skiffs are edge of capsize craft. So more important than complete aero efficiency is automatic depowering. Much more so than any cat.. Most skiff classes are over powered..

There have been experiments with wing masts but they only have gained footholds in the lower powered classes.. MG14 and NS 14. The Bethwaite wing mast was successful in Cherubs in the 80s.. But keeping it in good nick was a major PITA.. So much so Bethwaite himself switched to the D mast for his Taser class..

A semi successful carbon wingmast version was used in the "R" class variant of the 12.. Then the R is a limited sail area. (roughly the same as the standard Number 3 rig of a 12).. What they were looking for was extra "sail" in the mast area which is unrestricted. But if you then look at what the "standard" 12 carry.. NO cat comes close in terms of ratios!!

example.. my old 18 had a 300sm meter number 1 kite. Main stick was above around 11 meters over the deck. all on a F18 sized boat.. Power wasnt the issue.. keeping the stick out of the water was!! The 12s were far more extreme than my old barge..