Goosewinged

A downwind sail arrangement with the mainsail and headsail set on opposite sides of the vessel.

The mainsail is eased to one side while the headsail is held out on the other, often with a whisker pole. This exposes both sails to the following wind and reduces the tendency of the mainsail to blanket the headsail.

The arrangement can be effective on a run but may be unstable if the wind shifts or the vessel rolls. A preventer, controlled pole handling and careful course keeping help manage accidental gybes and loaded gear.