Another way of detuning the boat is to add weight rather than reducing sail area( but you will increase the rigging loads) If you use water balast then you can dump the water in the light stuff. I've just finished a cruise around the Whitsundays on my Taipan, write up is at link below

http://catsailor.net/forums/showthread.php?4190-Taipan-4.9-Whitsunday-Islands-Cruise