This is an article from Good Old Boat (a magazine we like a lot), written by Ed Zacko. Good Old Boat and Ed have graciously allowed us to republish it for OCH members.
Ellen is on top of me! Our legs are entwined! We are lying against the starboard side of our cockpit footwell. It is horizontal, parallel with the sea, and seawater is pouring over us from the lee side cockpit coaming. Without any warning, ENTR’ACTE has been knocked down by a ferocious gust of wind and is on her beam ends, mast and spreaders in the water. To reach the mainsheet is nw a vertical climb against gravity and the wind. Finally, one of us manages to let the sheet fly but the line jams. By this time, like a panicked tightrope walker, I am crawling forward through the water along the starboard lifelines, all the while praying for the mainsail to “please blow out” and end this thing. Does anyone actually wish for a sail to blow out? Well, it’s not every day that a sailor gets to see his cabintop rising vertically from the sea.
. . . sign up to the right to get immediate access to this full post,
plus you'll get 10 of our best videos for free.
Get Free Videos& Learn More Join Now!!for Full Access Members Sign In
Ross Byrne says:
As someone experienced in seamanship but new to sailing this article was loaded with helpful info besides the use of a trysail.
Lyle Russell says:
Have you considered a halyard for the trysail? It would reduce the load on the slides at the head and simplify setting the sail. Yes the slot and pulley would weaken the mast a bit?