On Wed, 27 Oct 2010 07:54:46 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch
wrote:

Anybody here experience with a lateen rig?

A long time ago on my first sailing vessel, a sailing canoe on Lake
Ontario to be precise. A lateen rig is not a very efficient
performer as you have observed, not even close to the efficiency of a
Laser. Trying to point too high is a mistake. Let it reach off a bit
and keep your speed up. The strength of the lateen rig is in its
simplicity.