HS stuff
Because the 33RH has in-line spreaders, the backstay adjuster is not super effective for adjusting HS tension. It will have some effect, but more than anything it will just bend the mast and flatten the mainsail (or make it fuller as you ease it).. The only real method of making HS tension adjustments on this boat when sailing is to use running backstays-which intersect the mast at the hounds...
Also-while it is true that runners or backstay adjusters can impact headstay tension (which one will depend on the type of rig and spreaders)-they do NOT affect HS length, which is really RAKE, and what this thread is about.
For any given boat, there is an optimal RAKE setting, defined primarily by HS length (but not tension), for the type of sailing you are doing (upwind, downwind, light air, heavy air, etc.). Many folks just want a setting for the average of their conditions, which is what I think is happening here.
It seems on this boat, the BS tackle has been removed so there is no adjustment available for the backstay, and he is not using runners, so I think he is looking for the HS length (RAKE) which will be an average setting taking into account he is not using a backstay adjuster or runners.
Tiki: If you have been happy with the boat's feel and performance with your current setup, go up on a spare halyard with a tape (or you can use the main halyard) and get a pin to pin measurement. Or measure the old gear when you drop it. Use this for your best guess. Get a long barrel turnbuckle for the new HS so you can shorten or lengthen it 4-6" either way after it is installed.
My question about whether you are happy with your setup is this: Are you pointing OK in light air? If so, you have enough rake. If not, you should lengthen the HS a bit. If you feel you are overpowered in the typical conditions (assuming you have the right sails up) with a lot of weather helm, you should remove some rake (shorten the HS)...
Since you sail this boat without the benefit of runners or BS adjuster, you will have to play with it until you are happy.
If I were guessing, I would shoot for about 4-6" of aft rake with the boat at rest for your type of sailing-if you want to look at it this way.
I will say this, if you do not use the BS adjuster or runners, there is no setting which is going to be ideal in all conditions. You may want to at least have a base # of turns on the HS for baseline conditions, and ease it off 2-4 turns if it is going to be a light day, or take it up a few turns if it looks like it is going to snort.
No boat will sail to its' potential in all conditions with one rig setting
Hope this helps some
Cheers,
S