The '80s 31 footer I bought recently has a hydraulic backstay adjuster. It leaks a little, and loses all pressure over a day or 2. I have zero knowledge of these, so would appreciate answers to these questions:
1. Is it normal for an adjuster to lose pressure over a couple of days?
2. Should the pressure be released when not sailing (ie: at marina berth)?
3. With NO pressure, should there be slack in the stay, or should the stay be adjusted so there is just enough tension to keep the forestay/furled headsail straight when the adjuster has zero pressure? (My furled headsail sags a bit - maybe 5 to 10cm - after a couple of days)
4. Should the adjuster be serviced by a rigging tech with expertise in adjusters (maybe hard to find in Hervey Bay) or a general hydraulics tech?
Cheers, and thanks in advance.
Alan

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alanfw said..
The '80s 31 footer I bought recently has a hydraulic backstay adjuster. It leaks a little, and loses all pressure over a day or 2. I have zero knowledge of these, so would appreciate answers to these questions:
1. Is it normal for an adjuster to lose pressure over a couple of days?
2. Should the pressure be released when not sailing (ie: at marina berth)?
3. With NO pressure, should there be slack in the stay, or should the stay be adjusted so there is just enough tension to keep the forestay/furled headsail straight when the adjuster has zero pressure? (My furled headsail sags a bit - maybe 5 to 10cm - after a couple of days)
4. Should the adjuster be serviced by a rigging tech with expertise in adjusters (maybe hard to find in Hervey Bay) or a general hydraulics tech?
Cheers, and thanks in advance.
Alan

My adjuster is hydraulic. No the pressure does not fall. Don't slacken off at the mooring or marina that will only cause rigging wear. It's just a hydraulic pump and if you don't repair yourself take it to an ordinary hydraulic shop. My mate has the same set up as mine. His leaked and he had to turn up a new piston to repair his but parts will be available off the shelf.

Yeh what Ramona said (mostly! )
Yes ease it off when you're parked. Takes the load out of the unit & rigging.
But leave enough preload that things are not slack (flogging). Use a wobble stopper on your forestay to help.
Losing pressure over a few days it not that big a deal, it just does mean the seals are worn. So long as your rig does not go too sloppy.
The units I've used are just simple off the shelf items (I assume you dont have a modern go-fast rig preload system) so any competent hydraulic techo should be able to service them.

I had identical problem, it was getting worse. No wonder that happens, considering external cylinder exposed to salt & heat. Before I decided to get recondition, also verify that is the problem, I tried something.
I put smidgen of non hardening no3 gasket seal on external piston, applied when fully out, a bit of exercise.
3 months later, no lost of pressure.

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Charriot said..
I had identical problem, it was getting worse. No wonder that happens, considering external cylinder exposed to salt & heat. Before I decided to get recondition, also verify that is the problem, I tried something.
I put smidgen of non hardening no3 gasket seal on external piston, applied when fully out, a bit of exercise.
3 months later, no lost of pressure.

We're you getting any hydraulic fluid leakage at all before you tried this? My thinking is the little leak is a good indicator of a more serious job needing doing!

No leakage at all, at the end it was loosing tension while sailing, still no leakage.
sure I did try a few other remedies, only this one works for me.

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alanfw said..

Charriot said..
I had identical problem, it was getting worse. No wonder that happens, considering external cylinder exposed to salt & heat. Before I decided to get recondition, also verify that is the problem, I tried something.
I put smidgen of non hardening no3 gasket seal on external piston, applied when fully out, a bit of exercise.
3 months later, no lost of pressure.

We're you getting any hydraulic fluid leakage at all before you tried this? My thinking is the little leak is a good indicator of a more serious job needing doing!

Probably just needs a new O ring.