Sailing single-handed; what does the First Mate say?

rgranger · Oct 17, 2016

capta said:
All this talk of going overboard. I just don't get it. In over 50 years of being on the water almost continuously, I have NEVER had anybody go over the side on any boat I've owned or operated. NEVER. Not novices nor experienced sailors or seamen. NO ONE. And trust me, I've not spent those years as a fair weather sailor.
......

You are on a heavy 53' boat..... ghunkholling in the Chesapeake Bay on a Macgregor 22' is a lot different. The boat is light, moves a lot more radically, can violently knock down in a heartbeat . I bet the entire Mac 22' weighs less than your ballast and it has exactly 2.5" of deck between the shroud chain plates and the gunwale for your toes to cling to going forward. I've had one of my daughters slip going around the shrouds during a very calm 3kt breeze. And we had to go back for her. So far I've been lucky (or maybe prudent) and have not had an MOB during any turbulent sailing.

Jackdaw · Oct 17, 2016

Solo (or ANY) sailing is sort of like riding a motorcycle. You can be super good at it, and have all the best gear, but there is NO WAY you can remove all the risk. So the trick is to have some agreed-on parameters with your SO about when and where and how you solo sail. Things like max projected wind, spinnaker use, night sailing etc can all help keep everyone happy.

But at the end of the day, the risk is there, and I would not want it any other way. Everyone needs to understand that.

rardiH36 · Oct 17, 2016

Much response to this topic! Certainly of interest to me. As others have already responded: Maybe even just as much so when our first mates are with us, we are solo sailors.

A couple of months ago, I posted about my severely medically compromised spouse being upset because I was beginning to scale back her being on the boat out of my concern for her safety. One gust induced heel, or wake from a passing motor vessel, or a wave that most people would easily adjust to, and she instead might end up in the hospital with broken arms, legs, or hips, or multiples thereof.

Most respondents to my post suggested that I was being too conservative. That it was her choice. (Comment: A valid point and we are still sailing occasionally only on calmer days and only with the jib out. However: Although she logical knows the risks, she is stubbornly in denial. In real life, even as acknowledged by her MD's, if we had an incident, she could very likely be consigned to a convalescent home for several months in physical and emotional pain and from which she might never recover. And less importantly than the outcome on her, is the stress on me wanting to keep her company for many hours each day at a convalescent home and then worried about the miserable time she is having there every night alone. And later, attending to her recovery for several more months after she comes home after the convalescence. I/she have already been there before so we have a good idea the scenario.)

Anyway, back to the more generic question by the OP. With the exception of only a few passengers of mine that have previously owned boats, I have always felt much more confident and safe sailing solo than with others on board. Any "first mate" that isn't comfortable/competent with all aspects of sailboat operation should recognize this.

Sailing a boat is combination of acquired skill, a bit natural aptitude, interest, and reasonably frequent practice. Some people pick it up quickly. Others never. And certainly few "occasional" guests can take over in the case of an emergency. No way can a short safety overview/instruction at the berth suffice. Would sort of be like an airline that before each flight has a policy to call up several passengers from the cabin to instruct them on how to fly, navigate and land the 757 if the captain and co-pilot happen to both have a medical emergency.

The recount of people needing assistance to operate the TV/DVD remote was great!

Here's my similar analogy below. From "Procedure to Program Toyota Wireless FOB Remote Transmitters". (After several attempts I did mange to accomplish!) For a newbie on a sailboat, multiply the confusion of this instruction times 100 for jib control, main sheet control, dousing the sails, starting and using the engine, steering control, forward/reverse, using the VHF, points of sail, rules of the road, communicating with the Coast Guard GPS coordinates, disengaging the auto-pilot, uncertainties of wind velocity and direction and sea condition; and so on.
==================================================================
Procedure To Program Toyota Wireless Remote Transmitters:

Begin with: The driver's door open and unlocked. Key out of the ignition.
1. Insert and remove the key from the ignition switch 2 times within 5 seconds.
NOTE: Steps 2 and 3 should be performed within 40 seconds.
2. Close and open driver's door TWICE.
3. Insert the key into the ignition and remove it.
NOTE: Steps 4 - 6 should be performed within 40 seconds.
4. Close and open the driver's door twice.
5. Insert the key into the ignition.
6. Close the door.
NOTE: Steps 5 and 6 should be reversed for the following models ONLY (close door first, then insert key into ignition):
2000 - 2005 Celica
2001 - 2003 Prius
2001 - 2005 ECHO
2001 - 2005 RAV4
2003 - 2004 Avalon
7. Turn the ignition switch from "Lock" to "On" and back to "Lock" at about 1 second intervals to select the desired mode:

1 time for ADD mode.
2 times for REWRITE mode.
3 times for CONFIRMATION mode.
5 times for PROHIBITION mode.

