Balance
Hello,
You might also take a look at fore-and-aft trim; if you're even a bit down at the bows you'll pick up weather helm. Also, do you have a Cunningham? Do you let the traveler down in higher winds? Have you checked your outhaul tension? Do you have low-stretch halyards? Is the rig properly tuned? Do you have an adjustable backstay, and know how to use it? All of these are more powerful determinants of weather helm than mast rake.
There are boats with chronic weather helm issues, but I don't think the Passport is one of them. If it were, we'd likely be talking about moving the entire mast forward, or otherwise radically reproportioning the rig. Main and Genoa size, per se, should not be the issue, either; an "oversize" is simply one that moves better in light airs, and must be reefed sooner. Not the same thing at all as imbalance. Putting a permanent reef in either sail just results in a less-unbalanced, underpowered rig.
As for the boat being like a woman, it's a salty-sounding sentiment, but with no grounding in logic, and offensive to boot.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss
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