The picture was ment as an example of a very loose mainsheet. I know one of the sailors onboard and he is very competent, so I guess there was something going on before the picture.. Still a very loose mainsheet tough

As for stretching the bridle stays for the tip of the bowsprit back to the forestay fittings, I dont like it. You need loads of prebend, compression (and the possible buckling) will be larger and the resultant force on the forestay fitting will be in a different direction than it was designed for.

Bill, you are right, depending on what cat you are sailing. On the Tornado we let out about 15cm on the traveller when looking for power and let the downhaul off. Not touching the outhaul or rotation much. When the wind gets stronger, we let the mast rotate fully, and use the traveller to depower if neccesary. As long as you trim the main so leech telltales are flying 50% you are doing well. The main in the picture can not have an efficient exit for the wind and drag must be large.