Getting that mast 45 deg off the wind is not always so simple! Cost me the championship in the last H-17 CC's in Lk Carlyle! I really like the idea of the chute/sea anchor to get the bows into the wind! I also plan to experiment with the idea of letting the sail lift the mast. I'm thinking that leading the Mainsheet UNDER the floating hull will enable you to maintain the main sheeted tight AND in the full travelled-out position. With the "chute" keeping your bows closer to the wind, I can see the possible mechanism in this technique being a real winner! Can't wait to try it out! Anyone know if such a "chute"/sea anchor is readily available? One word of caution I would add...using a righting bag for add'l weight can be a real challenge, and potentially dangerous if the boat rights and gets powered up (yes it can & does happen!)...that bag can drag you under real quick. JOHN