<<A Bucket List built to the same spec as the M32 (all carbon)
would give the M32 a run for it's money around a short
course>>
You could also pump up the Ex40 or C50 to similar specs by
increasing rig height, though the single mast on Bucket List is
going to be faster in light air because it's taller and quicker to
shunt.
To me, there are three questions:
- How crazy do I have to be in terms of wanting my cruiser to
compete with racing boats? (well, somewhat).
- At what wind speed am I willing to put in my first reef in
order to have an insane amount of light wind sail area. (ten to
fifteen knots).
- How tall am I willing to have the bare poles be in a storm.
(should be able to weather a serious blow on drogues).
I think all three goals can be met on the Ex40 by pumping the sail
area up to 70 square meters, though 60 to 65 might be more sane.
I'm not entirely sure about the wind speed on the first reef or the
bare poles requirement, but I think both are do-able.
But I don't know about the C50. There's a lot to be said about
not going too extreme on a larger boat if you're not going to have a
constantly-alert crew large enough to manage it.
Another point in favor of going taller instead of adding a
screecher is that the unstayed masts will help tolerate gusts,
letting you carry more sail area with less risk and effort, than
compared to a stayed mast with a huge headsail. That will make most
people faster around most courses (boats with teams of skilled crew
excepted).
- Mike
The mast is strong enough, but not stiff enough.
Upwind sails (and fast boats sail near upwind apparent)
regardless of the true wind direction need huge luff
tension to set well. This is impossible on an unstayed
mast. It is also difficult to sheet them when they are
tacked to the lee hull. Shunting is a pain; they have
to be moved from end to end. Symmetry doesn't work as
the boom has to rotate through the screecher.
These are the obvious reasons why harrys don't carry
screechers, but there are less obvious ones as well.
The weight of the screecher, the extra crew, the sheet,
halyard, furler, winches and the beefing up all these
require have to be carried upwind. On a light boat, this
is a significant portion of the all up weight. Including
the extra weight to make the boat strong enough, it is not
far off 50% using your numbers. The lighter the boat,
the higher the power to weight ratio and the less a
screecher is required. I am not sure when the trade off
makes the non screecher boat faster all round but it
definitely exists. A Bucket List built to the same spec as
the M32 (all carbon) would give the M32 a run for it's
money around a short course. In terms of cost,
maintenance and ease of sailing the non screecher boat is
a no brainer.