Outhaul under load?

[Alec H]

On any sail charter, I find at least two lines are always under load - the jib halyard and the outhaul. Now that I have taken my boat out of charter, I wonder if there is a reason to keep the outhaul tensioned when at anchor or docked. Why stretch the foot of the sail? Same questions might apply to the jib halyard.

[Training Wheels]

Never keep your outhaul tensioned.

[roverhi]

Have always slacked off on the main outhaul and roller fueling jib halyard when leaving the boat. Don’t know if it cuts down on stretch of the fabric but why chance it when it’s so easy to let off the tension.