Submitted on July 28, 2003 by Dominick Zangari, MD

Question: Could someone please answer a very simple question??? Does backstay tension need to be increased or decreased when sailing DOWNWIND?
AND WHY??

Thanks,
Dom

Answer: Dear Dom,

Here's a simple answer: backstay tension should be decreased when sailing downwind to make the mainsail fuller and to decrease the tension in the headstay (by making the mast go forward).

Good luck!

Regards, Dan Neri

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