This is not Episode 2, just a brief interim practical problem (mostly for keelboaters but something everyone should know).
QUIZ: You're buzzing along in a stiff breeze when the mainsheet (or jib sheet) gets tangled around itself on the winch. This is called: 1 an overrun 2 an override 3 an overdraft 4 an overturn.
[I'm speaking from experience Saturday when this happened twice as @Matt Kramer ® and I sailed with friends on Campanile, our Catalina 30, in a stiff and gusty breeze.] The R in a circle shows that Matt is trademarked.
Here is a thing that is GOOD TO KNOW: You need to fix this as soon as possible to regain control. Tie a knot between the winch and the eye or fairlead that the sheet is running through. It's best to actually tie the knot AROUND the sheet, not simply dangle it over the sheet as decoration, although this might be very pretty. Then pull until there's some slack and unwind the tangle.
You should tie 1 a Farrimond Friction Hitch cuz you like the name 2 A Taut-line Hitch cuz it's the only knot you remember from Scouts 3 A Rolling Hitch though you can't remember the order 4 A Last-Ditch Hitch® cuz you know you're in trouble.*
Full marks if you know it's the Rolling Hitch, which lets you pull on the sheet, taking the load off it, and fix the Override. On Campanile I tied one with a spare 3/8" line and ran it across to the port winch. We cranked hard but nothing happened. Fortunately we had clubmate and "olde salte" @Rick Kosarchuk aboard and he suggested running the line aft rather than across. A rolling hitch if tied and dressed properly can pull in several directions.
We ran the line around an aft winch and that released some tension and we could untangle the sheet. Thanks, Rick!
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? WHAT IS THIS SILLY GUY REALLY TYING?
Here's a video: https://youtu.be/STsM2khBLU4?feature=shared
HERE'S HOW TO DO IT RIGHT. ATTN @ 0:18 AND LATER
https://youtu.be/f4mHoUNHoO0?feature=shared
*there's no such knot, I just made it up.
David Fraser 5/14/24