You could still use the 8:1 and be fine but we like the ability to trap flat on the wire and play sheet without using back and shoulders (sit up a bit to sheet) We use the 9: mode when its windy as the sheet loads are actually a little lower then compared to 8-14kts when you have heaps of sheet load.

The downhauls are tending towards 16:1 but some still have 8:1