Here is the boat upon arrival in Thailand. Note the original 17ft of the broken mast with a light pole on top. I sailed this configuration from the Marshall Islands. Basically anything you put up blocking the wind will help a boat sail downwind. Despite the original design being a full baton Bermuda rig, I received reports that this boat and rig had troubles going upwind. Therefore, design objectives in order became.
1. A safe rig that wouldn't demast after loss of fore-stay.
2. A rig that could sail up wind better than a Bermuda.