Backstay tension

Posted By: Troy G
Date: 6/14/11 8:38p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

Hi, I'm a newer sailor. As I've been getting better sailing my M17, I'm starting to realize what's right and what could be improved. I think my backstay tension is a little loose. The forestay(roller furling so it can't be adjusted) tension seems a little loose when I sail. The luff and furler bounce around quite a bit especially over waves. The only way I can fix this is by adjusting the backstay tension I think. How tight is too tight for the backstay? What is the best way to decide if it's tight enough? I think I need to tighten, but I don't want to over stress the rig by having it too tight. Thanks, Troy