[Stryker72]

Originally Posted by 6string

On the boat that I sail, we can not reef. It is a 20' cat rigged racing boat. ( 216 sq ' of main sail on a 650 lb hull ) While sailing to weather, the main sheet is used to control the leach tension and the traveler controls the in and out of the main, keeping the boat from healing. We want to keep the boat at 15 degree heal. As winds pick up we add vang to hold the boom down and by releasing some mainsheet the leach loosen and we allow the top of the main to spill some air, keeping us from healing. As soon as the puff blows through we trim the main back in. The tight vang keeps the luff of the sail working while the leach and head spill air. Very effective in keeping the boat moving. The traveler is worked aggressively, in and out, in puffy conditions especially in the 8 - 15 mph range. Over 15 we pretty much leave the traveler out and work the main sheet with the vang and cunningham on hard.

Jeff

This is a great explanation!