Having the proper sails will make sailing in heavy air possible. You will be able to endure the severe conditions and even have fun. This sail is the first heavy weather sail you want to add, whether you are racing or cruising, coastal or blue water. It is built of material equal to or heavier than that of the mainsail. This sail is cut with a higher clew and minimal foot round to allow waves to wash through the bow.
Seams are triple stitched, leech and foot are double taped, and all corners are heavily reinforced.
Reefing a larger genoa on a furling system will work for a short period, but if you are sailing for any time or distance, a sail that is made for this weather will trim much better and last longer in your inventory. Heavy air will put severe strain on a furled sail or a jib that is reefed. Also, boats with furling systems or grooved headstays must have an alternate means of attaching the heavy weather jib. Grommets along the luff will allow you to lace the sail to the headstay to prevent the sail from pulling out of the track. A head pennant is used to allow the halyard to be raised to its full hoist position.