[MHml] mast rake

[Larry Forgy]

I'm replacing the rig on my Macgregor 36, as I have the opportunity to 
change from my fixed mast to a rotating one, and found a used but 
reasonably good fully battened main to replace the piece of junk I have now.

The old mast was vertical with no mast rake, but there is a suggestion 
to include some (4 to 8 degrees) of rake with the new mast, which is 
what it had on the boat where it was previously used.

What exactly is the point of mast rake anyway?  If it is just to balance 
the boat, rake is going to make my boat more unbalanced.  Is there some 
aerodynamic reason for rake?  I'm inclined (no pun intended) to just 
make the stick vertical unless there is a compelling reason not to.

Larry Forgy