A ketch-rigged sailing vessel is sailing to windward with the wind about 50° on the port bow. All the sails are set and drawing properly. Which statement is TRUE?

Correct Answer: Option C — If you strike the mainsail, the center of effort of the whole rig will move down.

Striking the uppermost driving sail (the mainsail) removes a massive upper aerodynamic component, physically shifting the combined center of effort of the entire multi-sail rig downward toward the water plane.