I have a few quick questions regarding speed. Does anyone want to chime in?

1) Besides pointing ability, can mast rake have any effect on speed, whether pinching, reaching, or running?

2) Rudders parallel versus slight toe-in -- which is better for speed? My current cat's manual says to make them parallel, but my Prindle recommended toe-in. Are both right for their own boat, or is one wrong? Or is toe-in really more to control weather helm (which isn't an issue for my boat)?

3) Typically speaking, which should be faster on a reach: hiked out and flat on the water with both hulls sharing the load, or flying one hull slightly over the water?

4) In moderate wind, what is the basic correlation of downhaul to speed (assuming one isn't overpowered by conditions)? Would you say, for instance, that more downhaul on a reach will typically = more speed? What about upwind and downwind?

Thanks!
Kevin
Trac 14 (and don't say to just buy a bigger boat! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)