I mostly sail solo. TheMightyHobie18 and viva 27. This is a subject that concerns me greatly. I've been dumped several times but luckly always with crew. When I'm solo these are some of the things I've tried.

1. a light bunge that will hold the helm over. no hands on the tiller the boat will round up or down. obviously there is a draw back there.

2. a big wave surfboard leash. with a quick release pin. draw back is it clutters the deck. You will be dragged. don't where the cuff on your foot you will drown.

3. spinlock harness system. v27, probally the safest cumbersome to move about the deck. i needed to rig "runners" lines port and star to clip into to get forward and aft.

4. In a jam. Heavy seas "Sea of Cortez" Tie your self to the boat useing a french bowline around you and your shoulders with a slip knot to the boat.

I know all of these have drawbacks. I'm very intersested in this conversation and ideas.

story: sorry "gary" we were out on the viva 27 ripping along about 15 kts under reacher. then spash no gary. by the time i got the reacher dowsed and the boat turn and back up wind to gary almost 15 min had gone by. I threw gary a line i got him to the side of the boat. A little bit of hypo had already set in and it very difficult to get back on the boat.

Many lessons were learned that day. Here's are a few of the main ones.

1. always dress for full imersion in the elements.
2. have a very well thought out plan.
3. be aware at how fast our boats really are. seconds mean a very long distance to back track to.

Lets all stay safe out there.