Coming about is something that requires technique. Doing it well will not 
reduce hull speed dramitically and you will pick up the wind again without losing 
distance as well. Practice makes perfect. My wife and I have it down to a 
science. I handle the tiller and she does all the real work. Placing an object 
over the forward cleat is like placing a bandaid on a sucking chest wound. Your 
problem is that you are not controlling the sheets properly......work on it.

Rummy