Adding a way to pull mast forward and stop it banging

I sometimes sail in a choppy bay and I hate how the rig bangs around unless I have a good breeze holding it over. I am not trying to have a loose rig, it just seems to have slack, especially downwind. Last winter I installed a traveler in the hope that would help me keep tension on the sail, but the mast still bangs around.

I wonder if a pulley arrangement to let me pull the mast tightly forward would solve this problem? Something between the mast tang and adjuster. I'd use it mostly downwind, I think. I know it will impact mast rotation but I read that's not critical downwind.

Is this a dumb idea or do you think it will work? Anyone done it?

Anything that can go wrong... for example, I'm slightly worried about the pulleys damaging the forestay?

The issue is free swinging mast rotation I'd bet. A possible mast rotation control could be something like a 3/8" bungee attached to the luff track then wrapped left or right around the mast and then pulled to an anchor point outboard.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Thanks Matt. I will try that. I wonder if rotation is the whole story though. I think the mast also goes side-to-side due to slack in the shrouds. Maybe it's normal and I just have to get used to it.

You can tension the wires too.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)