Annie, maybe some of my experience with my Johanna can be used on Fanshi:
First time I hoisted sail on Johanna (2003), I noticed a considerable lee helm when sailing close-hauled in light winds. It was not a control problem, but being used to boats with a little weather helm, I thought this was annoying. The first reaction was the natural one; to shorten the tack parrel and to haul the top as far aft as I could with the LHP, (..later modified to a THP which only acted on the yard and batten 2, I think it was...). Problem was, I had cut the mast a little too short, so there was little drift for the halyard to let one shift the yard enough aft. The fully hoisted sail was therefore canted a bit forward, as on the ‘original’ HM-style sails. However, this remedy reduced the lee helm enough to make it tolerable.
As soon as a reef had been taken, there was room enough to shift the top 30-50cm further aft, and this was enough to achieve the wanted, light weather helm. See photo of Johanna, below, with one reef. Note how the halyard’s slingpoint has moved well aft. A THP on Fanshi, acting only on the yard and batten #1, will let you tug the yard as far aft as the halyard drift allows. With the first reef taken, your sail can be hauled much further aft, just as on Johanna. Hopefully that lets you do away with most of the lee helm.
Questions:
- · Does the helm balance change with the boards up versus down?
- · Do my eyes spot hinged battens there?
Cheers,
Arne

Photo: Peter Manning, 2008
PS: No, I am not aware of that you don't have a technical mind. I only am aware of that you say so...