Hi Ron,
Not sure if I'm in a very good possition to comment, but I have had some success and failures adjusting the the rig tension.
I try to think of it more as a rake adjuster and as a method of de-powering the rig without loosing out ?
Generally on the beat I like to let off some tension to give me more rake, although not too much in light winds. As wind strength increases I let the mast back further. As I get overpowed (which happens more and more these days!) I reduce the tension even further, allowing the rig to twist off in the gusts. I feel the advantage of this is the loss of power is countered by the ability to keep the boat level and additional rake helps pointing. At this point I would also have max kicker and cunningham.
Anyway I'm off to South Cerney on saturday, if I don't do well I'll forget the above blame the settings and it will be back to the drawing board again and again and again...........
Could someone please enlighten me as to the philosophy behind the adjustment.