Thanks guys, I thought I had read somewhere that the lengths had been changed throughout the years and I initially believed this to be the case by using a new forestay with existing shrouds, however, the old and newly purchased forestay are the same lengths(measured 'em).

So, the shrouds did tighten once I tightened the jib halyard and let the forestay go loose. But with the shrouds already in the lowest hole on the adjusters I cannot tighten them any further and thus the boat seems to be stuck in a loose rig. I haven't done this since I was ten or eleven with my father's 16. I sailed an 18 that was raise and go for a few years and i'm learning all over again by trial-and-error.

I just stepped the mast solo to follow the advice and now having thought about it i'm thinking that if I set the shrouds in the first hole in the adjuster before raising the mast and then tighten the jib halyard once raised, I will gain the ability to then retighten the shrouds by pulling on trap wires. I will eventually try this but thought i'd reply to make sure i'm right.

p.s. Jack you're more than welcome to skip the wedding and go sail on Lake Hickory.