Once again, thanks, great info. Do you know how long your shrouds are? I actually just got new ones a couple weeks ago. When I put them on I ended up using one forestay adjuster and actually brought the forestay down to the 3rd hole from the bottom - I needed to straighten the mast that much to clear the step link. I'm guessing that maybe I should remove the step link when not stepping, and rake back as far as I can. I wonder, is it possible that my mast base is further forward than newer boats (mine is a 1983)? I seem to remember that on the 16s they rotated the mast base back a bit years ago when it became known that more rake was better on the boats. (Matt?) It's interesting that you talk about low profile blocks, I'm obviously not anywhere near that with my current setup, when I went out last weekend I couldn't believe how much space there was between the boom and traveler - and I'm using the original high profile blocks. Thanks for any info. Flatlander - it sounds like you're at the Nationals right now. Enjoy!