Here at Upffront, we talk a lot about asymmetric sails and code zeros, and with good reason! Faster and more manageable, these are a popular choice among many sailors, with one caveat, they require a tack point for the drum forward of the forestay, which preferably means a bowsprit.
While most modern, performance sail boats have permanent bowsprits attached, many older boats require modification to install a bowsprit and get those precious few extra feet on the bow.