Most of the time my boat comes up just by pulling on the dolphin striker strap, did you uncleat your main and traveller? Recently replaced my permanent system under the boat with a couple of saddles and a rope with a hook in my life jacket pocket, I dont wrap the rope around my trap hook, there is a couple of knots in the rope to hold on to.

Sounds like you had some wind at Normanville, better then the driftathon at Adelaide on Saturday.

Some of the the trap harnesses have knives built in, hooked blades for cutting rope and webbing, I think could be handy in these situations.

Darryn