Light Winds

For displacement sailing a vessels speed potential is normally calculated (roughly) as a waterline length to sail area ratio. Ive forgotten the name of the ratio but it has been in use for a long time and while doesn't take in all the factors is the best rough performance guide there is.

Too far forward and you loose waterline length which in the light stuff will equal speed. Further, I think the transom dragging factor is often overstated - although L4000 does have a big transom...... 'does my transom look big in this?......yes!'

I thought wetted surface area was more important than waterline length if it's a drifter. Doesn't waterline length only matter in disturbed water?

In the Contender we tend to sit on the 30cm triangle of deck behind the mast and between the lowers, (on the cleats... ouch) and hug the mast/lowers (whilst desparately trying to stop the amount of rake you're carrying from centrering the boom), and holding it against the shroud (without putting any weight on the boom which colapses the leach) with one arm and holding your other at full stretch so you can still hold the extension.

Yep, a Contender in light wind really is a joy to sail.

4ks go best with the crew in the front and if you are heavy its the only way to get the transom out of the water.  Crew up front has the additional advantage of giving some weather helm which is a must in the light stuff.  Don't worry about not having all the waterline length, by the time you are going fast enough for that to be a factor the crew will be standing on the rack.  Watch out for power boat wake though.