Thanks Will.

:: Good question.

:: I set mine up with the lowers completly slack and put as
:: much tension on them as I can without deflecting the
:: deck. They will certainly load up plenty when going
:: upwind with the backstay on! Having the tie downs at the
:: right tension is a key part of headstay tension through
:: the aft lowers. If they are too loose the deck will flex
:: alot, the fitting will leak, and the rig will be bending
:: more than you think.
::
:: Warning- I have seen at least one boat that lost its rig
:: because the structure at the bottom of the tie down
:: failed and the loaded aft lower went through the deck. I
:: don't know the full history but it is possible that
:: later boats had their structure up graded or the
:: addition of the inline lowers and reduced weight limit
:: solved the problem. Watch for small cracks and if yours
:: looks fine then it is probably ok.
::
:: Also I have seen boats damaged or a mast lost because
:: the part of the tie down wire failed.
::
:: Very unfortunately as was shown at the 'light air'
:: nationals- it is a good idea to replace the old wire on
:: your boat periodicaly. Most riggers would say 5-7 years
:: of racing and you should consider it. If part of the
:: wire on any of your standing rigging has more than 10
:: seasons of hard racing on the bay then you should
:: consider doing it ASAP. Also I replace my wire lifelines
:: every 2 years if they need it or not. I would tell a new
:: boat owner to automaticaly change all of it if its
:: history is at all unclear. It is my personal opinion
:: that the rod uppers last much longer than the woven
:: wire- but all should be carefully inspected
:: periodically- like where they turn at the spreader tips.
::
:: I hope that helps!

:: Cheers,

:: WP
::
:: :: Aft-Lowers: It there a set-up proceedure that seems to
:: :: work in tensioning the under-deck support cables for the
:: :: aft-lowers...the ones that run from under the deck to
:: :: the bulkhead. If they are too lose, its difficult to
:: :: maintain a consistant tension in the aft-lowers, the
:: :: deck will be pulled up/develop cracks and leaks will
:: :: occur. I don't know what will happen it they are too
:: :: tight. Will the deck crack in that situation also? Will
:: :: the fitting leak also? I experienced some water leakage
:: :: at the aft-lower deck fittings during the "windless"
:: :: Nationals and before I attempt to seal the fittings, I'd
:: :: like to know how to set them up. It would be nice to set
:: :: up these suport cables and not to touch them when I
:: :: adjust the aft-lowers for specific races.