Bowsprit vs. longer hull

That's some good advice from Seasquirt.

Another option would be an adjustable bow sprit.

I sail with a friend who has one on his racing catamaran.
It's brilliant.
( It's on a Malcolm Tenant "Streaker 23",
not a common design by any means,
but fast.)

 

NO one appears to have offered the obvious drawback of a longer hull. Longer narrow hulls are harder to turn/tack. (and cost more!) That would be the trade off against the inconvenience of a bowsprit. In a light weight boat that means you can get caught in irons or have to back wind the jib which soon becomes a pain if you have to do it every time!

 

The knockabout schooners vs the bowsprit schooners, a hundred years later. Arethusa, as beautiful as a dream, the ultimate knockabout...