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Ensign Sailing Forum

“Pigtail” broken at backstay
Tom Tolleson
11/8/2025 10:44 AM
Hello,

During the recent nor’easter, our boom broke free from the backstay. The boom was connected to the backstay by an addition piece of rigging wire that hooked into the tangs on the aft end of the boom and attached to the backstay wire.

Is there a recommended way to fix this!

Thanks,

Tom Tolleson
DW@Miramar
11/8/2025 11:33 AM

Hey Tom, Where did it break? Usually it's just a piece of SS wire that's swaged (maybe crimped) onto the backstay.

Tom Tolleson
11/8/2025 11:40 AM
Hey DW

It broke at the backstay, where the two wires converge. Or "swaged" which is new to me. I'll look into a crimping or swaging tool. 

Thank you!

Tom

Robin & Lizette Durr
11/8/2025 12:46 PM

Hi Tom,

The tool you need is a nicropress swagging tool I believe. Hopefully u can borrow one as it's not a tool that gets used a lot...


Robin

Tom Tolleson
11/8/2025 12:50 PM
That’s really helpful, Robin. Thanks.

Tom

Zeke Durica
11/8/2025 8:44 PM
Photos are very much appreciated. 
If the backstay was broken get a new one or like new used one. 

Zeke


Christopher Dehart
11/8/2025 9:08 PM
I have a topping lift that works well and allows for easy  reefing.



Ward Woodruff
11/9/2025 8:54 AM
Get a new backstay. The boat will thank you. Ensignspars.com. $185.

Ward Woodruff
413-847-0620 cell
James Knape
11/9/2025 11:40 AM
Of course you can take it to a rigger and they can make you a new stay or perhaps just redo the end fitting. But what  I  did was was lash a piece of spectra on with waxed whipping twine. You need to go around maybe 100 tight turns in a few layers, but it is possible to get enough whipping on to take a large load. That's how they did on the ships that discovered America. My repair is now about ten years old.  You do want to coat the whipping in something to keep the uv rays off. I simply used latex paint, but shrink wrap would be ideal
Jim 1576 Lickety Split


Zeke Durica
11/9/2025 5:26 PM
I have a new backstay with pigtail and hook for the boom. It's never been used but 10 years old is still in the box. 
I'll sell it to you with shipping and handling for 125.00. 

Only wise way to go.

Zeke 727-692-8061 Let me know.

Tom Tolleson
11/9/2025 5:48 PM
Hey Zeke. Thanks.

I’ve got both parts and bought the coupling. I also have a sewage tool so I’m just gonna go that route/

Thanks,

Tom

On Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 5:27 PM Zeke Durica (zeke.durica@gmail.com) <ensignsailing@ensignclass.com> wrote:
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I have a new backstay with pigtail and hook for the boom. It's never been used but 10 years old is still in the box. 
I'll sell it to you with shipping and handling for 125.00. 

Only wise way to go.

Zeke 727-692-8061 Let me know.

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