You are right the balance is way off. But it is still fast. I have never been out in anything over 12 knots with the chute up on the H20. I don't want to break my boat. I think it would probably hold if the waves were not too bad. Get into some bad chop and you would probably be sorry. I also use running backstays with my chute. The backstays are a pain but they give me more confidence. I wouldn't rig one again without using a snuffer.

Mike Hill
H20 #907