To all and
@GBGraham
First I respect those asking questions just like GBGraham did and in no way am I upset with him. All of us try to provide information so the owner of his or her boat can make an intellectual decision. In fact there are no stupid questions because I already preceded everyone asking them anyway. I prefere those who have the intellect to ask which I respect out of safety. Therefore GBGRaham, ask away and always understand I am never upset.
Years ago when learning to sail, I learned a lot from an older gentleman who sailed the Mediterrian sailing circuit. He said anything can come up suddenly and you need to know how to reef as many wait till the last moment when in a sense it is too late. In addition, smaller displacement boats are more tender than the bigger counter parts paicularly if sailing solo. Therefore, when giving suggestions, I try to figure in all scenarios to include the worst situation as well. Sometimes, I also ask friends of mine in the industry their thoughts as well. Finally, it is good I know small boats but better yet when you know the specific boat in question like the Hunter 26 and 260 which I was involved with and sold so many. I also try to find out the condition of the boat and gear on board which I did here and the halyards to this 260 only has the rope clutch which allows you to raise the mainsail with no way to let it down unless you go to the clutch itself and release it by moving the handle, thus walking forward.
IN ADDITION AS Isaksp00 pointed out, the sail slugs in this mast have a retainer from coming out of the sail track just above where the opening is thus not allowing to lower the mainsail down all the way in the sail track. There is an easy solution. You can take a strip of alumuninum curved somewhat with one long side beveled and sanded smooth affixed to the opening of the sail track affixed by two or three screws that will allow the sail slids or slugs to drop all the way in the sail track; thus a sail stop would not be needed.
Many have good suggestions but one factor is water ballast and we need to remember that as the center of gravity in a sense is a little higher vs a fixed keel larger boat making this a little more tender. It has a centerboard that helps to prevent slippage or sideway movement in layman's terms. Therefore, that is not a keel with weighted ballast.
In order to reef GBGraham's boat, tying off the tiller via any means for example tiller tamer or a wheel brake if supplied with wheel steering can be dicey sailing solo in severe weather and that of course includes sudden changes in weather not anticipated.
His 260 has only the rope clutch meaning securing steerage on this boat, going forward to release the rope clutch to drop the sail. The sail stop which is a pin in this case has to be removed, to allow the sail to drop further in order to attach the sail horn being careful when raising back up to not to entangle the sail on that horn or curved hook from ripping.
Then you have to pull on the outhaul to tighten the reefed main before raising it up. Then of course walking back to the tiller or wheel. During this time I have seen many smaller boats broach the wind thus scarring the crap out of the sailor or sailors.
I have suggested a single line reef on the boom using gear when pointed into the wind that will work which it has. I have made a suggestion to eliminate the sail stop putting in a removable piece of aluminum so the sail slides will not come out thus allowing a quicker time to reef the sail in the horn of course being careful so it will not catch on the horn ripping the mainsail.
Finally, I suggested a quick style cam release some of which need to be elevated upward if fixed while the swivel does not require to enable the skipper with a flick of the wrist in the cockpit to release the main halyard, thus lowering the mainsail. Oh, on those fixed camcleats you can add a eye pad to the top to keep the rope from coming out. Did you catch any terminology wrong here? I should have said line. OOPS. 20,000 noodles coming my way