Dave.... you make a key point
If you have a self tacking jib and don't have a quick release system the jib will pull the boat off the wind relatively quickly and the boat will take off like a rocket.
How do you get there? swim under hull.... go forward and around the bow? go aft under the tramp... around the rudders and forward to the shroud... trap handle?
Do you have a quick release on your jib's clew? (and let it flog when you right the boat....) then reattach the sheets and off you go...
What does your quick release look like?
Final point.... Who needs to move their butt... you or your quicker and more nimble crew who can ride the boat up... climb over the beam and get to the rudders to park the boat ASAP?
I don't have a jib quick release on my boat and there isn't one on my skippers boat. I've seen quick release systems that use a snap shackle or simple S hook at the clew.
When I'm sailing on my skippers boat I can pretty much right the boat on my own and she just rolls up on deck as the boat comes up. I always have a plan B just in case something doesn't go as planned, which is for me to high tail it to the stern holding onto the righting line until I've got a firm grip on the foot strap. From there I pull myself forward until I can reach the skippers trap and I use it to help pull myself on the boat. Plan B is always in motion because the sooner I can get on the boat the sooner we are back to racing and I hate when she says... waiting on you grandpa. The quicker you're on the boat the less likely it's going to get away from you. It is something we practiced and I think it was time well spent.
