Michael,
I always sail with the tiller in one hand and the main sheet in the other.  
If I want to keep the boat fairly level I simply let some of the main sheet out 
 and then recover after the gust has passed. Water 6 inches from the gunnel 
is  nothing to sweat about. Water coming over the gunnel simply means you are 
having  a great deal of fun. Having your crew on the high side also help-s to 
balance  the boat under those conditions.
One other idea, make sure that the rudder is in the fully down  
position......meaning it is tucked up and under the hull. Unless it is in the  forward 
position, you will be fighting heavy helm.
 
Rummy
 
 
In a message dated 9/8/2008 10:30:11 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
mticse at gmail.com writes:


We  experienced approx 4-5 gusts of wind in our 3 hour sail yesterday. I  was
just imagining if our wives we're onboard how frantic they would have  been.

In those instances, the weather helm gave way to a heavy tiller  with the
tiller positioned at 45 degree to windward to remain on-course. I  was
considering letting the main sheet out but the gusts all happen in  about
10-20 seconds and then disappears.

How do you guys handle  gusts of wind? 

Especially when the gusts causes heavy heeling (gunnel  6" from water)

Michael
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