Followup Question:
Does the same or similar physics apply to a gaff-rigged boat? I don''t have a traveler, and no easily adjustable outhaul (laced on sail), I have running backstays (two) and a wooden mast. I do have a downhaul.
When the wind picks up, the first sail I tend to drop is the yankee
jib. It''s the sail that requires the most work, as the boomed staysail is self-tacking, but from what you''re saying, reducing foresails should increase weather helm. And in this configuration, I do seem to have lots of weather-helm. When I put a single or double reef in the main, it''s much more manageable. So, is this correct? Should I reduce the main before dropping any of the foresails if I want to minimize weather helm in a gaff-rigged boat?
Thanks!
Mike