Hi,
For the type of sailing I do, one reef is best for me. I do a lot of day sailing, some casual racing, and a few weekend cruises. I will reef when conditions call for it. If it’s too windy for the first reef then it’s too windy for me to enjoy sailing. I carry full sail to 15 kts apparent. Then a reef in the mail gets me to 20, then i roll up my headsail from a 135 to a 100. That gets me to 25 kts. If the wind is above 25 then I’ll furl the headsail and a reefed main alone is good for wind up to 30. More than 30 kts of wind and i would just drop the main. I usually sail short handed and if it’s that windy it’s just too much work to make the sailing fun.
If i we’re doing long passages then i would want a second reef but for my sailing it’s not necessary. My previous boat had two reefs and it was a pain dealing w the lines when the sail was down, etc.
barry