The boat's "performance is affected by lots of things...as is the boat's "center of effort".

Rig rake is one of them.

As a result mast rake affects the boat's pointing, weather and lee helm characteristics.

Most boat's center of effort is also affected by the point of sail, how the main is cut, etc.

Some of this you've probably felt in how the "helm feels". This changes when going to weather or sailing down wind.

"Helm feel" also seems to change as wind and boat speeds increase.

It changes as one rakes the ruddrs fore or aft.

Of course helm characteristics or "feels" is also affected by how one balances the sheeting of the main and jib or spinnaker.

I find on most boats when going to weather the helm maybe more "weatherly" as the wind and boat speeds get higher and when running the helm will be less so and even be a neutral or even become a lee helm as wind and boat speed increase down wind (perhaps a dangerous thing).

The center of effort on a stock boat is probably close to a line drawn between the dagger boards.

It is the pivot point about which the boat's mast and rudders pivot.

If the boat's center of effort is in front of that dagger board line the boat has weather helm (a good thing unless taken to an extreme).

If the mast rake moves the boat's center of effort aft of that line the boat has lee helm (not a good thing at all).

You can get rid of lee helm by raking the mast or get rid of overly heavy weather helm by rake the mast less.

I'd like to hear what others have to say, in answer to your question.