Joe, I'm glad it helped. Brion Toss knows what he's doing. The video is titled Tuning Your Rig, and I recommend it. I don't even remember how I came by it, but it's available at http://www.briontoss.com/catalog/videos.html . Rich -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Joe Murphy Sent: Friday, March 01, 2013 3:53 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: Shroud tension I followed these same instructions. I couldn't believe how much slop it took out of the stays and shrouds. It doesn't affect raising and lowering the mast since I rounded out the aft corners of the mast base. Joe SeaFrog----- Original Message ----- From: Rich Makela To: 'For and about Montgomery Sailboats' Sent: Friday, March 01, 2013 12:59 PM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Shroud tension Tom, I follow the recommendations in a video produced by Brian Toss of Port Townsend. His numbers are consistent with those that appear on the Loos web site. I use a Loos gauge to measure the tension. I've been using the following numbers for several years with good results. Lower Shroud 10% of breaking strength (210 lbs) 25 on Loos gauge Upper Shroud 15% of breaking strength ( 315 lbs) 32 on Loos gauge Forestay 12% of breaking strength ( 396 lbs) 41 on Loos gauge Backstay 15% of breaking strength ( 315 lbs) 32 on Loos gauge This assumes that the forestay is 5/32 and all the rest are 1/8 Rich Makela M-17 #233 - Harmony -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Tom Jenkins Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 5:27 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: M_Boats: Shroud tension Hi gang, I am usually too busy under such conditions, but I noticed that the lower lee shrouds on my M17 show a little slack when I beat to weather at wind speeds over 25 knots. I am reluctant to start a tightening regime because the shrouds are just loose enough for me to raise and lower the mast without loosening and tightening the turnbuckles each cycle. Should I be concerned with the situation? Can one expect some permanent stretching of the shrouds with use? Will the presumed slight bowing of the mast to leeward be a problem? Thanks in advance for your comments. Tom Jenkins M17 Scintilla