Tensioning the rig, I would not recommend doing this with the mainsail up, as you run the risk of capsizing the boat on land or dismasting if there is a wind gust or shift.
There are two methods you can use. The first is to use two people and have one person hang their weight on the trap lines to hold the mast up while the second person adjusts the shroud wire. The second is to use the approach you described in your post, but instead of doing this with the mainsail raised, use the main halyard. Simply connect the halyard ring to the aft end of the boom, pull the halyard to raise the boom up 2-3 feet and tie off the halyard securely. Then swing the boom out to one side of the rear crossbar, pull in the mainsheet, and the shroud will go slack, allowing it to be tightened.
Its important to note that you should tighten the rig before raising and tensioning the jib, otherwise you run the risk of breaking the jib halyard when you load up the mainsheet.
For diamond wires, generally just keep them snug. You can loosen them a little to allow more mast bend in high winds, but for the most part you just want them moderately tight. Most of the mast bend will come from the comptip. You can press evenly on them or wrap a bungee around the mast a few feet up from the bottom to make sure they are both tensioned the same.
sm
|