MOB Maneuvers

[Interim]

We spent an hour or so yesterday practicing MOB drills. While I think the figure 8 is a good way to get back to the victim, we found that heaving-to stops the boat within easy swimming distance (provided the victim is in good shape, other than being a bit wet).

My crew is good but not confident at the helm of our 26s, so I want to give her a simple maneuver to use in the event of a MOB. Are there other (better) options than heaving-to?

--interim

[Russ]

Smart to practice. You have also learned what technique works best for your boat/crew.

[dlandersson]

Ditto

Smart to practice. You have also learned what technique works best for your boat/crew.

[trswem]

My crew is good but not confident at the helm of our 26s, so I want to give her a simple maneuver to use in the event of a MOB. Are there other (better) options than heaving-to?

The nice thing about figure 8 is that you don't have to gybe. The quick stop method gets you turned around and back to your MOB a little faster, but you will need to gybe. We practice both, and usually if winds are light I'm mentally thinking I'll be using the quick stop. If winds are heavier and I don't necessarily want to gybe, then we'll plan on the figure 8. I've only taught my wife the figure 8 because I don't want her having to think about which option to use if I go in the drink.

Consider practicing MOBs with an actual crew overboard, of course only if you can do this safely. Both my kids have practiced "falling out" of the boat, and watching us sail away, turn around, and come back and get them. I didn't want them freaking out as we get our two or three boat lengths away. Now when I did this we were in a protected bay with no other boats, with my wife close by on a paddle board, kids were in life jackets, and we only did one at a time. Also, my eight year old has a habit of having his hat blown off so that's always some good unexpected practice