"Capt. Rob" wrote:

Huh? Could explain just what the backstay has to do with the length of

the luff?

Martin, the headboard has to able to clear the backstay at the top of
the mast. My headboard cannot go to the very top of the groove because
it would foul the backstay. My Kevlar main has a bit more roach than a
standard main, so she'll actually have more Sq. feet than the standard.

If I understand this, you mean that if you hoisted the main originally
supplied by Benny, then the headboard would hoist to the black band on
the mast? No main hoists to "very top" of the groove, that I know of,
which is why that black band is on the mast, manufacturers take the
headboard/roach/backstay into account when they put that band there.

Cheers
Marty