Rig loading with deck stepped mast on a Flicka

[Ian McColgin]

You're doing fine. There are plenty of boats with deck stepped boats where the step is supported on a usually arched deck beam rather than a compression post. If engineered properly, like the old Electra, a very early cruiser by Pearson with more hulls done in the daysailor Ensign version, it's plenty strong enough for the small rig.

In general a rig is tensioned to the point where the lee shrouds in a good breeze are just unloaded. Not slack but not bar taught. At that point, the total compression of the loaded shrouds and stays on the mast and step is the same as with a rig that's slack when no sail is up. So, having a slack rig does not rest things to any meaningful extent.

Sometimes in winter a rig, especially on an older wooden hull, might be detuned a little, but not slacked to the point of rattling about. If too loose, the rig will just shake the boat and stress the fastenings even sitting on the mooring.

G'luck