sailquik said..I'm with you on this one Hotlap. I dont think these explanations really explain the physics.

But many good experienced sailors do feel it makes a difference so something is going on.
I take picture from Jim Drake..
in steady state net force=0 ,net moment=0
if drive force increase from 32,5 to 50(for example sheet in), lets find where would board lift move..
moment aorund point A...Ma=0
-216.5x
X +16.5x13 +32,5x80=0
X=19.4 inches
we can see that board lift is moved toward nose (from 13 inches to 19.4 inches) that mean nose is press down when sheet in..
(I use board lift position as indicator what nose is doing,because board lift position depend on wetted surface,so if board lift position is moved towards nose,that mean nose is press down...)
Also we can see with this easy example if we increase center of effort height(less downahul),board lift will again move towards nose,that explain why less downhaul more press nose down .
But I still dont have idea what happend with forces,body position and sail angle when you move boom up/down..