On the strenght end: I'm no weakling, and when it really blowing, and I've been out a long time I struggle with sheating. I have a 6:1 harken system w/ 3/8 sheat. Most of this is probably because I tend to go out in heavy winds, and it all on lakes, or the Mississippi. Lot's of puffs and I never cleat the main. Just food for thought if you concerned with the strenght issue.