Tod, That's another area where I could use some "expert" advice. I keep the rig tensioned so that when hard on the wind the leward shrouds are lose but not floppy. I set that tension after looking up the mast while sailing hard. I'm not sure if it is precisely where it should be, but I wanted it so it held the mast in column without too much pressure on the deck and compression post. It's a guess, but it seems to be working. John Miss T M17 # 372