Getting the main down.

[sabray]

A few days ago I snagged a pot line. I tried a bunch of sail sets to shake it off. Basically the line was hooked well astern. I wanted to drop the main but could not. The boat hung pointing down wind. I could have rigged hooks into the track clews and winched but did not like that at as a first option. I have full batten Antal system the wind was full from the stern. Not being able to budge the sail sucked. I was not motoring so I was confident I had not hooked the prop. Not being able to depower sucked. I was surpised that I could not have even reefed without putting substantial winch gear to use. Is it the full batten set up causing tension? That's the question why could I not budge the sail down. Pretty sure I have done this before. It was not windy maybe 10 knots.
I got off by backing down hard with the engine after checking the prop was clear. After clearing I wrapped the line anyway and had to cut myself free. Apology to the fishermen. Not sure how I missed your float but I did and damn I wish I had not.

[Teknav]

Hiya Sabray! Don't feel too bad about severing a fisherman's line; they are accustomed to it, unfortunately. Fishermen frequently use grappling anchors to fish out their pots. It's the nature of the business.

Mauritz

[sabray]

Pretty sure fishermen marked the pot by GPS. Still hated to cut it loose that way. Best I can do now is admit I did and hope the fishing is good for him tomorrow.

[Teknav]

I didn't see you cutting anything!

Mauritz

[cfarrar]

Sabray, I've done that a few times. In that situation I just cut the pot if I can't free it with a boat hook. To your question, did you sheet in the main so it was over the boat? This might allow the batten compression to align with the slides better.

To clarify, we often make valiant efforts to free a pot, including jumping in the water. But if I'm uncomfortable with the situation I just cut it (rocks nearby, strong breeze, etc).

[sabray]

Yep sheeted in but it was not coming down. Complete ham strung situation. Very frustrating. Thanks for the reply

[savoir]

Did you ease the vang ?

[FSMike]

sabray -
Does your full batten system have Battcars or similar, or are you using regular slides/slugs?