a vile troll replied:
Mooron asked:
So you concur with Bob's technique of sailing with only the Genoa
and
leaving the main secure and wrapped in it's cover?

This is just such a common sailing technique, used by every sailor (J-boats
need not apply) at one time or another. Why would Mooron question it?

I agree with the concept of being prepared for unplanned
eventualities; at least take the cover off and be ready to use it, if
needed. I also understand the intent behind comments about "balancing
the rig" but consider this from someone commenting on Hoyt's "delta"
setup...

"I once had a copy of a test on a Morgan 41' Out Island ketch where,
upon removing the mainsail, the boat lost only 1/2 knot of speed, but
cut its leeway in half (from 11 to 6 degrees). A staysail was then
rigged between the masts in place of the mainsail, and the boat gained
1 knot of speed while retaining its decreased leeway."

Obviously, "balancing the rig" implies that the rig is well designed
and performs best when main and jib are "balanced." This example
demonstrates that this particular boat (and I personally suspect many
others) does not "balance" as well in reality as one might suppose. In
point of fact, by eliminating the main the boat lost 1/2 knot but
halved its leeway. That sounds like a reasonable tradeoff to me. Then,
replacing the main with a staysail (essentially another jib, making it
somewhat simulate the "delta" rig) they kept the reduction in leeway
and gained a full knot.

Harrumph! Reduced leeway plus added speed. Hard to argue with that.

Frank