Ed,



I have a 5.2 with the straight spreaders. The deal is that you have to rotate the mast more than boats with raked spreaders to depower the main. This is because you can only get the mast to bend on the minor axis (thinest cross section) but with the raked spreaders, they can induce "pre-bend" on the major axis and need to rotate less.



On the straight spreader that you and I have, more diamond wire tension allows less bend in the mast and will power up the main (light air, choppy water). Looser diamonds will allow you to depower (less drag / more efficiency) the main by flattening it more.



On my 5.2, in moderate conditions I should be able to put both my hands 12" up from the bottom of the diamonds and press them in touching the mast. If it get's windier, I back them off a bit.