I have posted info about my attempts to create planing speed with my Tiger Shark. I continue with that plan but have some questions about why the short sloop rig would run well up and down wind instead of just across it. I have cut 6 feet of the mast and square topped the sail. These are rough old sails re-cut. I went out with this boat against a good sailor on my very tidy H17 running a brand new pentax square top. I beat the Hobie in varying conditions up, down and across the wind. The only time the Hobie had legs on me was in variable 5 knots up wind into rough chop and a 5 foot swell. I was astonished to beat the Hobie up wind in ten knots with all that power up top against my sawn of shotgun mast, although I understand that the rake on the TS would help. I was also astonished to beat it down wind because of that same rake and short mast.
I am asking if any other cat than the Hobie 16 is raking mast for a perceived power gain? If you know of one can you post a photo? Thanks
