Thanks for that Thom

If you are helming you can luff as you reach the crest. That slows the
leap off and also softens the crash .. You then bear away again to gain
speed.

Cheers MC

Thom Stewart wrote:

Nav,

She seemed like she was just trying to pound a hole in the water, when
trying make into the wind. The boat I had at the time was OB power and
was cavitating badly

She would gain some headway down the back off the oncoming wave then be
driven back be the next wave, she'd ride up and over, brake thru the
crest and fall back into the down side with a hell of a pounding.. When
I tried falling of a bit I clear the crest with a sickening snap roll
and landed back into the wave at crazy different angles.

When I turned downwind I was surfing to fast and catching the next wave
and damn near stopping and then taking the next wave on the stern. That
was when I rigged the drag with the doubled anchor line with the lunch
hook to keep it in the water. Worked for about 6 wave then the whole
thing came aboard, Luckily I seen it coming and dodged the anchor. I had
the barge boards in place, which kept the anchor out was the cabin. Got
the sails off, lashed the helm down and got in the cabin with the crew.
She had a traditional layout and we wedged ourselves between the cabin
bunks, sitting on the floor.

She didn't stay hove-to but laid ahull, which worried the hell out of me
because of all the tales of horror about 360 rolls but she took care of
herself and us for close to 18 hrs. I even think the motion improved but
that could have been because I was inside and not watching the waves

When we got in I took those storm sails off the boat, which was a
improvement right there. They were a PITA to store,

If it gets worst than a double reef I go bare head now. I've come home
under bare pole several times. I don't missed those stiff, hard to
manage heavy pieces of **** one single bit; AND. "I'LL DRINK TO THAT!!"

Ole Thom

P/S That's the first time I've told that story in 16 years and I'm not
telling it again!