[quote=shortyfox]I think it's a tie between righting the boat and depowering the boat quickly to prevent capsize in the first place. Sail close hauled with the traveler out six inches with both sails sheeted down tight. Notice you only have to head up a few degrees and the boat will depower greatly but will still be moving forward. This should be reflex. What else should be reflex is a spilt second reaction to letting the mainsheet out. Your sheeting angle is critical for easy control. Sometimes the angle of the cam-cleat below your mainsheet block cannot be adjusted perfectly without minor changes to the height of the block. You may want to use a longer d shackle or two shackles. With a good quality cam cleat you should be able to easily cleat and un-cleat from almost anywhere on the boat. You shouldn't have to un-cleat by flicking the line real hard. This is sometimes a problem with old stainless cam cleats. Until you get used to your boat you'll probably feel safer leaving it un-cleated in heavier airs and relying on the ratchet. But even with an 8 to 1 this can get tiring over time. Because I have arthritis in both hands I have learned to trust my equipment and I never sail with the main un-cleated anymore.[/quote]
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