I sail a 23'' O''Day with a hanked
jib. When the wind picks up I often like to just drop the
jib and sail with the main. When I come into the harbor to pick up my mooring I also like to keep the main up in case the outboard stalls but I want the
jib down so I can see where I am going. Also it''s no fun having a wildly luffing
jib up. If I have crew I usually turn into a run or a broad reach an let someone go forward to pull pull the
jib down. What is the best way to do this when alone? Is it safe to tie down the tiller on a run and leave it untended while I go forward? Is it better to try a "Rod-Stop" with the boom out to leeward on a preventer. This, if I understand it properly, leaves the beam exposed to the waves and would permit considerable rolling. In a heave to position dropping the
jib while backed seems difficult. What is the best way to do this?