Well,

Thats all great advice, i've bought an old "learn to sail" book that has a lot of info on weather/lee helm and am understanding the balance of the sails/rudder more now.

I'll rake the rudders and trial it, if I think its needs improving more i'll rake the mast forward a notch. The thing is that the aft stays are attached at the very top ring of the brindle-thingame-whatsit. I might have to go get a longer set - Or do you think a grunty shackle would do the job?.

Thanks for the info.