Reefing Downwind

We’re broad reaching with two reefs already in the main and the breeze rapidly building. We’ve already seen gusts in the upper 20s and a few above 30 knots. A third reef is clearly needed, but luffing up to depower the mainsail will see the apparent wind spike from the low 20s to the mid 30s. What’s the best option?

At this point, a captain is likely to fall into one of two camps. Some will say rounding up is unavoidable—you need to reef and therefore have to bring the apparent wind forward of the beam. Others will tell you to keep sailing downwind, minimizing the apparent wind strength, and reef with the wind aft. Which is correct?

I’m firmly in the latter camp. For a start, avoiding wildly flogging canvas is kinder to the boat. Just as important, turning broadside onto the waves or bringing them forward of the beam will also be uncomfortable for the crew and is liable to fire-hose everyone with spray. This in turn can lead to cold, seasickness, tiredness and other related problems.

Never forget, the power of the wind increases with the square of windspeed. Therefore sailing at 6 knots on a dead run in 20 knots of true wind and then rounding up with the wind 60 degrees off the bow sees the force of the wind experienced by the boat increase by a factor of more than 2.5…

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