A sail made for cruising is different than a sail made for racing. That's an important difference.

You're out there for 24 hours a day perhaps for a few days. Constantly changing sails for performance isn't something you do. Speed isn't as important as is comfort and crew comfort is primary. That doesn't mean your lazy or not a good sailor.

Now,,, if you're going out for a day sail or racing around the bouys it's a different animal. You're running around the boat adjusting for every wind shift, putting in a reef and taking out a reef. That's when 3 reefs work. Of course if you're in racing mode with 2 people aboard for days at a time you'll be dead from exhaustion before your reach your destination.

2 reefs for cruising, that's what works.