In article ,
"Roger Long" wrote:

Our boat seems to go well with the 140 genoa just touching the
spreader tips and the foot along the lifelines. Is this too tight to
expect a smooth main? By the time the wind is strong enough that I
need to ease her in the puffs, the main is often completely depowered
and flogging, even with the traveler nearly amidships.

That sounds about right though our boat & sails prefer a couple of
inches off the spreader, so your sheet blocks might be a bit too
forward. What do your telltales say at the luff?

I've found that our masthead rig works best by concentrating on the
jib/genny. When in doubt, the main is primarily there to balance the
boat.

I flatten our main with outhaul, halyard and cunningham most of the time
and start reefing it at about 12-15 knots. Main first and only
reluctantly jib. Under the conditions you describe, I'd prefer to switch
to the working jib and inboard sheet tracks, but I have the same
difficulty in switching sails.

BTW, I often bring the traveler up past centerline, sometimes even the
boom, to allow the upper main to twist off on the puffs. (our boom is
very heavy) I have streamers on the batten ends and don't let more than
one or two break.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/