Some sailors choose a relatively small headsail as their primary genoa, because the difficulty of changing down in heavy air does not justify the light air performance. With an efficient reefing system, you can choose a primary genoa that allows the boat to sail efficiently in light air. Storage Few cruising boats offer convenient storage for bagged or unbagged sails. No one likes to fill the cabin with a sea of wet cloth that can't be properly stowed until the boat is back in port, where the sail can be dried and folded. After they're flying, the genoa is rolled out of the way, ready to reset before the spinnaker is struck.
Every boat needs a heavy air jib for extreme conditions.
Usually it will be set before the boat leaves the mooring. When the wind is already very high, start with the heavy air jib and reef it if conditions deteriorate further. Better Visibility Efficient genoas are cut close to the deck, where they obscure visibility ahead and to leeward. Since most sailing takes place within a few miles of a harbor, visibility is important for safety and peace of mind. Resist the temptation to permanently reduce your sail area by cutting the clew high to gain visibility.