To reef I heave too. Back the jib and fix the tiller the opposite way. The boat will sit with the wind about thirty degrees off the bow – jib side. I cruise mine on the south coast and have used this method in very fruity conditions out on a lumpy Solent.

Re the furling jib you should always reef the main first. When that’s too much you can then lose the jib, personally I drop it. When just the main is too much ease the kicker, the top half of the sail will feather and you get plenty of low down drive to power though the waves.

I used these methods two days last week in conditions pushing F6, open water, solo, no safety and only dinghy out. The Gull was loaded with camping gear on the second day oh and dates from 1967. I felt as safe as houses having a great time, what a boat.