J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum Racing Tools and Techniques how to keep proper tensions

Just a thought - if you measured without the backstay loose, it will make the lowers slack more. Was the backstay fully slack for both measurements? If it was, you have some serious issues with your rig moving. Check things like base of the mast not locked in place or more seriously pending failure such as attachment points (chainplates, fittings on shrouds) etc. Moving from 40 to 32 is a whole bunch of turns on the turnbuckles!