On Sun, 01 Jan 2006 13:14:55 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:

The biggest change, as you have said and I have agreed in backhand,
would be achieved by an increase in stability.

=======================

Racing boats do this all the time by loading up the rail with crew,
and it is very effective. There is a rule of thumb which states that
a pound of weight on the rail is worth two pounds in the keel.
Depends on the boat of course, but crew weight acts on stability
immediately, whereas ballast weight has to be heeled at some angle
first.

That said, flattening the mainsail by any means possible, and pulling
the draft further forward is also very effective at reducing weather
helm.