Reading the posts, some things I don't understand. They are:
"If you move the step forward to the 1" mark as per class rules, the point of headstay attachment on the mast (i.e. the hounds) will move almost 5" aft."-- How is this possible, if (geometrically speaking) the amount of movement of the headstay in the fore and aft direction is fixed by the headstay length, and the length of the mast from the headstay point to the bottom of the mast? I do agree that moving the butt forward will reduce prebend, and also reduce headstay sag, HOWEVER, since our boats are underpowered anyway, why is it important to reduce headstay sag? More sag = more power and higher pointing ability and speed to windward. My experience has been that the setting of the mast butt, (which sets the prebend of the mast) should be based upon the luff curve set in the mainsail, such that the chord depth is controllable in all conditions. In classes such as the Etchells 22 and J-24, the prebend is adjusted (but not universally agreed upon within each class) based upon wind strength. I am not going to re enter the discussion of standard rig settings because they are WAY too tight.
Art Ahrens
