[JimMcGee]

Oversizing rigging is not a good idea - especially on a boat that is not going offshore. Rigging is tensioned to a percentage of its breaking strength. The larger the wire the bigger the loading. It puts more strain on a boat that wasn't designed for it. All told a waste of money.

Another thing to consider, because the rigging is tensioned to a percentage of breaking strength. If you have a deck stepped mast the extra rig tension may cause deck cracks allowing water into the core.

I know someone who over tensioned their rig and had exactly that happen. The fix was ugly and expensive.

As for tensioning by "feel" a Loos gauge isn't really all that expensive when you consider the possible cost of repairs and that you'll have it a lifetime.