It is all about square footage.

This photo is of a fractional rig sloop, who some believe to be superior to a mast head rig. By using a fractional rig, you are able to rack the mast further aft, which allows a performance advantage in some conditions. To weather, you can make the sails flatter...which equates to speed. The large mainsail provides most of the power...upwind and downwind. The smaller head sail is easier to control for a smaller crew. On reaches, the spinnaker and bloopers are smaller, so you don't get the power or square footage of a masthead rig.

I prefer a masthead rig...takes more people to drive, but when you get it right...ain't nothing like it. Downwind, a masthead sloop with a Tri-radial spinnaker, and a nice Blooper are hard to beat. The thrill of getting the boat balanced is worth it, although, rounding marks can be very interesting. I'm telling you from experience...you can get your ass killed being a foredeck monkey on a nice boat in a good blow. Stuff happens fast...really really fast.

I started out as a sewer rat...moved to foredeck cat, and then to a trimmer. My decision...moved back (forward) to the foredeck because that it what I'm best at. Although, I can trim with the best...the fordeck is where the action is.

No good foredeck monkey...no win races.

I can also handle driving, but I yell at everyone too much because they're not doing it exactly like I would.

I can tie bunny knots and pack sails like you wouldn't believe.

Racing sailboats is a passion of mine.

I miss it....