No worries, sorry if I'm thin skinned.

I was just lucky to start as a kid with some very experienced people, who taught me about things like sitting down when on the foredeck, ensuring you don't stand on sails (which can slide out from underneath you), eyeing sheets as if they were snakes about to bite (which they will do when flogging) and all that sort of stuff. One thing that seems to be really important is pre-planning things for a while until you get them down pat, and minimise movements. I went to hoist the assy a few weekends ago and it went up with an hourglass, which just proved that practise or planning is important, and that day I didn't plan and was out of practise. Ah well, it gave my wife some amusement.

I think there's a book about the practical tips of running bow that could be written; sadly there isn't one.

As noted, for the things you do with MB a furler is probably ideal.

Chris 249 said..

Sectorsteve said..

Chris 249 said..
If I thought I was risking life and limb when I went on the foredeck, I wouldn't go offshore. And when did the last person lose their life or a limb while changing a sail on the foredeck?

If and when we move to a long-range cruiser, it will probably have a roller furler, but there are people who have cruised for eons without them who are neither strange or broke. Here's a well-argued case;

www.morganscloud.com/2012/03/08/hank-on-sails/

I tried reading that article last night. I found it online but I think you have to be a member and pay.

I got into it, but I can't get into some of the other articles on that site. It seems that you may only have one or two chances to read before buying a subscription.

As noted, I'm not saying that there is an ideal way for you to go. I'm just noting some of the factors on one side of the equation.

I really liked the other article about the couple with the 2 boats. 30 for re for day sails with furler and the 45 footer with hanks, one forestay that shares two jibs. I imagine they have a stormy hanked on under the bigger jib. I've never done this. Hoping for a blow this week but from memory it's looking pretty mellow this week wind/swell wise. Still I need to go for a sail anyway so I'll just go... need to master the heave to If I can't do the sail swapping exercise due to lack of wind.