Exactly on a fractional rig when you tighten up the back stay it bends the mast and flattens out the main sail to de-power it. it does tighten up the fore stay some also. On a mast heat rig tightening up the back stay will just tighten the fore stay you will not have as much control of mast bend.Newell wrote:I use the adjustable backstay to shape the mainsail to reduce heeling when the windspeed rises and I'm determined to keep the boat competitive and have some fun in the face of worsening conditions. I also tighten the boom outhaul.
As for where to fly the Asymmetrical spinnaker I wold not fly it from the top unless you only do it in light wind conditions or convert to mast head. My 26s had a hole drilled in the mast about half way between the uppers and the top. Instead of drilling a new hole I chose to use that one for my asymmetrical spinnaker block. I have been knocked down before in 20kts of wind and everything held up fine. I fly my spin from that block and from a 2ft bow sprit. That gives me around a 12.3 ft J and a 25.4 ft I for a 28 ft Luff. I am going to have a full spinnaker made with those measurements and I imagine it will need to be taken down as soon as white caps show up. My spinnaker I have now is about 5 ft short.
