Procedures for my 31
Don --Have had an 84 H31 on the Bay for 6 years now. Here's what I do:As Len said, you're going to want to reef around 15 knots. If the boat starts getting overpowered (ie rounds up into the wind in puffs), you should hit the first reef on the main. On a masthead rig such as we have, this is the quickest way to reduce heel. If you're still feeling a little "out of control," then start reducing the jib a bit if you have roller furling.Another trick that works if the wind isn't quite strong enough to round you up, but you want to get the heeling back in control is to ease both the main and jib a little more than they are then. You can also use the traveler and main sheet to give a little twist to the mainsail and let it spill air from the top half of the main. Don't put any sail to the point where it is constantly luffing to avoid wear to the sail, but a little fluttering is okay.In 25 knot winds, I'd be on the first reef on the main, and would adjust the jib to suit. Again, the sails might be eased a bit to keep the boat up straighter.As a last resort, I drop the main and sail under jib only. Some folks disagree with me on this. They can do what they want.A note: NEVER worry about what other boats are doing. Be concerned with YOUR boat and YOUR parameters for comfortable, safe sailing. My husband ragged on me one day for sailing under jib alone on a VERY windy day when we had guests that were new to sailing. We were comfortable, and everyone had a good time, except my husband who was convinced I was the biggest wimp in the world.Then later that day we ran into a (male) friend with a larger boat and we asked him how his day was. He responded that it was so windy that he just sailed back under jib. I gave my husband "the look" and mentioned to our friend (that Jay worships) that Jay thought that was incredibly wimpy. Later we discussed this, and I got him to admit that he would hever have questioned our friend. In the end, he admitted that I did what was right, and I left him with some things to think about ;-)Hope this helps,Shambie