DRAGONFLY Trimarans User Forum

Good day,
even so owning a DF800R Swing Wing already some years, realised during choppy offshore conditions that my knowledge in regards to backstay tension is rather self-invented than based on facts.
During said event, we had short, high waves giving a lot of upside down energy to the Amas.
There was at times a cracking noise on the forward beam hinges to the main hull. It sounded as if something was under high tension and was released during strong wave impacts moving the tip of the forward float upwards. Simultaneously it was observed that the main bold (which is holding the beams within the hinge) was mowing abt. 1 mm horizontally, There was also a movement of the edges of the beam structure noticed, rubbing against the positive counterpart on the main hull.
- How strong would you tighten the backstays in choppy weather? The well known selftailing winch with violin blocks, using one hand only with good strong force? This is what is said in the manual for the DF1000. So what is please recommended for the 800? Believe I had way less tension… Just sufficient, that I had no loose in the lee backstay.
Unfortunately I became so concerned from this cracking noise that I changed course instead of properly investigating the root cause. The boat was loaded with max. payload (but not more). No damage found, even after dismantling the boat for the winter.
Any hints? Should I fabricate thicker, custom made bolts, which fit in snugly? Is the shape of the beam edges between the beam and the main hull a very sensitive topic? It was rebuild with gelcoat and therefore maybe not anymore on shipyard standard. Anyhow, there is no damage in this area noticed.
Any comment on above would be very much appreciated.

Greetings Ortwin

If I was looking at those conditions, I'd not be sailing.

Thanks for the comment.

Things develop here in the coastal waters of the north sea sometimes unforecasted. Currents of up to 4 knots paired with sudden changes of wind create this unpleasant sea even sometimes at beauf. 4. in the river delta of the Elbe.
Spending about 15 yrs of my life at sea I would consider myself rather too careful when dealing with this subject but for sure keen to learn more details about my boot.
I have seen df800 in much worth sea conditions in the north sea, when I stayed in the port...
This is a technical issue. Please.

Firstly I am delighted to read your comments!

Why? We have the same issues in our 800. Going through the Solent chop we have the same creeping and banging noises from the front mainly on the forward starboard aka. Our pins on both forward akas move upwards as well.

Like you I am concerned on occasions.

I have taken to tightening both back stays so the leeward one is tight and leave them this does appear to support the amas more. However this winter we are changing the pins and beefing them up, there is too much movement. We met the owners of Grey Zone in the Hamble during Round the Island race (isle of Wight) they have already changed the pins.

Check your waterstays are tight. We changed to fibre and the bedding in of
these made matters worse.