[sailingdog]

Just remember, tightening the backstay on a fractionally rigged boat flattens both the mainsail, by curving the mast, and the headsail, by tensioning the forestay.

But you do need to use it in conjunction with the cunningham and the outhaul to get the best results.

 

[sailingdog]

Adewall-

I think it would be more accurate to say that a Nonesuch is a cat-rigged sailboat, since they're really not catboats. Traditionally, catboats are usually gaff-rigged as well, which a Nonesuch is not.

Catboats are a specific breed of sailboats, which are small, beamy, shallow draft, generally without a weighted keel or much in the way of ballast—depending mostly on form stability to stay upright.

 

[sailingdog]

Corsair trimarans don't have a backstay.