On the topic of stiffness, what sort of deflection are ppl getting in their main beam under full rig tension? And, what deflection are ppl getting in their bows (transversely) under full rig tension?
I found it difficult to maintain rig tension on my ply mozzie because there was heaps of deflection in both of these. I managed to increase the dolphin striker tension which helped reduce the main beam deflection.
I was always curious why my leeward stay is always flapping in the breeze even when I set the stays fairly tight on the beach. The mast slaps a little if you put it head to wind and get rocked by the waves. I looked at the main beam one day when I was out and didn't notice any significant deflection. I figured it out though- the mast is flexible enough that the sheeting on the main and the downhaul bend the mast pulling the hound lower... The HT I used to sail didn't hardly do this at all but I figure it had to be because of the HT's overbuilt carbon mast isn't as flexible.
I am afraid to tighten the rig anymore - and it is pretty tight now- because I leave it mast up and don't have the time/energy to loosen/tighten everytime. Some people don't like this, but I figure the mast slamming back and forth if they are loose is worse.
