lower shrouds or cutter stay/runner. With an increasing load on the forestay, the masthead will want to move forwards, with the risk of a negative bend. This must be prevented. Even if the masthead in its original position is well aft, it is usually necessary to use some sort of backstay tensioner to counteract this movement. • When you are satisfied with the tuning, lock the rigging screws. • A new rig on a new yacht will need adjusting after sailing for some time. When the tuning at the end of the first season is satisfactory, mark the setting on the rigging screws. Enter your figures on page 80. This makes it easy to tune the rig at the start of the next season. Cutter stay and runners A cutter stay in combination with runners also affects the forward bend of the mast. Runners are tensioned with winches and/or tackles to a maximum of 30% of their breaking load.
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