Actually, one sail is inherently more close winded and efficient than
two or more. Catboats can sail quite close to the wind. The rub is
having to have a mast which is not as good a leading edge.

When throwing around these broad generalizations, you have to keep
mind that it isn't fair to compare a sloop with a very efficient hull
and keels, good sails, and all sorts of sail controls, with a
traditional catboat with a gaff, centerboard, etc. There's much more
to it than just the sail plan. Even the hulls of the modern catboats
such as the Nonsuch boats are not the same hulls found under many
sloop rigs.

--

Roger Long



"~^ beancounter ~^" wrote in message
oups.com...
yea, good point...i guess i would say
they can't sail near as close to the wind...
as a sloop can......