On Tue, 6 Apr 2004 08:23:16 -0700, "Steve" wrote:

My staysail has a single row of reef points. I'm considering some additional
re-enforcements and use this as my 'poormans' storm staysail. It would be
about the right size.

I figure if you are down to a storm staysail, it's getting pretty
wild. I believe that was the sail of choice in the Sydney Hobart
"weather bomb" race a few years ago. Me, I have a storm jib that's the
Dacron equivalent of elephant hide. Haven't had to fly it yet, but I
suspect it would make a fine riding sail at anchor pulled snug off the
backstay.

I also use a downhaul on my staysail but it is called a Modified Gerr
Downhaul. In addition to hauling down the luff, it also gathers the clew up
to the gathered luff. Not exactly elegant but the sail is secured on deck,
can't flog or fall overboard and I never have to leave the cockpit to do it
since the downhaul and the halyard are lead to the cock pit.

I will look that one up. Sometimes you want to get a big foresail down
in a hurry (like when it's shredding, as in what happened to me
rounding a headland and the wind jumped from seven to 22 knots,
munching my light No. 1). Windage and mess isn't as important as
getting most of it below the pulpit, and this idea, if I'm visualizing
it properly, will do that job quick 'n' dirty.

R.