In my windsurfing days you had to arrive at the beach with three sails minimum. One huge for light air, one medium for medium, and a (you guessed it) small for heavy air. If the wind changed you came in and changed the sail. Time was wasted deciding what sail to wear. Hours spent discussing it.

There doesn't seem to be this dilemma with cats. Am I correct?

Does anyone use windsurfer type of booms?

How do you judge if the sail is too blown out and should be replaced?

I like the idea of one sail, however the idea of putting on a skimpy one in honkin winds sounds great. I suspect that reefing down the sail might be a help but it looks tacky! (oops maybe the wrong word!)

Too windy to sail today!

To reef or not to reef that is the question. Nah mate to be honest i bought a new set of sails for my 1986 hobie 16 and well the new sails dont have reefing points for a reason. You dont need them. Recently we had a gale (around 40knots) A mate and i saw the winds and went we're going out. We went out main and jib and we were flying. Just imagine Twin traping on a reach with jib and main travelor off and in over 3 hours we only went over once. It does matter the size of the sail but not as much as the way you rig the boat. On the hobie 20's you dont have to let the main go to depower the boat you can pull the down haul on tight and the power just dies. Talk to the other sailors around you and ask how to depower your boat and all will be good.

Have fun and just get out there.