Early on, in the stream. They were exhausted and likely hand steering as it sounds like few AP's would have been much if any help. But they have 4 reefs in their main and I think they had the smallest tied in.

On the other hand, Iain and Fiona on RUFFIAN had never hove to they told me. But that was before this leg so I'll be interested to hear how they handled(and are handliing), their continuing situation. I've yet to hear word from them.

I have no doubt every one in the rally knows how, if only in theory, as how could you not be aware of the maneuver if you've read even one "safety at sea" story?

But you make me wonder how many boats are ready to heave to. In those conditions, many of the boats may have been under tiny jib only. At that point, heaving to isn't much of any option in my mind. If my boat is any indicator, unless we have some power in the center of the boat i.e., heavily reefed main(trysail would be perfect but we don't carry one), she'll not ride with her bow aggressively into the wind. Fair weather heaving with some backed headsail wouldn't work at all on our boat once winds go into the high 20's to 30's and would result in a beam to ride.

I don't think(anyone please correct me if they have other experience) most boats will do anything except ride beam to the wind and steep seas(as were typically reported by many boats in the SDR), that would have been torture(as JAMMIN' seemed to endure with no rudder).

SERAFINA is smartly equipped with those 4 reefs, the last one, a trysail, perfect for heaving to. I wonder like you, how many boats were carrying a small reefed main ready to heave to, and how many didn't have the option so carried on with headsails and enough crew to do the hard work?