Frank
I do use the running backstay going up or down - most of the time.  Here is another subject I would love to hear Dave King's thoughts.

Ahoy,

I use my running backs anytime I am in the ocean,as I am on my way somewhere. Whether up wind or down.  Here in Portland, which is on a river, I do not use them and, in fact, they are physically removed from the boat.

When going to weather, if you sight up the mast, without the running backs, you can easily see the mast "pumping".  The running back will easily stop this movement.  In doing so, it slightly pulls the inner stay back and tighter.  At the same time, this adjustment forces the mast head upward (for sure very slightly) which also tightens the headstay.

Going downwind, the running back is one more stay to hold things up and just seems like a good idea. 

Concerning the barber-hauling of the staysail:  My staysail is on a boom and controlled by a single sheet with a track and movable car.  I normally have the car "stopped" about one foot off center.  When reaching, I can run the car out as far as the cabin edge.  If using the staysail on a broader reach or run then I will vang the boom down to the forward hawse-pipe.  Nothing fancy here.

Good Luck,       Dave

I noticed that this thread is slightly old but it reminded me of a question I have.  The boomless staysail on Quimera has a block attached to the clew so the sheet is continuous.  I assumed that this is normal but sail trim is odd.  It does make the sail self-tending.  It just doesn't allow for much trimming.  The sheets are led through blocks on a car track but I seem to run the car almost all the way back most of the time and the sail still is not very flat.  Thoughts?

Hello Mitch,

What you are describing with the Staysail sheeting does not sound good to me.  That is not normal.  If you are using a boomless Staysail, as many Westsailors are, then it would be much more efficient to use 2 sheets, each tied to the clew.  A Cow Hitch will also work and is what I use on my headsails on Saraband.  This Hitch is Physically smaller than 2 Bowlines and less likely to get hung up on something.  You may also be able to use your existing sheet.

Good luck, Let us know if the change corrects the sheeting problem.

Dave