Hi Don,

While it’s true that lowering the mainsail from the upper position to the lower position lowers the center of pressure and reduces the heeling, the effect is pretty small.  The effect is equivalent to about 1/3 of the 1st reef.  The other thing that putting the reef in the mainsail does is flatten the sail shape.  The flatter sail shape is more appropriate for the higher wind speed and reduces the heeling all by itself.  Between the reduced sail area and the better high wind sail shape, the reefed sail is a better bet for keeping the Commodore happy.  The reefed mainsail also moves the center of pressure forward, reducing weather helm and the chances of a broach.   If you want to make your Commodore unhappy, try letting the boat broach with her onboard!

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
1976. Sanford, MI
Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 10, 2025, at 6:29 PM, Donald Simons via Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
> 
>  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
> 
> Sent from my iPhone