And for cruisers, like me, there is no shame in reefing! I have a main with a single reef point, which has come in handy.

Hi Gay,

In heavy wind you want to depower the sail by making it flatter and moving the belly aft. Drop the traveler to leeward so that more of the trimming force is downward rather than inboard. Tighten the outhaul. Tighten the luff with the halyard or Cunningham. If you can, tighten the backstay to bend the mast putting more forward curve in the luff, which flattens the sail even more. I'm sure the racers on the forum can tell you the best sequence to make each of these adjustments.

Joe

I tend to be a pretty cautious sailor, not wanting to find out exactly how far over the boat can heel go being fully knocked down. I read somewhere, when sailing close-hauled in a heavy breeze, put the traveler all the way to windward to help spill wind and therefore reduce heeling. Also brings the boom closer to center which is more efficient for pointing.

Somewhere else I read the opposite-- to reduce heel, move the traveler all the way to leeward.... Probably, this is not the same as being efficient for pointing but will reduce heel which, if not racing, is my primary objective.

Discussion? Experience?