The position of the mast step has an enormous impact on rig tune. 1" of movement forward at the step (assuming the partners are the fulcrum) translates to ~8 1/2" further aft at the top of the shrouds (when the rig is not tensioned). All the tuning guide settings assume the step is in the proper position. If the step is too far aft, the rig will not have nearly enough rake and will have too much prebend when tensioned. I have firsthand knowledge of this-my step was in the wrong place for the first several years that I owned Blue Meanie. Fixing it made a HUGE difference!