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JSL,
Went out solo this afternoon. I was planning to head out to Sandy Hook Bay and run my jackines etc, but when I got to the boat it was kicking 16 in the gusts so I stayed in more familiar waters. But to keep my interest I decided to see if I could reef down singlehanded. My wife and I were out in the bay 2 weeks ago and when it kicked up to 18-20 . I wasn't sure enough of myself to try heaving-to so we had our hands full for a while, even though we reefed the Jib and pulled it in all the way in for a while.
Anyway, I Hove-to and went up and (jiffy)reefed the main without any problems. I was amazed at how nicely Hannah Lee stayed hove-to until I was ready for her to head off again. And she handled so much better with the jib all the way out but the Main reefed. Pointing was much improved over no jib full main.
So now there are two more techniques that I can use when I need to.
My boat is a 1978 C&C 29. They are notorously tender, hence my need to learn to reef her down ,but she does ok.
BP
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