Sorry posted before I was ready!
If you feel that a third reef is something you will need, then rig it properly, with external lines if your boom is full.
On rascal, my 26 I don't have a third reef, I've been out in a force 8, when I finished up sailing with 2 reefs in the main and no jib, granted it was beam/downwind, but I felt in control and safe.
My main thing for rough weather sailing is that I do not leave the cockpit, I have all my lines lead to the cockpit.
Philip
rascal
26