Thanks I made a typo : can => can't
I've found that my Taipan F16 sails plenty fast and deep with my main cleated; it is just that you have to get your steering right. Meaning to bear-off/head-up before the gust hits/leaves. Besides this is the only way to do it when solo under spinnaker.
But even 2-up we seem to get the best downwind speed by going deep with sufficiently good speed with a cleated main.
So basically, I think that assuming their is correllation between cleated main and deepness that it is at most and very weak correllation. In most instances too weak for most F16 sailors out there to justify them forgetting about leaving the main cleated.
Wouter
To say you cant agree with someone is not the political/social approach to take. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
Rather I think you should state your experience is otherwise.
I personally have a different view to your Wouter. I believe the boat is less "choked" when the helm has the ability to ease the traveller a little with bear aways & then back to near centre when chasing the "grove" again. But obviously this is difficult to do when sailing 1 up. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
