Ross Fullarton
My boat has been fitted with wires attached to the mast a bit above the shrouds! They are not in use, just tied down to the shrouds. The only reason I can see for these is as running back stays!?! Are these used on a Sonata? If not I’ll remove them as they seem to chafe on the spreaders.
If they are used, how are they rigged at deck level?
Cheers,
Ross.
Ps boat goes in the water on Monday so I’ll get to sail a Sonata st last!! 
Catherine Hartley
Running backstays are not actually allowed in the true meaning of the word. However what you have are checkstays. These are standing rigging, no purchase is allowed, they simply attach somewhere aft of the mast (usually near the pushpits) and provide support for the mast in breezy and choppy conditions. They are not allowed to be used to tension the forestay, hence no purchase allowed.
I have seen these on very few boats, and on none of the top racing boats. If I were you, I’d remove them.
Martin Hartley
Son. Tech. Rep.
Ross Fullarton
Cheers folks,
I’ll remove them!! They just complicate matters anyway!! Another thing to worry about and get tangled up in!!
Ross.
peterbooth
Hi Ross
Running backstays are allowed on the Sonata but can only be used downwind if your mast is ok I would take them off, nobody is using them these days
Regards Peter