1 point to you Doug.

The local Star sailors here still do it.
I've never done it myself, I usually start
with the bitter end and let it fall randomly,
and only had one easly to clear snag using
that method.

I might consider it in fresh water. I'd
prefer to keep my lines clean and dry.

Have you ever used that method?

Bart

DSK wrote

N1EE wrote:
What do some sailboat racers throw overboard
just before the leeward mark?

The tail of the spinnaker halyard.

Bart, you may be showing your age (and mine) here. This was failry
common about 40 years ago, and I don't recall seeing anybody do it for
about 20. The idea was to shake the tangle out and control the speed of
the douse.

Fresh Breezes
Doug King