MOB - best sequence of steps with one person left aboard

[dom]

I was thinking that by "crash stop" people meant heaving-to, what am I missing?

Prob just a nomenclature thing. When I mean crash stop I personally mean head to wind, then sheet main in the fully and then keep it there. The helmsman uses the dwindling momentum of the boat to tack and turn back to the MoB (main pinned tight & jib now backwinded), then gybes, then finally comes up beside the MoB only then dumping main and jib (never touched until now) to control speed and recover.

It's v. fast, but if the boat gets stuck in irons a bit of a mess. That's why -- at least most racing boats I know -- will come hard off the wind and get the gybe in early and fast and then back up on the MoB on the other tack; recover and on their way.

One potential advantage of the 'tack/crash stop' (as described above) and the 'gybe-stop' is that both avoid the risk in rough seas of a hoved-to vessel bringing its pitching bow or stern sections anywhere near the swimmer.

Hope that makes at least some sense :ambivalence:

 

[[163233]]

The other guy who also went overboard when you tacked (the crash stop) into the heave-to position.

There's only me left aboard remember...

 

[Barnacle Bill]

I was thinking that by "crash stop" people meant heaving-to, what am I missing?

Generally the boat will not 'stop' with a crash stop, in order to get it to heave to you need to head into the wind until it stops sailing. Depends on the boat of course, but with modern light displacement yachts it's actually quite difficult to get them to heave to properly, i.e. get to the state where they are moving sideways through the water with the keel 'stalled'.

No - the 'crash stop' I recommended results in the yacht still moving - sailing inefficiently - through the water. But it's very quick to do and totally safe (main sheeted hard in, don't touch the genny). Specifically the yacht can either a) sail slowly back towards the person or thing in the water, with no further adjustment of sails or b) sail safely in circles with the helm hard over - the preferred option if inexperienced crew are left on-board.

My kids (12, 10) can do it!

 

[[163233]]

Generally the boat will not 'stop' with a crash stop, in order to get it to heave to you need to head into the wind until it stops sailing. Depends on the boat of course, but with modern light displacement yachts it's actually quite difficult to get them to heave to properly, i.e. get to the state where they are moving sideways through the water with the keel 'stalled'.

The difference appears to be that you've fully sheeted in the main and left the tiller over so the boat doesn't actually stop but carries on round instead?

I'll have to experiment a bit. It sounds like potentially presenting a lot of sail area to wind and waves on the beam if it's blowing a bit. If you were in 27'er with a F6 and 2-3 metre waves, mightn't it be a bit hairy?

 

[alant]

The difference appears to be that you've fully sheeted in the main and left the tiller over so the boat doesn't actually stop but carries on round instead?

I'll have to experiment a bit. It sounds like potentially presenting a lot of sail area to wind and waves on the beam if it's blowing a bit. If you were in 27'er with a F6 and 2-3 metre waves, mightn't it be a bit hairy?

If it's "blowing a bit", you would have your sails reefed accordingly.
The crash stop simply puts the boat quickly onto the opposite tack, which will be a heave too, with the boat moving at a much lower speed than previously. Then putting the tiller or wheel over, will make it turn in a circle. Yes, as it gybes with the main sheeted, it can seem hairy to the uninitiated, but not as hairy as losing sight/contact with MOB.

PS, good manoeuvre if needing to dawdle whilst something bigger is allowed to pass in front like a ferry.

 

[geem]

I read the first few pages of this thread but not all of them. I may have missed it somewhere but I am suprised nobody says hit the chat plotter MOB button. With just one person remaining on the boat it will not be possible to keep your eye on them at all times and carryout a rescue. Surely if you have a cockpit plotter this is the first thing to do. It gives you a position where they went over the side. If there are any problems turning the boat around then at least you know where to head for. It would be faire to assume the person would have drifted down wind from this point.
We carry three large sail cloth bean bags in the cockpit at all times. These would be going over the side just after the MOB button press as they can be in the sea in 5 seconds. They provide huge bouyancy and can be seen at a reasonable distance. I would then be turning the boat around best I could

 

[JumbleDuck]

Prob just a nomenclature thing. When I mean crash stop I personally mean head to wind, then sheet main in the fully and then keep it there. The helmsman uses the dwindling momentum of the boat to tack and turn back to the MoB (main pinned tight & jib now backwinded), then gybes, then finally comes up beside the MoB only then dumping main and jib (never touched until now) to control speed and recover.

I have my doubts about whether I could get that to work in my long keeler with a high bow, but I shall do some experiments this year.

 

[RupertW]

I think a crash stop is the right thing to do (after throwing Dan buoy) but if you are reaching with the main out then pulling it back in would be a chore and a delay, but hopefully easier as you will be close to the wind. Once the wind is coming from the side or further behind then in any kind of wind we have no main up so need to think this one through.