hi
Not sure if there is another expression for continually adjusting the main sheet when working upwind in gusty conditions.
In anything more than about 20 knots (and gusting) the gusts attempt to round the boat up into the wind with plenty of windward helm. By easing the main sheet momentarily it drops the power enough to keep on a straight course.

My question is; are there preferable ways of setting up your main sheet and particular blocks and cleats to help with sailing like this.

- Disclaimer - I was a bowman not a trimmer...

That said - The main should be set up for the conditions to begin with.
Outhaul and halyard tension to suit conditions, basically as the breeze increases both of these adjustments should be tensioned harder.
This will give you the basic sail shape to suit the breeze.

If you get gusts that over power the rig then its time to drop the traveller down - leave the mainsheet tensioned.

If dropping the traveller down is not sufficient then its time to ease tension on the mainsheet.

So the key is around having a decent purchase arrangement on the traveller and a cleat system handy to the trimmer or helm. Most cases cam cleats of a suitable size will be the go for this.

Mainsheet for a NS 27 I would think should be around 4:1 or 5:1. If you want to get excited then maybe a fine tune system at 3:1 hanging off this.
Traveller purchase maybe 2:1 or 3:1 max, as the track takes a lot of the load.

I am sure there a few pics people can post showing different setups.

Cheers

Definitely Over powered,
Flatten the main sail with lots of Backstay heaps of main sheet and play the traveller, that is if you are racing. Otherwise reef

thanks all, some ideas to take onboard ;)

(excuse the bad pun)