What length spinnaker sheets and guys?

[Deleted member 36384]

The trick with stopper knots on spin sheet ends is to do a figure 8 stopper knot but don't pull the tail through such that you have like a bow. Pulling the tail will unravel the stopper knot. (even under load) A good compromise that will stop the sheet running away but still able to let the sheet go completely in an emergency. That emergency should be confined to man overboard.
Releasing sheets and guys in a broach that lays the boat down is just a recipe for having the spin blow upwards and down wind like a parachute pulling the mast top down. (and holding it down)
When running shy even if running square and you broach you end up shy ease the sheet a little but just hang on and having dumped the main sail sheet wait till she rises again and hope to turn down wind so back up to speed and nearer boat flat. Of course the real trick is to turn down wind before she leans over so far the rudder has no control. (and dumping main early)
As a matter of interest I fly a spin (shy) a lot on the little boat. I did improve the resistance to the broach to a huge degree by increasing the depth, area and balance of the rudder. Gives me a better chance of turning down wind at the beginnings of being over powered in a gust. good fun olewill

You really should not have to touch the guy when overpowered under the kite.
In big gust conditions a big ease of the sheet (my dump reference) normally kills the power and stops any broaching.
When trying to lay a mark bearing away might put you at a disadvantage, so killing the power from the kite might be the best solution.
When the broach starts, it can still be stopped by killing the power from the kite that also reduces the healing moment.
The boom often ends up in the water and sheets itself in by water pressure, killing the main by dumping the kicker is the only option left and one will still want to give the kite a big ease.
Easing the sheet on the main is not that effective when the kite is up and the yacht is starting to be overpowered because the apparent wind is already likely to be aft of the beam and as the yacht slows it swings further aft reducing the effectiveness of any main sheet release.

I don't disagree with sailing further downwind in the gusts to retain control and speed and in most situations one will have room and time to do this, by far this is the better strategy. However, it is not always possible and then a big ease on the kite's sheet might be all that it takes to control, but the mast shake with a flogging spinnaker in big gust conditions is quite daunting.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

My apology. .... I may change my practice, if persuaded. .....

No need to apologise at all. We come here to share experiences and pass on advice, I think the majority do so with good intentions. I have made some bad posts with wrong advice and have been corrected by forum members on a few occasions. I think it is fantastic that we have access to such a resource as this. As long as we are not the old dogs of that famous adage then I think we all have an easier time sailing as result of what we contribute here.