No- (re: the tension) I always use a backstay
adjuster, which takes care of headstay tension, and I keep the uppers tighter
than the lowers (and the lowers not very tight). I really don't like a too
tight rig. I used to race a 17 against Neal Clark, a very good sailer
living in Tucson; he kept his rigging very tight and our boatspeed was identical
as far as I could tell. Almost one extreme against the other. Maybe
it doesn't matter, or maybe the ideal is somewhere in between.
I took the liberty of sending this to the M list
hoping that Gary Oberbeck in Phoenix might throw in his .02 worth. He's
been sailing a 17 for many years and is pretty darn mean out on the race
course.
Jerry
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2003 6:03
AM
Subject: Re: Rigging
Jerry,
If the old turnbuckles are ok then don't
replace them, except for the ones that are mildly bent, those I would like
replaced. If the backstay brindle is ok, then don't replace it.
Have you ever take a tension reading of a well tuned M17? I took some
readings before I took the riggin down and was wondering how they would
compare to a well tuned rig.
Thanks
John