Hmmm that could be due to our (mine and my crew's) limited experience on these boats, so maybe the bowsprit was not set at the correct height and/or the sail was not properly set. COnsider that by the time that picture was taken (July this year) that was probably our third or fourth time out with that boat. Anyway this is a very good point. Since I'm here: what are the golden rules to properly set the spi on an F18?