In article ,
"Roger Long" wrote:

With a stiff mast like mine, there isn't much sense in fine tuning the
backstay. I just horse up on it when I leave the dock and let it off
when putting the boat away.

We have a tree trunk of a mast ourselves, but a tensioner is more useful
than you think. In light air, ease off to make the genny fuller; tighter
in weather to flatten it out.

Invite a racer or sailmaker onboard one day and let him/her play with it
a bit. You'll be surprised how much better the boat will go.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/