We are going downwind at 8-10 knots at that wind speed, so the apparent wind is only 20 knots or so. Honestly, the boat didn't need us to reef then either, we just felt better about it. The autopilot was steering just fine. Each time we reduced sail it wasn't because the current winds were too strong, but because we were concerned they would continue to get stronger and that would make reducing that particular sail combo a pain. We tried to stay ahead of the curve with reducing sail and that seemed to work out well as we rarely slowed down much.

My wife is much better at determining the appropriate time to reef. I tend to hold out a little too long and then regret it. Although she did call me on deck one morning to HOIST the main just minutes before a ripping thunderstorm and a waterspout appeared. That wasn't our best timing. Hard to see those things in the dark.

Going upwind would be a different matter, although having a 7' draft with a bulb on the bottom sure don't hurt matters!