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.


--
Wally
www.artbywally.com
www.wally.myby.co.uk