You didn't read it Brien. Bart said that the helm was lashed.

You're right. It will oscillate, but not probably so far as head to wind.
If you time it right, moving the head sail shouldn't be a problem. You
can certainly get the sail over, but it might not be trimmed properly.
That's easily done by heading up slightly and trimming. If you have
a self-tailer it's easier, but in any case it should be possible to head up
with one hand on the helm and one hand on the sheet. I've certainly
done it while single handing or with students many times in 20+ kts.

"Brien Alkire" wrote in message
...
If you're hove-to then somehow the helm was thrown over (unless you mean
you're in irons?). The boat should be oscillating between close hauled
with
a backed jib and head to wind. Let it fall off onto the new tack, bring
the
jib over, get some speed and tack again. If you absolutely don't have
anyone around to help with moving the headsail then you can drop or luff
it
once you're settled on the new back and sail by main alone.



"N1EE" wrote in message
om...
You are the sole watch keeper, at night,
sailing along close hauled in 25 knots
of wind. The helm is lashed. Suddenly
a squall line comes through and you are
taken aback, and find yourself hove-to
under full sail.

What do you do to get underway again?

Bart Senior