"Joe" wrote
For most of the afternoon, Stringfield said, they had been sailing.
But they were having trouble getting the main sail up, so Elliott
decided to use the motor. Stringfield said he was standing in the back
of the boat pulling in ropes while Elliott tried to start the engine,
which they had been having trouble with earlier that afternoon.


So they've been sailing most of the afternoon. But they were having trouble
getting the mainsail up. So how were they sailing? Duh!
Your reading comprehensions not the best is it Joe?

Cheers,
Ellen