Depends on the boat. For Solings, in heavy weather, they sail better under
headsail. Some people do this going downwind, to avoid accidentally jybing
the main if they don't feel like rigging a preventer, or dealing with
keeping a close eye on the main. It's not advisable unless you have a
fractional rig. Witha masthead rig you might put too much stress on the
mast/rigging without the mainsail to balance the load.

Inten Ost.

"katysails" wrote in message
...
What's more is that I think you know this.

Nope, I don't know that at all. I have sailed now for a quarter of a
century and we have never sailed that way and never will
because it is worng. It is the tall mast/150% genny mentality found in
Catalina owners, most often afriad their boat is going
to heel...that has been my experience...Wind comes up, main comes
down...ooh ooh...the boat might tip. It's what Neal would
sanctimoniously claim to be "lybber" sailing or "woman sailing" even
though it's the guys who set the sails that way. We have a
light displacement boat...if we sailed on the head alone the boat would
not only waffle around but would also bury itself in the
waves...You need more experience, Bobby, and need to get out of the
weekend warrior mindset.

--
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein