Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
I have an adjustable backstay tensioner on my 85 standard rig fin and am not really sure how to use it. Is there ever a reason to release some tension when the boat is docked? I have a Hood roller furler up front.
Loosen the backstay in light air and when running downwind. Tighen the backstay when going upwind or in heavy air. There are a number of good articles on sail trim to be found on the web... in book form too.
If you google on sail trim, you'll find plenty of reading.
IMHO stuff: At the dock I set my backstay for 'middling' tension. My reasoning is that you don't want your rig sitting there fiddlestring tight, but on the other hand you don't want it wiggling around either.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.