rotoryracer wrote:

Very good instructions exist in book Modern Seamanship by Don Dodds. I am
also new to this task and am waiting for calm weather so I may adjust
stays. It appears there is no absolute correct answer on shroud tension
(although I
am sure you will find no shortage of opinion). General guideline I have
heard is 1/2" deflection at shoulder height.


one major thing to note... don't slacken off the shroud tension too much...
you may regret it when your mast goes overboard... and be carefull when
adjusting spreaders, you could end up in a situation where they are no
longer "pulling" the mast back against the forestay.

Don't forget to get the mast to the correct rake before you go mad doing the
shroud tension... and after tensioning the shrouds, double check that your
mast rake is still where it should be and ALSO that your mast is _not_
tilted off to one side... otherwise you'll be windering why you beat better
on one tack than the other... (the jib slot won't be same on opposite
tacks)

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