the length of the boat doesn't do very well in chop. I am glad I didn't do the RTI this year on the blade (short version that it was) because the 18HT was getting battered by the chop on the gulf and I saw the 20s slopping around alot also. My thought is to trim for as much power as you can and/or foot off some to develop some speed. I am not sure how raking the mast would help too much but my understanding of rake is limited (allows you to point better? hurts downwind performance- at least without a spin?)