Owners die in sailing accident

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Originally Posted by Factor

There are a couple of boats on which I can and have. So whistle all you like. Having said that - Its only a couple of designs.

3 boats (inline & swept-back spreaders), 3 & 1/3 rtw - & NEVER had to alter course (much less resort to the engine!) to reef.
I would consider a boat, that needs the engine to turn into the wind to reef, at the least very inconvenient (the offwatch crew most certainly is not going to be able to sleep through that...!) & unsuitable for "bluewater" cruising of a woman/man crew, considering it actually dangerous.
Whoever comes up with maneuvres like "starting-the-engine-to-turn-into-the-wind-to-reef"? To me this is absolutely crazy & unbelievable, the only explanation is: people get used to all sorts of unseamanlike & dangerous practices & consider them "normal".
The incident in discussion here is a case in point, btw.
A better "seaman" than I, Guy Bernadin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Bernardin) , replied, when I asked him how he reefs or downs the huge mains on the Open 60s: "I just winch it down!"

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afterthought:
seamanship is also: choosing the right size boat...