Sailed last night in more breeze than we typically see on a Tuesday on the Chesapeake. Probably only gusting to 20 kts max, so no issues to speak of, but I had trouble explaining the intricacies of heavy air trim to the crew and how to manage the rock & roll. My experience on a J/24 - granted a boat that rolls a LOT more than an Express in a blow, not to mention going a lot slower - is to keep the clew to leeward of the forestay with a few pumps as the boat rolls to wind. If that doesn't work, drop the pole forward a foot as it heads for the water and make SURE that the excess gets taken in on the sheet. What else. Drop the pole forward and take in on the sheet if the bag tries to collapse in a header puff. Snatch down the sheet with the twing. Basically try to keep the boat under the spinnaker all the time. Which brings up coordination/communiction with the helm.

Anyone else? Seems like a lot of classes have their "death roll recovery" thread on their boards. Used to be a good one for Olson 30s but I can't find it now. Maybe some of the SF guys can share their tips on heavy air trim...just no cracks about the how 20 kts only amounts to a drifter...