Good question because I get the feeling I am not getting as much as I should but can't tell. It gets really difficult to pull more than maybe 3 inches from snug to "can't get anymore." Which seems like way too little. Much different than the previous boats I have been on but those masts were longer and had different purchase systems. It seems to do what it is supposed to though even with only 3 inches.

It is hard to get it beyond that aside from one handing it with one foot on the mast which really makes me nervous. I think that much effort should be unnecessary and if this is the case, there needs to be another pruchase in there somewhere).