: Thanks for the information. That's a very interesting rig in that
: it allows the boat to 'stand up' to the sail as well as reducing
: leeway. The Coot is a pram & has lots of form stability
: (Nick says it's a 'fat boat') so the ama would not be necessary.
: Harry

I guess technically it's not an ama since it has virtually no buoyancy but that's a quibble . . .

As far as worrying about the DB slot position is concerned, there is no reason why you can't make the rig and DB, hang the DB temporarily over the side as a leeboard and sail her until you get the fore-aft position right, then install the trunk.

Personally I think folk worry far too much about symmetry in boats, I'd worry more about structural strength if the boat is not designed to sail. If 'twer me I'd cut the slot one side of the keel and put the trunk a bit off center. On a flat bottomed boat -which this obviously isn't - I think it makes sense to tuck the trunk against a side bench to get more center aisle space.