J/44 mast bend / backstay

[Jeremiah Goyette]

Hello all, summer wishes from our J/44 on Champlain in Vermont! After traveling north through the canals last fall we’ve finally stepped and refitted enjoyed some cruising. I’ve been concerned with an our prepend/rake since we fought the backstay off taking her down. again fought back up, and even with careful wedging seems to bend aft far more than i’m used to. As this is our second year with her, our ‘normal’ isn’t much of barometer. Adding to the puzzle is a hard pull main halyard for the last 25% of the hoist that sails down, all sheaves replaced or rebuilt when down and a new halyard / clear in the spar. I’m troubleshooting the hoisting mechanics / headboard pick point but overall concerned that i’m chasing my tail if the rig is slightly askew. we tuned under good wind last week and she sails fantastically, it’s the backstay/head stay conundrum I can’t stop contemplating. Any suggestions input / resources / wisdom appreciated as always! We hired some local pro help in addition to the yard as a second/third opinion on the stepping but this might be out of their league. Photos not as compelling as i would like but gives the idea. Super appreciated!

Jeremiah, Kate & Eleanor
J/44 Lightwave, Shelburne, VT

Sent from my iPhone

[Chris]

When I let my backstay all the way off it's just flopping there, and the mast is essentially straight - I think you could use an extra link on your backstay, personally - although I have heard they like rake, so maybe more forestay. I don't think there's any way that you need that much prebend, though. Other J/44 owners who race - how much prebend and rake do you typically have?

Here's Spice at rest:

[Joseph Ruzzi]

Is the mast butt moveable on the J/44?   Obviously, it's a very different rig, but on the J/30, the original Kenyon rig's aluminum mast step casting has slots so it can be moved fore-and-aft.  The common wisdom on the J/30 was to move the mast butt as far forward as possible, and adjust the forestay length to maximum, which has the result of loosening the backstay.   Then, we'd use the shrouds to induce prebend into the rig.  

Another thought is that the J/44s were raced so actively as a one-design fleet when they were first introduced, you may want to consult a sailmaker about setting up the rig.   However, since you're on Lake Champlain, I'm not sure if anyone would be local to you.

Regards,

Joe

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[Jeremiah Goyette]

it is movable, ours appears to be all the way forward and without wedges was still tight against the mast partner. If it was as simple as headstay adjustment i would put some turns on it, but to rerig the backstay took winch force to even get the pin in with hydraulics all the way out. the cylinder is all the way out. I can’t seem to find a contact that is able to affirmatively wage in. agreed that adding a few inches in the backstay and shortening headstay makes intuitive sense. nothing was adjusted from when it came down in the canals, which was hard work then… ideas welcome :)

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 23, 2026, at 9:37 AM, Joseph Ruzzi <jmru...@gmail.com> wrote:



Is the mast butt moveable on the J/44?   Obviously, it's a very different rig, but on the J/30, the original Kenyon rig's aluminum mast step casting has slots so it can be moved fore-and-aft.  The common wisdom on the J/30 was to move the mast butt as far forward as possible, and adjust the forestay length to maximum, which has the result of loosening the backstay.   Then, we'd use the shrouds to induce prebend into the rig.  

Another thought is that the J/44s were raced so actively as a one-design fleet when they were first introduced, you may want to consult a sailmaker about setting up the rig.   However, since you're on Lake Champlain, I'm not sure if anyone would be local to you.

Regards,

Joe

On Tue, Jun 23, 2026 at 6:57 AM Chris <j44s...@gmail.com> wrote:

When I let my backstay all the way off it's just flopping there, and the mast is essentially straight - I think you could use an extra link on your backstay, personally - although I have heard they like rake, so maybe more forestay. I don't think there's any way that you need that much prebend, though. Other J/44 owners who race - how much prebend and rake do you typically have?

Here's Spice at rest:

<177CB637-10F3-4C60-A0FE-FB4A888788A3_1_105_c.jpeg>

On Monday, June 22, 2026 at 7:42:31 PM UTC-3 Jeremiah Goyette wrote:

Hello all, summer wishes from our J/44 on Champlain in Vermont! After traveling north through the canals last fall we’ve finally stepped and refitted enjoyed some cruising. I’ve been concerned with an our prepend/rake since we fought the backstay off taking her down. again fought back up, and even with careful wedging seems to bend aft far more than i’m used to. As this is our second year with her, our ‘normal’ isn’t much of barometer. Adding to the puzzle is a hard pull main halyard for the last 25% of the hoist that sails down, all sheaves replaced or rebuilt when down and a new halyard / clear in the spar. I’m troubleshooting the hoisting mechanics / headboard pick point but overall concerned that i’m chasing my tail if the rig is slightly askew. we tuned under good wind last week and she sails fantastically, it’s the backstay/head stay conundrum I can’t stop contemplating. Any suggestions input / resources / wisdom appreciated as always! We hired some local pro help in addition to the yard as a second/third opinion on the stepping but this might be out of their league. Photos not as compelling as i would like but gives the idea. Super appreciated!

Jeremiah, Kate & Eleanor
J/44 Lightwave, Shelburne, VT

Sent from my iPhone

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[Chris]

I would suggest adding length to the backstay without shortening the forestay - it shouldn't be so difficult to connect the stays when stepping the mast, and when the backstay is all the way off the rig should be floppy, basically - you want to be able to almost cant it forward for downwind, really. And when the backstay is off there shouldn't be any bending force on the mast, either.

You can add length to the backstay with  toggles pretty easily - put them either under the adjusting cylinder or above it, just use the checkstays to hold things in place while you do it.

[Larry Romano]

There are two reasons for prebend in a mast head boat.

The prebend applies a forward curve to the mast so it does not move forward and aft in the middle when sailing in waves. Running backs accomplish the same thing.

When the mast is setup correctly applying more Backstay pressure, tightens the forestay and increases the prebend to flatten the mainsail.

To setup the rig properly you need to find out what forestay length the racers are using. This will give the rig the proper location aft to give you that balance helm. Just enough weather helm but not fitting the boat.

Then you adjust the mast foot aft to create the proper prebend. Also at the mast partners.

When you were trying to disconnect the rig was the headsail removed from the furler?

If you already knew this I’m sorry.

Larry 

On Jun 25, 2026, at 12:25 PM, Chris <j44s...@gmail.com> wrote:

I would suggest adding length to the backstay without shortening the forestay - it shouldn't be so difficult to connect the stays when stepping the mast, and when the backstay is all the way off the rig should be floppy, basically - you want to be able to almost cant it forward for downwind, really. And when the backstay is off there shouldn't be any bending force on the mast, either.

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[Jeremiah Goyette]

Yes, headsail removed from the roller. Even with the headstay unpinned with the crane in place the backstay was tight. This is why i think we’re starting from the wrong spot 😊

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On Jun 25, 2026, at 5:43 PM, Larry Romano <j40r...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[June Kendrick]

J 44s like a lot of rake.  The class rules have a maximum forestay length of 62’ 5.75”.  

There should be a toggle between the backstay cylinder and the tang on the transom.  That ensures full range of motion at the base of the cylinder - both fore and aft and side to side.