"RichH" wrote in message
...
The theoretical calculation is by determining the center of buoyancy,
the center mass of ballast and calculating the righting forces that
would react at the top of the mast ... when the mast is pulled over to
a heel angle of 45 degrees.
You can do the same experimentally by restraining the boat (so that it
can roll unimpeded) and by pulling horizontally (or calculating the
trigonometric difference for other angles) from the top of the mast
until the mast is at a 45 degree angle to the horizontal ... then
MEASURE the stress/strain in the wire (cap shrouds). The induced/
forced 45 degree heel would develope the maximum static loads in the
wire (by the magic of trigonometry).

snipped

It seems to me that to pull the boat over to 45 degrees using a line from
the top of the mast would put a much higher stress on the cap shrouds than
you would get by heeling the boat to the same amount by sail pressure, which
would spread some of the load onto the intermediates and lowers.