Ralph,

I know you are an experienced sailor though fairly new to Hobies. I found that the force required to tighten the main sheet in strong winds did a lot of damage to my hands especially in the beginning of the season. I don't really let the line slide out through my hands. I switched from the standard 5 to 1 blocks to the 6 to 1 and even with the extra leverage I still occasionally need to use 2 hands to tighten the sheet. Sailing my catboat I don't use gloves and don't find the need for them except when jibing. That large sail just goes out too fast and it is not possible to slow it down much.

Howard