Turing a sailboat in heavy wind?

Question

If my boat is heeling a lot to windward do I liff up or bear away

Answer 1

If you have enough speed to complete your tack, go ahead and tack.  If you do not have speed to turn, fall off until you have the speed, then tack.

The only way you are going to lose control if if your rudder is not in the water far enough to give you steerage, they you will round up into the wind, effectively putting you in irons.

Answer 2

Fall off to windward lessons the pressure on the sails> Trying to head up is hard if the wind is blowing> An might cause you to lose rudder> Or just let some sheet out on the main to lesson the heel>And let some sheet out on the jib will remove some heel also> It's a combo you have to learn> what it take to keep the boat in control and safe> And trimmed>