Yeah seelka, it definitely depends on more than TWS and AWS. Sea state plays a major role as does
weather conditions and
route in general, coastal or crossing oceans. The problem with enjoying the sleigh ride is that at some stage you may need to come beam on and upwind into a nasty swell and 35k winds that you were previously enjoying downwind. I don't really like being hard in the
wind with apparent wind over 30K (25 true)with full sail. I just know the rig is under a lot more pressure than it needs to be and also from previous experience, one reef won't effect speed much and will likely make the ride a bit smoother and safer. Downwind the
sails are more likely to be feeling 17K so no big deal, unless the conditions are deteriorating and we do have to reef. This is where using the parasailor is great. No main up and easy to drop and pull out some
jib without changing course.
Also there's a huge difference between 25K of damp air and 25K or dry air, I'd guess 25 of damp air is closer to 30+ of dry warm air.
Also the pressure on the
sails is 4 times the windspeed, so an increase from 20K to 25K doubles the pressure on the sails, rig and fittings. Ouch, lots to think about. I guess that's why they say reef when you first think about it.
Today we had a great sail in the lee of virgin gorda. Flat
water 20-25T at 50 degrees, sitting in 9K for an hour. I didn't reef but the
jib was a bit more open than it needed to be and the was a slight amount if
weather helm, so a reef in the main might have balanced things a bit more.
I'm not sure what the L400 manual says and I do t think it refers to app or true. Wait I'll check