Bob, A boom kicker is nice for keeping the leach open in light air, but not really necessary. As for reefing, you basically never need to do it. You can depower the boat very effectively by flattening the main with the outhaul and cunningham and using the backstay to dump wind off the top of the sail. I've singlehanded in 30 plus knots, doublehanded in 45, with full main and a number three. I'm not saying we weren't knocked about a bit, but it was really no problem. Most boats on SF Bay have no reef points or reef lines.

For the outboard, Honda's 2hp 4-stroke is the greatest thing ever invented. Light, relatively quiet, low-pollution. I replaced a 4-horse Evinrude with one and frankly never noticed any loss of power. As for an Autohelm, it's fine downwind (for setting the kite solo) and on any point of sail in light airs. In any kind of breeze it gets overpowered easily on a beam reach or close-hauled. Cheers, Larry Fisher Express 27 #69 Gwendolyn

:: Ralph

:: Thank you.You have been most helpful. Have been
:: considering an autohelm--makes sense.Think that a boom
:: kicker,boomvang as helping as well save on the sails
:: from a topping lift easier on the reefing. What size OB
:: would you suggest? Considering a Yamahaw or Honda .

:: Bob
::
:: ::
:: :: Another thought on singlehanding: I haven't used it
:: :: much, but an Autohelm seems to steer my boat pretty
:: :: well. And it wasn't hard to install. However, I sail on
:: :: the Great Lakes, mostly in moderate conditions, so I'm
:: :: not sure how it would work in the ocean off San
:: :: Francisco. I've never tried it in rough conditions.