I know this thread is 2.5 years old so I hope someone is still watching it. I have a gaff rigged schooner RC model. I am trying to figure out how to handle backstays on her main mast. Right now I have one servo that controls the main and topsail sheet and another servo to control the foresail sheet and partly the jib and staysail sheets. And a third servo to control the port and starboard sheets so that as one side get pull in the other side gets let out. I suppose I could add another servo that would be similar to the jib/staysail servo in that it would pull in the windward side while letting out the leeward side but am running out of room below deck. I am intrigued by some photos I have seen of gaff rigged boats having a line running from the forestay attachment point on the mast to near the center of the mainsail. That line is attached to a block that has a line running from near the back of the boom to the front of the boom. The photos all show the windward side and that set of lines seems to be taught. I'm not sure but it appears there is a equal set on the leeward side of the main that is loose. My assumption is these are a sort of running backstay that uses the main sheet but I sure don't see how it works. Anyone know what these are for?
