At a regatta in the early 80's, during the Skipper's meeting it was recommended anyone racing 16's should seriously consider reefing their main.
Wind speed (with handheld anemometer) was sustained 30 and gusting. Of course, maybe three of the 60 or so 16's went out reefed (can you say Testosterone?).
Prior to the start of the first race we capsized, turtled, righted, crossed the start line (DNF) and announced to RC we were headed to the beach.
We returned in time to start the second race, under reefed main, with me on the wire and my Wife on the tramp holding the jib sheet, UNCLEATED close to her chest and easing to arms length in the gusts. Somehow, we stayed upright, in sheer survival mode, and finished third. The first and second place, non-reefed boats beat us by a mile (or two) but I lost count as to how many capsized boats we passed. At any one time there were at least a dozen boats capsized on the course and racing was called for the day after the finish of race two.
Fast forward to the mid 2000's and I was going to recreate that day with my Son, to prove how well mannered a reefed 16 is to sail in 30 knots. After setting up the boat and double checking all our fittings and harnesses we shoved off. No sooner did I sheet in, then the well used main sail ripped at the panel seam directly above the reef, from leech to luff. 20 minutes later we made it back to shore as sailing under jib only the boat wants to head up, especially in heavy air.
Long story for, IMHO if it's so windy you need to reef the main, you're better off staying on the beach