconnecting the cascade. 

Recommend a halyard to the toe rail for cheap insurance. 

Ian

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On Jan 18, 2026, at 18:46, Scott Vincik <scott...@hotmail.com> wrote:



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[Adam Viguers]

Nobody is detaching their backstay at the hoist.  Move your trailer 12 inches so it clears.

JFC

Regards,

Adam Viguers

On Jan 18, 2026, at 4:16 PM, jasmine kostraba <theprettiestg...@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sc27nca/a0365d6f-9ced-4c0d-90b0-3e363d48c0bfn%40googlegroups.com.

[Adam Viguers]

Nobody is detaching their backstay at the hoist.  Move your trailer 12 inches so it clears.