The back stay on our previous boat was adjustable. THe boat did point higher with it tenisioned. I would reduce tension going down wind, but could really tell no difference in preformance. Some of the better sailors around here tell me to forget the adjuster and just tighten up the back stay and leave it alone. So the question is to back stay or not? Is there an advantage to easing back stay tension at different points of sail? Thanks, Ron