Cruising New Zealand - reefing the main when OOPS the mainsheet ran through the blocks - Coral Moon

Описание: Sailing in New Zealand to Great Barrier Island when suddenly during the process of reefing the mainsail the stopper knot (overhand knot) came loose so the entire main sheet ran through the blocks and the boom was uncontrolled - briefly.

Sarah had the reef in and the halyard tensioned well as I used the inward most attachment point mid boom (about 1/3 of the way out from the mast) with a spare line and tied the boom down to a strong mid-boat cleat on the rail. Step one - reduce the swinging of the boom, very careful to keep my head down and continue the same course so the boom stayed on the port side of the boat inside of swinging across the center of the cockpit. Then I attached a second line to the bottom of the boom about 2/3 out from the mast at a different angle, which stabilized the boom. Only then did I reach up and out to rerun the main sheet. Then we continued our lovely sail!

As a mainsheet trimmer i always ensure there is a stopper knot on the main sheet so this difficulty can be avoided. This is a 43 foot sailboat so the boom is lethal if it swings uncontrollably. Note to self--always check the stopper knots (and on J109 Hravn on which i have crewed as mainsheet trimmer, i used to put tape around the knot at the end of the main sheet so no one would inadvertantly untie the main sheet stopper knot.)