[Andy Schell]

I have a similar question to Brian Duff's about mizzen mast loads. I'm attempting to re-design the mizzen mast on my 35' yawl to eliminate the need for a triatic stay. I intend to add intermediate shrouds 16' up on a 21' mast, and bring them forward, to replace the triatic. Is there a magic angle I need to provide that staying? It's currently approximately 25" forward of the mast base, and I read somewhere that one inch fore/aft is minimum for 1 foot of rise on the mast.

Also, the rig used to have aft-swept spreaders. I'm wondering if I can do away with them...this decreases the shroud angle to 9 degrees, but the mizzen sail is only 50 sq. ft., so the forces are very low - I'm using 7mm dux rigging. Obviously there will be more mast compression without spreaders, but can I compensate by pre-tensioning the uppers more than I would with spreaders?