DC> RR> Thus, if the boat is heeled 15 degrees with the two people of the 
ail
DC> RR> you will have the exact same force trying to right the hull 
EGARDLESS
DC> RR> OF THE SAIL SHAPE!!!!!  It doesn't even matter if you reef!  The
DC>Ahh, but it must.  You are talking about keeping an equilibrium

DC>Further, a reefed main would project less sail air and
DC>the result would be less heel in the same wind velocity when
DC>considering similarly trimmed sails.  After all, it was only

We actually agree.  My point is that if you have your boat heeled 15
degrees you have approximately the same tension on the shrouds
regardless of wind condition and sail trim.  The boat may be heeled 15
degrees with a reef in strong wind.  The boat may be heeled 15 degrees
in 10 knots because the sails are nice and powerful.  In either case,
the tension in the shrouds would be comparable.
Yes, you can reduce the amount of heel by adjusting sail trim.  If the
boat goes flatter, yes, the shroud tension is reduced.
DC>I think something that would be interesting to look at is
DC>shroud tension when hard on the wind, on a true reach and
DC>finally on a run.  I know the lee shrouds are slack on a
DC>on a beat, and both are in tension on a run.  I'm not
DC>quite sure of the forces on a beam reach, however....  I'm
DC>guessing that there is some tension on the lee shroud on
DC>that point of sail.
The beat and reach are easy; though I doubt if youare convinced yet.
You can look at how far the boat is heeled.
The shroud tensions on a run is a really hairy problem on a boat like
mine where the shrouds are swept aft.  This is because the backwards
force can come from any combination of tensions in the backstay,
shrouds, and mainsheet.  To do the calcualtions you would have to
accurately know the "springyness" the hull, mast and shrouds.  If you
had the expertise and computer power to do the analysis you would, most
likely, be working on something much more important! 
Cheers, r
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