MOB Procedure
I took some classes in Berkeleyon J24's (very tender boats) with no instuments (aside from a compass) in 15-20 knots of wind in the SF Bay during the summer, and right in the slot that blows in wind throug the Golden Gate. Waves tended to be big enough to add to the excitement. Each class meeting required signficiant MOB practice. This was the procedure we learned.
After learning of the MOB and appointing a lookout/throwing a PFD:
1. Regardless of the point of sail as of the time of the MOB, we were immediately to get onto a beam reach and sail for approximately 4-5 boat lengths away from the MOB.
2. Then, we'd execute a 225 degree (approx) tack from a beam reach to a deep broad reach on the other tack, and obviously heading downwind from the MOB and letting the main all the way out for the new point of sail. The jib is allowed to get backwinded during the tack and isn't touched.
3. The helmsman then determines a time to head upwind on a close reach to the MOB. Once the turn is made to head upwind, the jib is let out completely (jib sheets under control so that they don't caught up in anything) and only the main is used to get a little speed while heading upwind to the MOB on a close reach.
4. The victim is then approached slowly and kept on the leeward side of the boat, the main is let out all the way (zero sail power, but there if needed), and the tiller is all the way to leeward to stall the boat.
Once that all gets done, then presumably we throw lines and start hauling the person aboard.
The trick to the above was gauging the approach angle to the MOB, and then controlling speed. Too fast, and we'd pass the MOB or tack accidentally when we put the tiller over to leeward to stall the boat. Too slow and we'd end up drifting away to leeward of the MOB. It absolutely had to be on a close reach, and speed control was obviously a function of the conditions.
As I've considered this method knowing there are others, I think I've apperciated that
a.) it doesn't require gybing, which could be nasty in chaotic conditions (people and the elements),
b.) it doesn't require motoring, which may not help anyway in certain conditions, at least on the J24's,
c.) the practice forced us to pay attention to the indicators of boat speed and point of sail, which we should be good at anyway, and
d.) it keeps the sails up for immediate use, if needed.
Obviously, lots of practice was needed. However, having the sails immediately available allowed us to simply try again, and we were back to the MOB within 1 or 2 minutes tops. The practice was valuable, and it became second nature to execute the maneuver. I like the idea of having someone hysterical on board...maybe I'll add that to my next set of MOB pratice.
Hope folks find this useful.
Ignacio