I think you misunderstood me. You don't reef a Hobie 16. You rake the mast back instead of a reef. The side shrouds are not adjusted, just the forestay. The whole rig is then looser falling off to leeward. You still sheet the main really, really hard; downhaul, really, really hard; and use the traveller in the puffs. The jib is travelled all the way out. It works unbelieveably well in making the boat quite controllable and is fast!

The forestay on my 28R has about a 1/4" or less adjustment left to rake back, which isn't worth bothering with in my opinion. I would need to change the forestay or add a section. Last year, I checked my mast rake against Dealers Choice and I was in the ball park with his. Todd had said initially he had the mast raked farther back but now he keeps the rig more forward.

I think that what I am learning is that the downwind in heavy air is the concern. Sea conditions are a huge factor in determining how easy it might be to stuff the bows and with a full main, that may be all it takes to push you over.

I raced the Canadian Nationals in Nova Scotia several years ago on my Hobie 17 in over 50. It was the last race of the event and I was fighting for 2nd place so I was pushing very hard. I sailed the downwind with my traveller centered and the main sheeted hard. I sailed the upwind with the traveller all the way out and the main sheeted hard. The difficult part was the transition between upwind and downwind. I managed to gain well over a leg lead on the fleet, including Paul (who had already won and was sailing his throw out), with this technique. The kiss of death is relaxing and allowing any slack in the main. This technique may also work on a Corsair, but there is absolutely no safety margin with it.

Also Cliff, sorry about asking questions that led you to assume I didn't know what I was doing. I don't know the idiosyncrasies of the 28R or where the edge is. And I can't help but wonder if there aren't better techniqes than the ones I currently use. So I ask, and I truly appreciate the feedback that I get. Besides... how else can I live up to the graphics on the side of my boat. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />