We have flatter water and slack tides in the sea lochs around us so get the opportunity to sail in stronger winds on a regular basis without being exposed to open ocean. As such, I have had the opportunity to be out in a F7 gusting 8 on a regular basis. Having experience what Scott did with my rail down under two reefs I had a third set of reefing points put into my main sail.
I only have two permanant reefing lines run in but they are on an adjustable track on the side of the boom. As such, I can shuffle them easily before I go out so I reef either 1&2 or 2&3. Not perfect but our forecasts are good so its works for me.
I use a no 2 120% overlapping genoa as my normal foresail but also carry a heavy duty working jib / no 3. It came with the boat and originally was hank on. I have a roller so have had a luff wire added so I can pull off the genoa and replace it with the jib.
If we go out in stiff winds the combination of heavy duty jib and third reef is just perfect. The sails set flatter and work much more efficiently in those conditions.
Tom Mair is cruising on his Nab35, El Viento, and I have followed his email letters regularly. He has the ability to set a removable inner forestay just behind his roller and runs his heavy duty jib up that. He also has a cruising chute which he swears by for light winds in the Med. Its still on my wish list as we have a spinnaker which get out occasionally.
Would be interested to hear what combinations you all have and how it works for you in differing wind strengths.
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