In order to get the best up wind performance you want to have the max straight rake in the rig this is achived by have the mast step at min setting (ie as far forward as possible) and the mast as far aft at the deck (mine is set with spar tite) and yes it has to be fixed for the N/A's.
Then you can set the forestay for max lenght. Back stay should be totally loose. With those settings you can follow the tuning guide from your sail maker. I have settings for light (< 10 knots true) medium (8-14) and heavy 14 and up
I only adjust the shrouds not the head stay
That said when we are hard on the wind going up hill the helm is totally balanced (two finger driving) up thru about 13-14 knots
After that the amount of mainsheet trim and travel becomes key to keeping the boat flat and balanced I have never had to two hand the boat when hard on the wind Reaching is a different matter that can be real work
Hope this helps
OK Back to Topic ... I'm thinking that Charlie has defined the best under 15 set up here.
Which for most of you is probably 85% of your sailing time.
25mm set back at base of mast and forestay at 35' 10.5"This is then the golden rule??? a starting foundation from where all else must be built???
Because in 99% of the time these two measurements appear to geometrically tied together. We are not going to achieve ideal forestay length/tension unless we have ideal step setback length?
then we can start talking about Shroud tension comparisons because the geometry is duplicateable?
And I think Charlie is right that the sailmakers are using this when they cut OD sails ... which in itself reinforces this golden rule.
