On Bebop, we change to the #2 at about 20 apparent and the #3 at 24, since our crew is usually only about 1200 lbs. From 18 up, mainsheet is as tight as you can get without hooking the upper batten, outhaul and cunningham on, vang pulled on with the main trimmed. I play the traveler, controlling heel and helm pressure, constantly talking to my skipper, and dropping it any time the helm loads up. We don't vang sheet until dropping the traveler has no effect. But, usually with the traveler all the way down, the main is barely working. I don't like to feather until we are thinking about a reef and #3 at 30. If you feel slow with the #3 blade, ease it and inch or two, drop the traveler and put the bow down. Strapping the #3 is slow.
