Hi Danelle, sounds like your sail with your mom and her man was an interesting one for you - from the slightest zephyr to gusts that catch you with a surprise. We have those conditions on our BC mountain lakes as well. Given that, I am happy to have the capability to reduce sail in a hurry and have been thankful when short handed (alone) to have both sail slugs on the main and lazyjacks to help control it when it gets dropped for reefing and bare poling. My halyard shackles are also the stamped steel locking pin style as well but have not failed me to date. I have a furling genoa for the first time and so am liking that feature but also with some learning to do. As with all our boats in the first season or so in discovering their manners, it comes with a few lessons. Thanks for sharing yours, bruce