I just wondered if anyone had done any comparisons:

In light air, when there's not enough wind to hike out, would it be better to sit on the leeward hull (or even hike to leeward) to raise the windward hull? Does getting one hull out or on plane cause less drag than the extra drag of the leeward hull digging in more?

I ask because I see Y-Flyer and Scow sailors often sitting on the leeward side to force the boat up on edge, when there's not enough wind to make it heel on its own. And unfortunately, light air is more common here, especially in warmer weather.

Any thoughts?

Dear IndyWave,

That's a good question. I've always thought that the object of hiking out was to force the hull down and thus reduce the drag on the leeward hull. I was out yesterday in light wind and the drag on the leeward hull (when I got the chance to fly) seemed quite considerable. So I'd be very interested in an answer to this as well.

Regards, Tim

Monohulls sit on the leeward side to get the sail to fill in. Their sails are not battened. Battened sail hold the shape in the sail and that is why cats can ghost along so well in light air.
The scow is not only a monohull, but if sailed flat has a tremendous amount of wetted surface.
The Wave is best sailed with a little depression of the leeward hull, but not extreme.
RIck

In the summer I sail on a lake that has very light air (most the time) and on my 18sq. I used to often sail from the leeward hull often from in front of the forward beam to get the bow down and the transom up. At lease going upwind.

It helps if you can two boat test to find what placment is best for your boat.

An 18 Sq is a totally different animal -- it has a fine bow entry and long waterline. The Wave bow entry looks more like a beer can and is only 13' long. By depressing the leeward hull too much all you are doing is adding more bad bow entry.
Basically, it is a balancing act of keeping the bows out of the water, and at the same time keep the sterns leaving the water clean.., almost impossible task.

Totally agree on the speed testing.