Andrew - make sure to have a stopper knot on your traveler line so you're not relying on the plastic stops on the beam...the stopper knot will hit the cleat fairlead and stop the traveler. The stoppers don't really take much of a joke.

The best way to learn this is to go out in conditions that are a little windier than you are comfortable with and practice the maneuver until it IS comfortable. You want to "stretch" your comfort envelope a little at a time so that each step is manageable. You can climb a tall, steep mountain with many small steps, grasshopper.

This is a good technique for anyone - determine your weaknesses and work on them in the conditions where they start to show up. Get Rick White's book and read it also. Yes, it has been a while since it was written but most of the info about technique stays the same.

Last note: This is another reason why racing is so valuable to learning quickly - it encourages you to go out in conditions that you might otherwise not sail in and accumulates lots of experience and advice in a friendly gathering for your quick ascent up that mountain of a learning curve!

When I was finally able to let the mainsheet out, water was coming over the tramp haha.

Don't cleat the main unless your spi is up or you are gybing.
I center the traveller during gybes only with spi. If you keep your speed, you can push the main just by grabbing in the sheet between the blocks. YOur sail and battens will say thank you.

Cheers,

Klaus

This is another reason why racing is so valuable to learning quickly - it encourages you to go out in conditions that you might otherwise not sail in and accumulates lots of experience and advice in a friendly gathering for your quick ascent up that mountain of a learning curve!

Much safer to put a stopper knot in the traveller rope.

vs. using a knot in conjunction with the main?

or using the carpet method mentioned?