Hi all, Thinking of removing the "riding sail" from the mast but having second thoughts. It is not effective as a riding sail as there is sufficient windage aft. The only benefit we've seen is a bit of a free push in following winds of 20 knots and more; it also helps to cut the yaw if the wind and sea are on the quarter. But while contemplating its removal, it occurred to me that there may be another reason to keep it. It has been our SOP to deploy only a windward fish in beam seas (got the idea from Beebe) when both are not needed for comfort. We do this to save fuel and achieve slightly better speed, plus we only have to retrieve one! The windward fish normally offsets the slight heel due to wind; conversely, we have seen the wind and sea veer and the windward fish become the leeward. When this happens the heel increases, and that diminishes the roll slightly. It was this that got me to thinking that we will likely have less rolling if we intentionally heel the boat further while underway. In a sailboat (we have a sailing hull) roll is reduced not only due to wind pressure on the sail but also due to the fact that as heel increases the lever arm of the ballast (about 8 tons 6 to 7 feet below the waterline in our case) is increasingly effective in resisting further heel. So my thinking is that because the effect of the ballast in preventing roll is small for the first 10 -15 degrees, it would be much more effective if the boat was already heeled that same amount, as it only acts in one direction. If the riding sail (proven to be un-needed otherwise) added to this scenario, it might be worthwhile keeping. Any thoughts or comments appreciated! Regards, John "Seahorse" **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62)