Rig Tension

I use a guage every season to tune my rig.  (In fact, I use 2.)  My cap shrouds, forestay and backstay (above the split) are all 3/16" wire so I use the Loos 90 lb guage.  The other shrouds on my boat are 1/8"  or 5/32" wire (I forget off-hand), so I use the smaller Loos guage for those.  I tension according to the appropriate specs included with the tension guages for the diameter of the wire I'm tuning.  I tension first thing when the boat is launched, boom on, but no sails, then again about 2 - 3 weeks later.  I sail alone, so I don't check the rig whilst underway.  Apart from this, I go by feel.  If it doesn't feel the same under sail on both tacks, I check my rigging again.  I've never found any documentation about tuning a Contessa 26 specifically.  There is a post under Contessa 26 Tech Notes, titled "Rigging Notes" that you could also refer to .

Cheers.

Carolyn