Pointing ability in poor weather?

[stevensuf]

dockhead, i had eased out the main to let it spill a little to reduce weather helm and eventually did reef in the jib a little, i think it must be something to do with the apparent wind speed in relation to the real wind speed changing the apparent wind pointing angle.

Another questions was, drop the spray hood to reduce windage and increase performance vs having a really miserable crew?

[wolfenzee]

When waaaay over canvased in 15 knots of wind and an extra 10 degree heel with the center of effort further aft than if I was sailing a cutter configuration (was running a experiment to see how boat would behave if heavily over canvased). I lost 10-15 degrees off the wind (45 degrees vs. 30-35 under cutter config).

[HappySeagull]

no, per apparent wind, slowing down will give you an apparent wind that "lifts" (the wind will seem slightly more abeam ) but boat motion in the chop you describe could make this unnoticeable and anyways useless. Apart from sail efficiencies described(newer,better,faster, flatter and a proper foresail) and these might onlyget you a 5 degree improvement on your hull and what-all...
... or start the motor and pound your guts out.