I was in a similar situation once, with gusts at 20 or 25 kts, with my
lateen rig. Without reefing ability, and out of absolute necessity, I
had to resort to the old "fisherman's reef." With the upper yard
bending a little, I was able to luff the upper part of the sail, while
the lower half, all along the foot, was still full and drawing, keeping
the boat moving at the same speed, upwind, but heeling a lot less. It
took a lot of precise helm control and concentration to maintain the
right balance, but in those conditions, I was perfectly willing to put
out the effort. Later, when I turned downwind, Popeye took off like a
bat out of hell, bow up, maybe even on a plane, but I don't know for
sure. Like I said, the fisherman's reef worked fine, but took a lot of
concentration and may be something you don't want to depend on for a
whole day of sailing. In San Diego, those windy conditions usually only
last a couple of hours in the middle of the afternoon.
:)
Steve Barnes sailing a Capri 16, #74,
and saleing a Potter 14, #561, in San Diego.
"Everything is everything!"
OLDSURFDUDE