HI Mitch, I have all the gear but have not had the opportunity to test them out in conditions in which they were intended. I have been in 13-15 knots with the full main and jib which is a standard jib so 85% may be about right and the boat handled fine. I don't know the storm jib % but it is pretty small. I am sure in 20-25 knots with one reef and a storm jib you should be fine. Above that I think a second reef in the main would be good to have combined with the storm jib. If you are considering a storm jib I am sure if you contact Harry or Skip at Elliot Pattison and ask them about a storm sail or reefing points for a M-17 they can set you up with just what you need. Good luck! Jim Ellsworth M-17 #603 Grace -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Mitch Carnes Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 8:27 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: One reef or two reefs Jim & List: I currently sail Monterey Bay (Pretty much open ocean) and I have a Potter 15 working jib on board for a high wind sail. I see winds daily of 20 knts, and gusting a little higher. I have 2 reefs, and a 85% standard jib for Monty 17 # 656 Grace. I am currently pricing a 65% storm sail thru EP. I'm pretty new to the Monty, I'm wondering if a single reef & the storm sail will be comfortable in 25 knts. The boat balances amazingly well, so much so I'm uncertain what to expect. Some advice is more than welcome. What sail set might be recommended for 20-25? Thx --- On Thu, 5/6/10, Jim Ellsworth <j_ellsworth@earthlink.net> wrote: From: Jim Ellsworth <j_ellsworth@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: M_Boats: One reef or two reefs To: "'For and about Montgomery Sailboats'" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 2:39 AM Andrei, I just had EP add a second reef point on my 10 year old EP Main. Not sure it was smart to do it on a sail that old but it still has decent shape and I should get a couple more years out of it. Considering you are getting a new sail that with care will last 8-10 years or more, the extra $90 is not a big investment. I also had EP make me a storm jib which I have had up a couple of times but not in conditions that would warrant it. It is a very small sail and I think with the double reefed main and storm jib the boat could probably take a 30 knot plus blow, although I am not sure the skipper could! Good luck, Harry and Skip are great to deal with and they make good quality sails. Jim Ellsworth M-17 #603 Grace -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of sandyal55@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 9:44 AM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: M_Boats: One reef or two reefs The storm jib will always cost the same. Sending the main back for a 2nd reef will cost more than having it done while the sail is being made. -----Original Message----- From: Andrei Caldararu <andreic@math.wisc.edu> To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wed, May 5, 2010 9:35 am Subject: M_Boats: One reef or two reefs I am thinking about ordering a new main sail from EP for my M-17, and I was wondering if I should go with one set of reef points or two. The difference is about $90 (the total cost is about $700). I plan on sailing often on bigger water (Lake Superior, Lake Michigan), so I thought the ability to reef more would be useful. On the other hand the smallest foresail I have is a 100% jib, so maybe getting a smaller one should be my first priority... Opinions? Thanks, Andrei. _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet! _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet! _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet! _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet!