Got Knocked Down Today . . .

[Wyoming pirate]

Of all places in the Long Island Sound. We were headed west in the early am with one reef in the main and the 90% out while burying the rail from time to time and WHAM!!!! big long gust laid us down. The old girl headed up but not all the way to luffing, so I tried to get her bow into the wind to furl in the jib, but she stalled right there. Next thing I pointed her downwind and that worked fine as we flew away and I gained control again, reduced sail and all was good. There was very little wave action and if in larger seas were my actions correct? Had there been more seas (close reaching) What would be the best Action?

[nigel1]

When I needed to reef single handed, (not been knocked down), did like you did, I came off the wind, eased main and genoa, furled the genoa to where I wanted it, then slowly came back on to the wind, trimmimg the genoa sheet, but leaving the main out until it luffed, then reefed the main.
No sailing training for me, but it worked, I could be wrong.
But to my mind, if you came in to the wind, you lose control, unless you run up the engine of course. Your still left with lots of flogging sails coming into the wind

[markpierce]

Steer windward and release the sheets until the boat gains its "feet." Reduce sail or alter to a more favorable course if needed. Most of my knockdowns were during jibes where often a wave would start the episode. ... Self-bailing cockpits are a blessing.