DaySailer.org Forum

Yesterday while single handing my boat, the wind came up with white caps. I decided to drop the main sail, and motor back to shore. I bungeed my tiller, went up front, released the halyard too quickly and missed the slot where the main sail feeds out. My boat then swung around, and there was too much pressure on the sail to pull it back up and then back down.

So I sailed back with the main all the way out, pretty much sailing on the jib. I managed to control the boat and finally grabbed onto my pick up pin with all my might, screeching to a halt on my mooring.

Question - what should I have done, and what should I change? I've decided:

I need a better tiller lock to keep my boat pointed towards the wind, but when it's really windy that's hard.

I need to be conscious of the slot when I drop the mast. Is there something like a slug or some device that helps you do that in a hurry. I think the problem was I didn't release the downhaul first.

I checked the weather before going out, but this came out of nowhere.

I don't have reefing points, but wouldv'e have trouble getting them on anyway.

Always drop your jib first. With the main up, your boat will weather cock, and flap noisely but ineffectively while you bring down the main. On a boat this small, locking the tiller does little as the simple act of moving forward changes the trim and as the bow digs in, it will turn to weather.

When you are raising sail, do the reverse. main first, let the boat weathercock, with the main flapping, then raise the jib and allow it to flap. Walk back to the tiller, sheet it, bear off and sail away. If you get stuck in irons, backwind the jib for a few seconds until you bear off the wind, then sheet in and sail away.

It you want to avoid having to go forward, lead all your lines to cleats at the aft end of the cuddy roof.

It's possible bringing the jib down after the main got stuck would have would have allowed the boat to come into the wind. I agree with Roger's that the jib should come down first, but better late than never.

But I know it's hard; in my experience, the boat does not easily point into the wind unless the main is trimmed, and when you are alone and forward, that can involve some scary swings when the sail fills. A sea anchor helps stabilize the boat in those situations.