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 B — If you strike the mainsail, the center of effort of the whole rig will move down.

Striking the mainsail removes the upper sail area, shifting the resultant center of effort of the remaining sail plan downward. This decreases the overall heeling moment and alters weather helm characteristics under standard sailing seamanship principles.