"Wally" wrote in message ...
tom wrote:

The knockdown was a first and a surprise for the both of us as
neither of us are anything but a "weekend sailor." We were sailing
as we usually sailed, with the jib sheet held by a cam* cleat.
There is no way in my estimation that one could physically hold
the sheet as there is considerable pull being exerted. Obviously,
if it was known or suspected that we were heading for a knockdown
the jib sheet would have been loosened, but such was not the case.
And once we were knocked down there was too much pressure on the
mechanism to quickly release the sheet. The boat does have winches
but we have never used them to restrain a jib sheet.

Sounds like you should be putting the jibsheet on a winch, then.

With 2 or 3 turns around the winch, there'll be enough friction to be able
to keep the sheet tight without cleating it, and still be able to ease it
instantly should a knockdown loom. If you get a gust and the crew has to
ease the jib, he just has to step over once the boat comes back up and turn
the winch to sheet in, rope already around the winch, minimal effort.


I don't mean to flog a dead horse, so I'll close this with a thank
you, but
I was looking for action/s which would either prevent a knockdown at
the time circumstances are causing such; or if knocked down: action/s
which can limit the severity of the knockdown. Obviously, there are a
number of things we could have done to prevent a knockdown, such as
reefing the main more and furling the jib before we went out on the
water; however, that's hindsight. Prior to the knockdown we both were
of the opinion that releasing/easing the main and jib sheets was
sufficient action to largely control heeling. We are probably right in
our assumption; however, such is qualified by the fact that it seems
almost impossible to uncleat the jib sheet from the high side when a
knockdown occurs, and it still isn't easy when one grasps the sheet
mere inches from the cleating mechanism.

Once again, thanks to all who offered an opinion.

Back to intermittent lurk status