Dropping Sails When Solo Sailing

I solo
sail a 22 ft Chrysler monohaul and have a question about dropping my sails at
the end of a sail. I typically head into irons, leave the tiller unattended,
sheet in the main sail, and go onto the foredeck to first drop and tie down the
genoa. Invariably and especially in high winds the main begins to fill and
force me into a close to beam reach. I was hit with a 21 kn gust, lost my grip
on the genoa, and almost capsized. I was lucky enough to get to the cockpit and
release the main sheet. Seems obvious now, but should I always just release the
main sheet before going on the foredeck to drop the genoa? Or is it more
dangerous to have the boom free and unattended?

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Sail NOLA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sail NOLA Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Dropping Sails When Solo Sailing Posted: 16 Aug 12 at 4:54pm
	I solo sail a 22 ft Chrysler monohaul and have a question about dropping my sails at the end of a sail. I typically head into irons, leave the tiller unattended, sheet in the main sail, and go onto the foredeck to first drop and tie down the genoa. Invariably and especially in high winds the main begins to fill and force me into a close to beam reach. I was hit with a 21 kn gust, lost my grip on the genoa, and almost capsized. I was lucky enough to get to the cockpit and release the main sheet. Seems obvious now, but should I always just release the main sheet before going on the foredeck to drop the genoa? Or is it more dangerous to have the boom free and unattended?

gordon1277 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 24 Mar 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 665	Post Options Post Reply Quote gordon1277 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Aug 12 at 5:08pm
	I would advise letting both sails free before letting go of the tiller, can you arrange elastic to hold the tiller amidships? then go forward to drop and if need be pull the boom by hand to send the boat back into irons. It may cost money but it would be a lot safer if you could release the halyards from the cockpit. Good luck Gordon
	Gordon Lossc

Sail NOLA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sail NOLA Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Aug 12 at 3:47pm
	Thanks Gordon. Had a similar experience this week but used your advice and released the main sheet before dropping the genoa. Worked like a charm. Frank

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6660	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Aug 12 at 4:51pm
	Do you have a topping lift? Hardly a bit of racing equipment, but if you heave the boom a few feet in the air it will both be out of the way and take a lot of filling.