8. Remove the key from the ignition.
9. To confirm your mode selection, the power locks will now cycle "lock" to "unlock" a number of times corresponding to your key cycles in step 7.
NOTE: If Confirmation or Prohibition modes have been selected, opening the door will complete the procedure.
10. For Add or Rewrite modes do the following within 40 seconds of Door
Procedure Lock confirmation:
A. Press both car transmitter Lock and Unlock buttons simultaneously between 1 and 1.5 seconds and release.
B. Within 3 seconds of step A, press the transmitter Lock button for more than 1 second and release.
If the keyless entry remote transmitter has been successfully programmed, the power locks will cycle "lock" to "unlock" once at this time.
If there are problems with the remote transmitter or the procedure up to this point, the locks will cycle twice. If this occurs, verify that you have received the correct transmitter, and then repeat the above procedure.
C. If multiple remotes are to be reprogrammed, repeat steps A and B.
11. Open the driver's door to conclude programming mode.

Gunni · Oct 17, 2016

Yes, as Jackdaw says, risk management. I solo sail the Chesapeake all the time (yesterday was one - perfect day!). I will not single-hand in an overnight because I don't trust myself to stay awake and the shipping traffic typically increases at night - you need to stay in the shipping channel to avoid the fish traps, and that means a watch. Beyond that if you know your limitations (skill, gear) and your boat, factor the risks and go if capable. You are on your own with the wife, mine trusts my risk management skills. Single-handing will definitely make you a better sailor. So there is that!

Scott T-Bird · Oct 17, 2016

It's a really good topic because it jarred me into the reality that I probably don't make enough effort to reassure Sue that I'm safe. The odd part for me is that I often feel like I make more blunders when she is on board than when I'm on my own. I think it may be that when I don't have the sense that I'm on my own, I don't plan as thoroughly and my mind is otherwise pre-occupied (she rattles me at times

).

Gunni · Oct 17, 2016

Scott; Ha, showtime! A crew interrogatory requires a ready answer, or a stern poker face! Bottom line you need to bring them all home safe, you included, and they need to believe that.

waterpirate · Oct 17, 2016

After 15 years of technical diving below 30 meters, the first mate is breathing easy on me single handing the snipe. I file a float plan, stick to it, and wear my pfd. After 15 years of paying the life insurance premium for that depth, my insurance guy laughed and said now that I am sailing how is he going to make a living? Be kind to your mate and the favor will be retuned.
Eric

sailorladyliz · Oct 17, 2016

Okay, granted I have promised my hubby that I would only sail in the bays around here unless someone else was with me or I was "buddy boating" with someone. I have promised him I would wear a PFD, watch the weather and be careful. He does not sail, doesn't like the sailboat other than the fact it gives me so pleasure. Every weekend I try to get out on the water at least one day and he encourages me. Got ta love a man like that.

Jacktar · Oct 17, 2016

Mine has no opinion, except since she is my ex A if I die she quits getting a piece of my retirement check and B who cares what she thinks.

capta · Oct 17, 2016

rgranger said:
You are on a heavy 53' boat..... ghunkholling in the Chesapeake Bay on a Macgregor 22' is a lot different. The boat is light, moves a lot more radically, can violently knock down in a heartbeat . I bet the entire Mac 22' weighs less than your ballast and it has exactly 2.5" of deck between the shroud chain plates and the gunwale for your toes to cling to going forward. I've had one of my daughters slip going around the shrouds during a very calm 3kt breeze. And we had to go back for her. So far I've been lucky (or maybe prudent) and have not had an MOB during any turbulent sailing.

The conditions I often sail in would probably equal out the differences between our vessels. Even when I was operating a 65' twin screw motor vessel for the US Navy in the gulfstream, standing by a mothership in gale force winds from the north, or retrieving thousand pound anchors on cable rodes in 1800 feet of water (as if we were an anchor buoy), not one person ever went over the side. Or crashing into the pylons of an oil rig on a supply boat in a storm to unload men and equipment. It need not happen.
Perhaps your daughter should have been sliding along on her bottom on the cabin top or something, to insure that she wouldn't fall overboard. It might have been a whole different experience if your engine was running and she was hit by the prop. An ounce of prevention beats any cure......

I just found this thru a link on here, so I guess I'm not alone in my views on these things:http://www.sailfeed.com/2015/10/to-wear-or-not-to-wear-thats-the-question/

Kings Gambit · Oct 17, 2016

IH82BL8 said:
Is your wife comfortable with you sailing single-handed? I'm particularly interested in hearing from folks on the Chesapeake Bay.

Thanks.

