[paulk]

Loose rigging is probably not a good idea. It can put undue strains on fittings & wires if they suddenly get "snapped tight" with a load when you tack, for example, or if the mast is slapping around in waves. With a Catalina 27 you''re not likely to break much of anything if the rig is simply snugged up all around before you leave the dock, and you make adjustments under sail. Aluminum masts can take a good deal of abuse without becoming permanent pretzels. On our 27 foot Soling, we used to put in almost a foot of mast bend (chord depth) in heavy air - about 3x the mast''s fore/aft thickness. On one occasion or another we also managed to lose a shroud without losing the mast or anything else overly expensive. It''s not something you go out trying to do, of course.