On 24 Oct 2006 03:54:37 -0700, "Capt. Rob" wrote:



I have never even seen anyone sail under main alone..




That's hard to believe. Quite a few fractional rigs sail very well with
just the main.

I live a shetered life..
It is common to see people motoring when they could sail. It is also
very common to see people sailing under headsail alone when cruising
on a reach in a fresh breeze. If I saw someone using main alone I
would suspect they had some problem or were useless sailors. Who knows
wht they might do in England..

I think there are several advantages to reefing the main and using a
small headsail.

You can carry a greater sail area since the CE is lower.

The tendency to weather helm and luffing up is less since the the
forward component of sail "lift" and centre of drag are closer in
plan view, since the CE is closer to the boat both vertically and
*laterally*.

The CE is moved forward by the moment of the jib.

Both the above mean that you can sail more heeled and with more
driving force and remain reasonably balanced.

Tacking without getting stuck in irons by backing the jib. (mine tends
to stall the keel and stop in strong winds)

The risk of broaching is reduced.