Reef when the boat heels more than about 20 degrees, you have to pull the tiller hard to windward and she keeps turning up into the wind in the gusts. If you are wondering whether to reef, it is time to reef.
Reefing makes the sails smaller, so the boat carries less power for the wind there is. A boat with too much sail up is not faster: she heels over, spills wind from her sails, and the keel and rudder lose their grip on the water. Reefing brings her upright, makes her easier to steer and usually makes her faster.
The signs of being overpowered are easy to read:
- She heels more than about 20 degrees much of the time.
- You have to pull the tiller hard to windward to keep her straight (heavy weather helm).
- In every gust she turns up into the wind on her own, however hard you pull the tiller.
- You are easing the mainsheet or dropping the traveller in every gust just to stay in control.
Easing the sheet is fine for the odd gust. When it becomes constant, the sail is too big.
The best time to reef is early. If strong winds are forecast, put the reef in before you leave the marina, while the boat is still and the work is easy. Reefing when you are already overpowered is hard, wet work, and it is when things get broken and people get hurt. The same applies at sea: reef at the first sign, not when it has become a struggle.
Keep the sail plan balanced. If the boat is still overpowered with a reef in the mainsail, roll away some of the jib too, so you have a smaller mainsail and a smaller jib together.
A reef is easy to shake out if the wind drops. The common mistake is to wait, hoping a gust will pass, until the decision has been made for you.
More in the book: Chapter 10, When the wind gets up