We are currently sailing downwind with two headsails both poled out with separate poles. We have the mainsail up with three reefs in and cranked down tight centrally. The wind and sea are from behind. The sails are pulling us forward and reefing is very easy. Just ease the sheets, pull in a few turns of the drum rope and the sails open & close up like curtains. The purpose of the mainsail is to counter against rolling and stopping as broaching as we run down these big seas.
Since running with this configuration, we have found other benefits. We have long had a metallic clunking from the boom when the mainsail slatted. We spoke to riggers, suggested perhaps it was something to do with the reefing mechanism. They said no, but it was always a mystery. A couple of mornings ago out popped a 2m length of 1" stainless steel tube. Ann wouldn't let me throw it away, so its now strapped on deck. Yesterday out popped my long lost fibreglass rod that I used to get the reefing pennants in when they got pulled out one winter by mistake. Today we got another little present. Out popped an 8 foot length of 1" square solid teak trim. We are still pulling out remnants of a massive birds nest from last winter in the Azores.
Don't know what to expect next.
Jim Ann & Emily on Summerwinds of Cuan