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[quote=yurdle][quote]i have tried to de-power a 6.0 by choking off the jib slot, if it had any effect, i couldn't tell.. my "sail theory" tells me it couldn't have been good, or helped. What i would think it did was back wind the main and actually make it less stable (gusts have more sudden heeling)[/quote]
I agree that it makes it less stable due to extra heeling, which is why I posted.  However, the alternative, a fully powered main, is no less daunting.  I should also specify here that my main is a sqauretop cut for prebend, on an old style nacra mast, which makes the pocket HUGE.

[quote]I think Andre makes a good point that at certain speed.. you are more stable than at less speed with more heeling action. i feel that in my boat (to a degree).[/quote]
Again, I totally agree.  Slowing down is how I snapped my boom earlier this year.  These boats are meant to be sailed.. However, we didn't lack for speed at all.  Actually, when we finally did go over it was because we pitched it going slightly to weather.  The sails were constantly outrunning the hulls.

[quote]Also interesting that EC sheets to his main first, and then sets his jib. i do the opposite, i set my jib (even if my telltales are 100%.. i get it snug first) so its doing its job, then set my main. If i attend to the main first, i a may fall into irons (of course i somehow have to maintain my tiller control)[/quote]
Yea that's not an option in high wind.  Even in moderate winds, I have a pretty standard sequence, with crew or without -- sheet jib to 85% (actually with a little barberhauler first, even upwind), set main, set jib.  In high winds, though, nothing's more important than getting the jib and weight distribution right when coming about, and getting it done fast.

[quote]BUT in high winds, if i am overpowered (regardless of 1 or 2 up) i would furl if i could. If not, i would make all my sails flat as possible. [/quote]
Unfortunately not an option for me (however I WAS looking at the furler you were selling until this happened..).  So, yep, sails sheeted as far as possible, main traveled..just not sure if I want the jib all the way out so that it's almost luffed, or all the way in to kill the slot.

[quote]BUT (again) This is for my sail/mast/prebend. you may not be able to get a 20 year old pin top on a fixed mast (non adjustable spreaders) to play right (flatten out to depower) and then all this "theory" is not right.[/quote]
Yea, like I said up top, it's not the original sail.  The pintop is much easier to control, even though its a bit blown out, but I didn't have it that day.  The difference in helm and sheeting force is remarkable.
I have trouble describing how the mast and sail don't work together...its much easier to see.  But if you can imagine grabbing a batten, representing the mast, at the height that the stays would attach, and pushing it against the ground from that spot you'd have an arch, like a pre-bent mast.  Then push the center of the batten inward to straighten the lower part of the batten, so it looks more like a hockey stick...if you imagine a sail in there you can see how it just fattens up its belly.

I can fly a hull in very low winds for a 5.2, but can't depower to save my life. (hence my WTB new mast ad)

Thanks[/quote]

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