Hi,
I have been listening to a podcast called "Furled Sails" which is
mostly about small sailing craft. One of the events they have covered
alot has been the Everglades Challenge, which is a 300 mile race from
Tampa, FL to Key Largo through the Everglades. It is mostly kayaks and
open monohulls, but they have had a few proas as well.
The reason I am posting is that they have made a number (3 or 4)
comments about proas having not being able to sail downwind well. I
don't know if they mean speed or stability. Most of the criticism I
have heard about proas has been capsizing; not downwind performance.
Can anyone here tell me if there is an issue with proas sailing
downwind?
I assume the proas they are referring to are traditional pacific
proas, so I figured I would just get denials from the regular proa
groups. I thought people here might have more objective and informed
opinions.
If this is purely a sail size issue, I have a related question. Would
it be possible/reasonable to extend the forward boom on an easyrig and
mount a roller furled screacher there for light wind and downwind
performance? Maybe sheet it off to the end of the main boom?
Thanks,
- Gardner