Summary: a properly designed stretchy sail (one that flattens with higher pressure) is an advantage in highly variable conditions.
How does a stretchy sail flatten as it reaches higher pressure? The stretching that you refer to - is it due to pressure generated by additional downhaul (cunningham) and main sheet?
Perhaps to a lesser degree but the lack of stretch in composite sail cloth is easily offset by the amount of bend induced in the mast is it not? Mine looks like a bananna when we're at full depower mode. My question is, with the adjustment range that we (cats) have isn't a stretchy sail is less necessary?
