Hi Paul,
Perhaps I missed this somewhere in the previous messages, but when the wind gets uncomfortable while sailing, you can lower the pop-top and then lower the boom to a lower position.  There should be a hole in the mast where the spring pin by the gooseneck fits into.  This will reduce heeling, but... puts the boom at a position where you can easily hit your head.  Both my '81 and '03 Rhodes had this feature.  This feature lowers the center of force from your mainsail and as a result, reduce heeling.
Don Simons,Old Forge, NY
    On Friday, August 8, 2025 at 08:58:29 AM EDT, Paul Rhodes <plrhodes29 at gmail.com> wrote:

 Thanks Roger, Ric, Larry, Todd, Chris et al for your welcoming words and informative discussion on shortening sail and keeping Commodores happy!  I’ll enjoy putting your thoughts into practice.

Larry, Stan also thought that with our name, it was meant to be, and I won’t argue.  I’ve been trying to find a familial connection with Phil ever since I heard about him as a kid.

Paul

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