According to Bud Taplin, former general manager of Westsail, your friend has it backwards. All of the W32s had 43' masts. The later boats had a shorter foot on the main and so had less area; they were faster because they were better balanced. Perhaps your friend was speaking of differences between the W28 and W32. Regards, John "Seahorse" > The early model of Westsails, an acquaintance has one, have much bigger sail plans, and all that entails. It was one of these that one the referenced race. They had a taller mast, more square footage, and even combing to keep the water out of the cockpit. Smaller sails mean slower boat, and slow the later ones are. They earned the reputation. But the early ones were very different. Not too many with the big sail plan were made, according to my source. **************Get the Moviefone Toolbar. Showtimes, theaters, movie news & more!(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212774565x1200812037/aol?redir=htt p://toolbar.aol.com/moviefone/download.html?ncid=emlcntusdown00000001)