Coming off wing on wing with good wind.

Sailed the length of Buzzards bay wing on wing today with good wind, 15-20knots. Trying to figure out if there is a way to reef before turning to the wind? Ended up reefing the genoa before turning but I really should have reefed the main as well. Was thinking bring the genoa all the way in so it won't back, turn into the wind, reef the main, fall off and let the genny back out. Better methods?

On passage, we usually reef the genoa - not completely furled - and then haul the main back to center line with the main sheet while the wind is still abaft of the beam. Then we have a boat that is easy to handle as we turn up into the wind. We can then ease the main back out as we come around closer to the wind, or head up further to reef the main before falling off again. We find locking the main helps us with control as long as the jib is reduced.

That method has worked for us over the last 200,000 miles of cruising and deliveries without a single injury.

And as an aside, I've done that wing-on-wing down Buzzard Bay - what a nice treat!

All the best,

Blaine