Slieve:
From Amiina we've learned that large sail area does not necessarily result in a faster or better boat, regardless of handicap if you have to reduce area to keep the boat sailing.
I have found that too. While I am a fan of big sail area in light conditions, the argument that it can easily be reefed does seem to have its limitations. My SJR works beautifully with one reef. Not so well with two, and beyond that, windward work starts to become progressively poor. With just one panel up, or perhaps two - probably hopeless to windward.
With Serendipity (which, being a trailer boat, has to be rigged from scratch each time) I have learned and found ways to clip and unclip sheeting spans and parrel-downhaul spans, and I'm using a two-part sheeting system. It might be possible that a dedicated three-panel storm sail, residing in and deployable from a sail catcher, could be made to share the boom and the top spans of a working rig, But as you say, it is easy to theorise.
The question for me at the moment is: what would the ideal size and shape (and type) of sail best suited to heavy weather conditions, for, say, a 30-footer - and with the capability to claw off a lee shore. For a start, a good part of the mast needs to be utilised I would imagine, as a bare mast is uselss to windward and too much of a drag. Also the sail needs to be big and powewrful enough to overcome the drag of the vessel itself, especially if it has high freeboard. When conditions are such that the boat can no longer stand up to such a sail, then I supppose that's the limit on what it can weather. I guess such a sail would need to be designed with the particular boat in mind, but I am keen to know if there are any established principles.
Any one got any thoughts?