This afternoon, I came about as close to a blow over that you can have without it being a blowover. Scared me to death! Then, instead of letting the main sheet out to dump air out of the main sail, I just let go of the tiller... A REAL NO_NO!~~!~~! Back right of the boat went under for a second or two as I climbed up on the left side of the hull. Then the hull came slamming
back down and I had to fling myself back in the boat. Then it heeled over the other way on a hard tack and I just about got dumped again... Throwing this 240 lb, 6'1" body around like that ain't easy.
The poor couple that were following me were laughing so hard that I don't think they would have been able to save me.... I got steadied up and pointed the boat dead into the wind to get my wits back. They pulled up beside me and, through their tears, asked if I was alright. I said, "HELL NO!!!!". That got them laughing again, and crying. Then the seasoned old salt of a captain kindly let me know what I should have done, which was ease out the main sheet. I said, "NO SH*T, SHERMAN!!!".
I apologized for the language and tried to explain that, even though I KNEW WHAT to do, I froze and didn't know WHAT to do, so I said, "Here God, its all yours" and let go of the tiller. I don't think they heard me too well as they sailed off reaching for Kleenex as I reached for some toilet paper.
Dan Steill (d.steill-at-gte.net)