Paul Temples Beginners Rig Tuning Guide
Paul kindly responded to some questions on the javelinskiff mailing list about basic rig set-up. His answer is reproduced here for those new to the class to get an ideas of the basic rig tuning parameters. Rob Fordyce

So let us assume 7-15 knots say. I realise this is a large wind range but I tend to use the same
rig settings in this range and use sail adjustments to change gear as the breeze changes.

Pre- bend:
Start with no pre-bend ie. mast straight from base to spreaders with the use
of the mast ram. I would not typically let any ram off in this wind range.

Rake:
I would set the boat up with the rig tension on, with the water line parallel to the ground. ie. Normal sailing trim. Eye the top of the mast from a distance or use a plumb line such that the top of the mast is above a point somewhere near the centre to back of the centre case.

Don't be to fusy but find the easiest way of measuring this for yourself then you will know when you want to increase or decrease. Generally speaking if you don't think you can point as high as you would expect try more rake. Although there are of cause about a thousand other factors in pointing.

Rig Tension:
There are of cause rig tension gauges and rig tension gauges and I'm not sure what mine is calibrated in but I work on around 35 on my gauge. Don't know how this helps. You may have to see if anyone has something you can use. Thing is to have a starting point and work from there.

I personally don't play with rig tension a whole lot. I put on as much as I think the hull can easilly take.

Spreaders:
You can do a lot with this adjustment. Don't forget you have three adjustment with your spreaders.

1. The position of the spreader bracket up and down the mast is probably not one we want to play with alot but bear it in mind, especially if you are replacing a mast. Somewhere slightly above halfway between the lowest and highest point of mast control may be a good starting point. ie. between where your side stays control the mast at the top and your check stays, ram or mast gate controls it at the bottom.

2 Spreader angle. This is simpler than you may think. Starting point for this is a neutral position. ie whereby the angle of the spreaders is not bending the mast off. Having said that if you are over powered angle them back to give mast bend or angle them forward to straighten it.

3 The spreader length. This is basically how much do I want the top of the mast to fall off when a puff hits. I remember when I had my spreaders too long and had great difficulty on a puffy day sailing on the wind. When the puff hits you want the boat to accelerate forward not power up and trip over.

Another factor in this equation is crew weight because on the other side of the coin you don't want to loose too much power in the rig either. So if you have no idea what lenght you need and you have the opportunity to have a fiddle. Start with them too long and wack a couple of inches off until you are happy about the acceleration in puffs.