[EscapeArtist]

Exactly the source of my confusion.

I''ve often heard/read to flatten the sails in heavy air. That means traveller down, leech tight, backstay tight (if you have one--I don''t).

I''ve also heard/read to spill air by twisting the main. To me, that means a looser leech, traveller high and sheet eased.

I''m getting it sorted out now. In my original scenario I''m reefed, so Bob''s advice is correct. But spilling air out of the upper leech is available as a depowering tactic short of reefing.

Thanks to you both. By the way, "Escape Artist" is a Hunter 336.

Paul