Good question Thom. What was he doing on the
leeward side of the boat? Foolish place to be, unless
his son tacked the boat somehow. What the heck was
the staysail doing up if he was over-powered and couldn't
get the jib down????

My guess is he was going to the mast to ease the jib halyard
to lower the jib or else to reef the main.

More than likely he was over canvassed with a Genoa
in the first place.

Chances are high, he was trying to furl a big headsail when
sailing into the wind.

I'd be willing to bet, that if he had turned downwind he
could have furled the sail, or at least got it down and stowed
below easier. That means sailing away from your goal, but if
done smartly, only a little distance is lost.

I see many foolish sailors sailing when they feel they have
to hurry, to get a boat hauled. Late in the season the
winds are stronger, colder, and more dangerous.

"Thom Stewart" wrote

One HUGE question with your story?

If the Father was on the Bowsprit working on a Jammed Furler; just how
in the Hell was he knocked overboard by the staysail boom?