We were hugging the beach earlier, probably about half a mile out, sailing close-hauled into a nor-Easter. I said to Kelly that I didn’t feel comfortable so close in on a lee shore. We were getting pinched so I decided to start the engine and roll up the headie. As I put her into gear there was a loud thumping noise! I killed the engine immediately and we tacked offshore. About two miles out we dropped all the canvas and I went in with snorkeling gear and leatherman, assuming we’d picked up a fish trap buoy or such. I found… Nothing!

Started the engine and all normal… 

Anyway, used the opportunity to thread reef2 that I had taken out for inshore sailing. Better to be sure!