The problem of going in reverse with the Ariel is what I was addressing. Look at the Yamaha prop. I was in high winds today with problems both leaving and returning to the slip. The reverse really pushed the boat backwards - I think faster than if gets the boat going in forward. Coming in, I probably stopped from a 2 mph speed (or so it seemed) to zero in about two feet. I never use people power to stop the forward way.

You may have been addressing another problem with the Ariel regarding backing. The bow catches the wind and is blown around, while the stern stays on course. For example, with a wind hitting the bow, backing up is fine, but the bow will be blown down wind and the boat swung ninety degrees. The same phenomenomenonormonomon (Sp?) would happen even without a motor pulling the boat backwards, in my opinion.