>Geez you guys, I hate to rain on your parade but stop and think for a
>minute.....
>
>The sail is an airfoil and the lift generated is going to be perpendicular
to
>the foil. If you start lengthening the windward shroud, tilting the mast
>towards the water, it's going to have the effect opposite of what you
intend
>- the lift vector is going to be pointing at the water, trying to pull the
>boat over, kind of like an upside down airplane wing.
>
>What you need to do in an "overpower" situation is to reduce the lift
>generated by the sail:
>
>Decrease the angle of attack. This is most easily accomplished on a P-15 by
>letting out the mainsheet. On larger boats where it's necessary to cleat
the
>main, heading up accomplishes the same thing, though it takes you off your
>chosen course.
>
>Decrease the depth of the foil. By flattening the sail you will reduce the
>amount of lift generated. Tighten the outhaul and the downhaul (See Judy
for
>tips on bending the mast to flatten the main)
>
>Reduce sail area. Do the obvious thing, reef!! If you can't reef, lower one
>of the sails.
>
>Please don't take offense, but mankind has been perfecting the design of
>boats for millenia - if there was a free lunch out there, I think it would
>have been found by now.....
>
>
>Best regards,
>
>Dave Kautz
>P-15 #1632 Tilly Lucy
>Palo Alto, CA