Ben, the balance may have something to do with the boat design too.  Before I converted my boat, Arion, from bermudian sloop to single-masted junk, I used to sail with the main out one side and the jib poled out the other when dead downwind and always managed to self steer.  When I converted to junk sloop I put the CE in exactly the same place it was on the bermudian sail plan and find I still have excellent balance.  I can even drive the boat very hard downwind and stilll self steer, but common sense says to reef early and take the strain off things, since the rig is so efficient off the wind.  Then everything becomes very docile and I can go back to reading my book, or whatever.  You can see pictures of Arion hammering downwind if you look at my member photo albums.

Ben wrote:This may sound crazy....is there any reason the mast couldnt be mounted in a sliding track at both the step and the partners? Some design that held the mast securely but could vary the position of the mast in relation to the CLR? Maybe something similar to an adjustable main sheet traveler but on a different scale? Clearly this design would be intended for long passages. Has it been done before? Pros and cons? Maybe it could be possible to adjust one attachment point i.e. partners or step and change the angle of the mast? I dont know what range of movement would be required to have an effect on balance. Just thoughts.....

Yup - it sounds crazy :-) I don't know how it could be engineered to be strong enough. And how would you seal the hole through the deck?

This may sound crazy....is there any reason the mast couldnt be mounted in a sliding track at both the step and the partners? Some design that held the mast securely but could vary the position of the mast in relation to the CLR? Maybe something similar to an adjustable main sheet traveler but on a different scale? Clearly this design would be intended for long passages. Has it been done before? Pros and cons? Maybe it could be possible to adjust one attachment point i.e. partners or step and change the angle of the mast? I dont know what range of movement would be required to have an effect on balance. Just thoughts.....