Frank,
There is one thread from the forum archives that addresses this issue, albeit nothing is really mentioned about the appropriate size...
Sailrite has a PDF publication by Jim Grant entitled "
Using an Anchor Riding Sail Instructions". This article does address the issue of size, but basically indicates that "
size really doesn't matter". (No doubt we all want to believe that, too.)
Per Jim: "A properly rigged traditional anchor riding sail can eliminate swinging without the disadvantages of the “wedge” described above. We find the size of the sail is actually not critical, but the way it is rigged matters a good deal. It should be hoisted on the backstay. Then sheet the sail forward to the side of the boat so that it is actually sailing the boat to one side of the anchor rode. The boat will only swing so far out as to reach equilibrium with the windage on the topsides. There it will stop and hold its position except for minor moves in response to changes in wind velocity (and tide in some cases). Notice that sheeting to the side clears the sail from the cockpit. And, if the backstay is split, it is perfectly OK to hoist it on the “windward” leg of the backstay."
Jack
