I have a question on this topic, if anyone cares to share a secret. With regards to rake what length is good for the forestay? I'd imagine that SF boats have more rake, how about Detroit? Also what is the preferred method of measuring? Is the method described in the North tuning guide in the articles page used in this fleet? It seems standard practice in one design.

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:: :: Based on our experience in the Pacific NW, we have
:: :: performed much better in medium to light airs with less
:: :: rake vs. more rake when using the No. 1. We slack off
:: :: the backstay to create forestay sag (ie. power) and
:: :: control luff sag with runners as the wind increases. The
:: :: main is full and powerful in these conditions. As the
:: :: wind increases we pull on backstay to flatten the top of
:: :: the main, create twist, and take over tensioning to the
:: :: forestay. The aft lowers are fully adjustable with block
:: :: and tackle and set to accomodate mast bend as the vang
:: :: is pulled on to help flatten the lower sections of the
:: :: main.
:: ::
:: :: With more rake we were able to point better, but we had
:: :: much more helm. Acceleration was very slow and overall
:: :: speed was slow. Go for LESS rake in these situations -
:: :: this is very fast.