If you're backwinded, it's not clear that it would make much difference
what you do with the helm. Remember, it's 25 kts of wind. That's
significant enough to not want to do anything potentially violent,
such as a gybe. The safest course seems to me to be to release
the offending sail, controlling the sheet and bringing it over. As
soon as the pressure is released from the jib, the boat will start sailing
on the other tack. Then, it's a just a matter of being efficient with the
other sail.

wrote in message
...
On 15 Feb 2004 07:55:22 -0800, (N1EE) wrote:

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

May we unlash the helm? or are you asking primarily about what to do
with the sail(s)?