Need advice – main or jib?

[dxg68]

I have 1 reef point on my main and 100% hank-on jib. If the wind is too strong for reefed main + jib will I have better control with just jib or just reefed main? Thanks!

[Russ]

This is just me, but if the wind is too strong for reefed main and jib, I don't want to be out there.

[Trouts Dream]

Agreed
Thats when I use the Iron Genny.

Best to be able to have both sails raised to maintain control.

[Currie]

Agree here too.

Jib-only is likely to be good for down-wind sailing only. Main-only will have a lot of weather helm. If the boat can't be balanced (reduced main and jib) in heavy winds, time for me to go home.

~Bob

[captain frank II]

I used to have an . I have found that it sailed easily in higher winds with just the genoa. In fact it seemed to
tack easier than just the main alone. Quite comforting knowing I could furl in some more if need be without leaving the cockpit......compared to reefing a main.


But on the other hand for most fractional rigs.....
As the winds pipe up......
1st tighten the outhaul, and main halyard to flatten the mainsail.and then tighten the vang and let the boom go leeward (via traveler if available) or induce twist (of upper main) by letting the mainsheets out a bit. Then also induce twist of the upper headsail by moving the genoa/jib car/lead aft. (if you twist the mainsail you should also twist the headsail to match for best speed). A little twist is good in choppy water. If inadequate......

Then for most fractional rigs 1st reef the main....if inadequate then

reduce the headsail.......go from genoa to jib. (or furl some in).

Next.....second reef if you have it, 3rd reef.

Then storm sails or bare poles and motor.

[Chinook]

Our boat is an X, so I don't know about the M. I am told by a knowledgeable source that the X sails well on the jib only, but not well with just the main. That has been my experience. My source also says that the opposite is the case with the M. When it gets rough and we're primarily motoring, we've been helped with a reefed main which, along with the lowered fins, helps stabilize the ride.

[davidbagnall]

I have been caught out in some big winds (steady 30 gusting to just over 35 knots) before and have found the jib worked quite well. I was mostly reaching and found the boat handled quite well and I would assume that an M would be similar.
Most importantly sail within your skill/confidence levels. Its better to drop canvas and fire up the iron sail early while you are in control. Dropping a hank on jib in that sort of wind can be a real handful esp if you are single handling .

[Rick Westlake]

Our boat is an X, so I don't know about the M. I am told by a knowledgeable source that the X sails well on the jib only, but not well with just the main. That has been my experience. My source also says that the opposite is the case with the M. When it gets rough and we're primarily motoring, we've been helped with a reefed main which, along with the lowered fins, helps stabilize the ride.

Oddly enough, my experience this weekend was somewhat the opposite ... I felt overpowered with genoa AND main, but more comfortable under main alone. (The winds were pretty brisk, but maybe not all THAT heavy).

I will say this - if I'm too close to the wind under main alone, forget it! I could only get out of irons by pulling out a little jib.

Davidbagnall has the best advice of all - sail within your own skill/confidence level. I want to stretch my limits little by little; no sense getting hurt or wet or breaking something if I can avoid it! (I developed that yellow stripe in decades of flying light planes, so I figure I came by it honestly.)

[dxg68]

Thank you ALL very much for the replies!!!

[c130king]

I'll ditto what Rick said. In stiff winds (not sure of the wind speed) I have sailed reefed main only...worked good...respectable sailing speed. No big weather helm issues until the winds got really big...then the main comes down and I motor home.

Have Fun,
Jim