Just about every answer to such an open-ended question is a matter of what, when, & where. What are you sailing in, when are you doing it, and to what "destinations", etc. A 3 1/2-hr sail in daylight hours from Long Beach to Isthmus Cove or Hen Rock, Catalina Island, singled-handed on my Bavaria 38, where I fetch a mooring for the night, or even anchor, is no es problema for the "first mate." I've even made the 12-hr (90 n.mi.) day trip to San Diego Bay and back (different day) solo. Overnight solo would be a different matter for concern, however. Moreover, I don't think me first mate would like to see me take off from Ventura for a solo run to Moro Bay or even to Port San Luis, ca. 120 n.mi., 60 or so of it along a rockbound California coast-- typically a lee shore. She would probably insist on a my having crew, if she did not come along. Sailing solo around Tampa Bay was never an issue. So, it all depends. It's typically left up to me when to sail the boat to whatever destination(s), but we all like to see "common sense" applied.

capta · Oct 18, 2016

IH82BL8 said:
She also has conjured up the scenario of one of the lids falling overboard and being run over by another boat (obviously not while single-handing).

Let's add this question: Has anyone, while single-handing, had a situation arise where they wished crew aboard?

What's a "lid"?
As for wishing for a crew when single handing, for me it was every time, but I was offshore sailing and I was getting pretty tired.

jssailem · Oct 18, 2016

While sailing solo there always comes a time when having an assistant aboard would or could make the situation easier to deal with. Happened when I drove across country and wanted to know where I was. Back then we used maps. They were hell to drive with and unfold with out loosing sight of the road. But we coped and survived.
Solo sailing is a constant process of solving issues that would be easier with 4 hands then 2. Solo sailors solve these issues by thinking ahead, setting up the boat and equipment making solo sailing easier, and solving problems.

This gives me a sense of accomplishment. Independence. I like it. It is not for everyone.

Kings Gambit · Oct 18, 2016

IH82BL8 said:
Capta, I PM'd you.

All, this thread should not become a discussion on PFD's alone.

Gambit, here are some particulars about why I asked the question. I'm planning a two-week cruise on the CB next year. My wife will be out of town during that time. I asked the question because my wife is a worrier. She worries about things that are extremely unlikely to happen. "What if you have a heart attack or something?" She also has conjured up the scenario of one of the lids falling overboard and being run over by another boat (obviously not while single-handing). I've never even heard of this happening to anyone. What I'm trying accomplish is to build a basis for the position that single-handing is a common and widely accepted practice before I tell here my plan for next year.

Let's add this question: Has anyone, while single-handing, had a situation arise where they wished crew aboard?

So, may we assume that you and your wife do not sail together often or anchor out together often? Are you a new boater? I don't think the argument that "other people do it all the time so it's OK for me to do it as well" would be an effective one.

Another strategy might work out better. Namely, address her fears with a plan that allays them. For example, is a health issue a realistic one? Plan to get a physical, etc., to show that you're good to go on that one. Promise to put together a good "first aid" kit, etc. Stuff like that.

Gunni · Oct 18, 2016

IH82BL8 said:
Let's add this question: Has anyone, while single-handing, had a situation arise where they wished crew aboard?

One time I awoke in the harbor at St. Michaels to find that some fellow had decided to set the hook very close by, and the wind had piped up overnight. Being alone, my routine is to start the engine and have it idling in neutral while I hoist my anchor, and wash the mud off - it takes a while, and the potential for drifting down on said new buddy was a concern. So I called over, got his attention and made him an honorary crew member, standing by with fender and boat hook. Generally I think these things through and anchor well off from others, using my dink to get ashore if going ashore. If I am coming to a strange dock in challenging conditions I will typically call ahead on the VHF and ask for assistance tying up. Singlehanding is like chess, you have to think 3-5 moves ahead.

Kings Gambit · Oct 18, 2016

I think that's a good plan, but you also need to decide whether or not the boat is well enough rigged for single-handing over a protracted period. Does it have an autopilot and a roller-reefing headsail? Can you anchor and recover an anchor alone on the boat in strong wind? Do you have MOB/emergency equipment like a PLB or a VHF-DSC radio, etc.?

My first mate and I have been sailing together since 1988, and have owned 4 boats together, plus have done much chartering, etc., in many venues. So, SH is not a worry for her unless, perhaps, it appears I'm taking unusual risks, etc. Then, we'd have to work on how to reduce 'em. But to your other point, SH sailing is common. Refer you to the Pacific Single-Handed Sailing Association for example. Don't be put off by the fact that it's mostly race oriented--you can still learn something from their webpages. There may be a similar association in the Chesapeake; I don't know.
http://www.pssala.com/

Jackdaw · Oct 18, 2016

Life is a long class in risk management that we all eventually fail. It's just a question of when!

Siamese · Oct 18, 2016

Wife doesn't mind at all. Figures it's better than if I go with my girlfriends.

Sailing single-handed; what does the First Mate say?

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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