Best theory I have heard was created by my own Mary Wells -- if you can't tie a good knot, tie a lot of them.

Never forget one time were delivering a double-ender from Norfolk to Key West. It was just after a big hurricane hit the Carolinas and in the Intracoastal was not available as many of the bridges were inoperable. So, we went outside at Cape Fear.
We were busting our chops and over powered, so Mary went to the bow, took down the jib and secured it. She did not want me forward as she felt she would not be able to retrieve me as easily as I could retrieve her. That and I am clumsy.
She was gone a long time, but upon her return she assured me it was secured.

We pulled into Fernandina and finally got some sleep. When we woke up the next day it took a couple of hours to untie the jib. What a job she did!
Rick