Rig tuning a 40' cutter

[Brion Toss]

Hi,
Nice to hear from Bob and Brian! I concur that "loosening everything" rarely includes the jibstay. On the other hand, its starting setting will determine mast rake, as well as mast bend, and both must be achieved simultaneously with good jibstay tune. So if you are at all concerned with mast position, start with the jibstay. And note that way too many riggers hide measuring errors under the furler; don't be surprised if the turnbuckle is two-blocked -- or barely engaged -- in there.
Lovely essay on helm balance anomalies, Brian. I'll add that some boats with very deep keels develop lee helm as they heel, because the CLP actually moves aft with heel. So yes, always exceptions. Overall hull-balance-through-increasing-heel is another big factor; some boats just don't change CLP much as they heel, which is mostly a good thing, unless you want to induce helm.
I'll finish with a favorite rant. Could we please try to avoid the term "professional rigger"? If you are going to a doctor, no one asks you if they are a professional doctor, right? No one says "professional architect" or "professional electrician." This is because we already assume that these trades require levels of skill and commitment not likely to be the provenance of amateurs. The inference with "professional rigger," I believe, is that the art is so simple that extraordinary skill and knowledge is needed before you might even think about having the gall to charge for your services. If someone is a rigger, and deserving of the title, they possess a body of mechanical and abstract skills that are profound, intricate, and elegant.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss