Running backstay location

[benz]

Concensus seems to say that a running backstay's lower terminus should be midway between the transom and the mast. Is there any reason it couldn't terminate further aft, as long as there was nothing it would interfere with? I'd like to be able to easily reach it from the cockpit, rather than having to lay forward along the side deck every time I came about.
Boat is a Cape George 31' pilot cutter, disp. 16,000 lbs, gaff rigged.
Thanks,
Ben