Wow that thread is A LOT of reading!

Anyway, a guy at my local sailing shoppe basicaly said the same thing as you...that the 5.2 is a simpler rig, isnt using mylar sails (or sails cut for prebend), and that I should just use mainsheet tension.

However, I read Russ McDonalds "Basic" 5.2 tuning guide dated 1996 which states "Use plenty of downhaul as this will allow more tension on the main sheet, giving greater leach tension hence more power and height. Use downhaul to depower, not main sheet. Work the downhaul in gusts and release in the lulls. Leave main strapped on hard. You can dump up to about 100mm of traveler if needed to depower without affecting the pointing ability."

So this guy was the 1996 Austrailian 5.2 champion. Would this mean he was using equipment that far acceeds the simple 1983 stuff I have on my boat?

Dont mean to pound a subject to death but this really grabbed my attention and is something Id like to use even if its not a lot becuase of my older (read ancient) mast.

One of the reasons I bought the 5.2 was to start using skills that will transfer to a better boat ie an F16-
Thanks for the comments!