Taming the beast when solo

I installed a comp-tip last year and along with it came a new main halyard. The new line is missing the reef 'swag' (copper lug on the halyard) in order have the line nestle into the "v" which takes the weight of the sail near the top of the mast. I've been told it's not advisable to simply tie off the halyard against the mast on a cleat...too much tension for the cleat and it affects mast rotation.

Newer sails are without reef points. Reefing must be a thing of the past. I found it helpful on rare occasions before I installed the new set up. Perhaps I just need to figure out how to de-power some other way.

--I can tighten the down-haul thus flattening the sail, dumping wind off it.
--I know I can always take the jip down and bring the Ausie halyard to the bridle for mast tension and go jib-less.

(I even thought about taking an old main sheet/chopped battens and cutting a couple of feet off the leach...scandalous, I know.)
What else can I do to de-power when it really whips up and I'm alone?
I was wondering if there are any more tricks so tame the beast when it gets beyond one man/one trapeze(?)

Thanks community!

I may be stating the obvious to you but...the easiest way to depower is to let the traveller out, let it out in increments until the hull stops popping up in the gusts. I'd leave the jib on until it got really hairy and do the same thing, travel it all the way out. I'd personally rather have the jib available to tack the boat than have to resort to gybing.

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And that seems to work John... I have seen ya do it a couple times now.


Heck.. Could have had plenty of fun without the main...

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