1967 Tempest single-handed
- Thread starter cbyl
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Haha, Kermit! If you want to singlehand a '67 Pontiac Tempest, better get James May on it: http://youtu.be/KzxuEOxYSLE
As for the boat, I'm not familiar with sailing a Tempest. What specifically about sailing the Tempest makes you think it's not a singlehanded boat?
For both of my boats, the single best thing I did to allow me to singlehand was to put a Wave Front Marine Tiller Clutch on. http://wavefrontmarine.com This allows me to keep the boat (mostly) heading on it's current course, while I jump about and tend to other things. Admittedly, moving around the boat changes its trim, and causes it to change course when the tiller is locked, but it allows enough time to go below and grab a drink, or binocs, or to go to the mast to drop a sail or two...
Brian
As for the boat, I'm not familiar with sailing a Tempest. What specifically about sailing the Tempest makes you think it's not a singlehanded boat?
For both of my boats, the single best thing I did to allow me to singlehand was to put a Wave Front Marine Tiller Clutch on. http://wavefrontmarine.com This allows me to keep the boat (mostly) heading on it's current course, while I jump about and tend to other things. Admittedly, moving around the boat changes its trim, and causes it to change course when the tiller is locked, but it allows enough time to go below and grab a drink, or binocs, or to go to the mast to drop a sail or two...
Brian
That is exactly what I was looking for (clutch not car) though Kermit's sentiments are duly noted. Thanks.
Oh, and personally, I HATE the Davis Tiller Tamer. It's a spinny knob to tighten and loosen the friction on the control line. Takes too much time to apply or release, reaching under the tiller to tighten or loosen the knob.
There's another "on/off" type of clutch, it uses an eccentric cam lever to press two pieces of metal plate together on the control line. I've seen it, and I've run across it on the interwebs before, but I can't remember what it's called. Looks well made, from bronze and stainless steel, and since it works just like my Tiller Clutch, I think I'd be happy with it, too. Price was roughly the same as the Tiller Clutch, as I recall...
There is also a great debate on halyards led aft on the cabin top, or kept cleated on the mast. I find that I'm still ok jumping all around the boat, so I'm not overly concerned at leaving the cockpit, and I can stand in my cabin reaching over the open hatch cover, to get at my mast cleats for hoisting. Plus, if I'm at my mast on top of the cabin, I'm in better position to pull the sails down once the halyards are uncleated. I've been using a downhaul line on the jib (hank-on jib) and sometimes it just seems like more of a hassle than it's worth. Just doesn't pull down easily enough... Roller furling with a Schaefer Snap-Furl or CDI would be nice. When that hank-on jib gets blown out, maybe I'll buy a furling system with a 135% genoa. Until then...
Brian
There's another "on/off" type of clutch, it uses an eccentric cam lever to press two pieces of metal plate together on the control line. I've seen it, and I've run across it on the interwebs before, but I can't remember what it's called. Looks well made, from bronze and stainless steel, and since it works just like my Tiller Clutch, I think I'd be happy with it, too. Price was roughly the same as the Tiller Clutch, as I recall...
There is also a great debate on halyards led aft on the cabin top, or kept cleated on the mast. I find that I'm still ok jumping all around the boat, so I'm not overly concerned at leaving the cockpit, and I can stand in my cabin reaching over the open hatch cover, to get at my mast cleats for hoisting. Plus, if I'm at my mast on top of the cabin, I'm in better position to pull the sails down once the halyards are uncleated. I've been using a downhaul line on the jib (hank-on jib) and sometimes it just seems like more of a hassle than it's worth. Just doesn't pull down easily enough... Roller furling with a Schaefer Snap-Furl or CDI would be nice. When that hank-on jib gets blown out, maybe I'll buy a furling system with a 135% genoa. Until then...
Brian
Many thanks for your thoughts. The Wave Marine clutch is definitely the way to go, what I've been looking for, didn't know what to call it. If I may ask, what boat are you sailing?
Brian brings up a good point. A tiller tamer perhaps, but why not go for an electronic autopilot? I've been using an Autohelm 1000 ST + for years and believe me, I won't sail without it.
Outside of that, if your boat has Gennie winches and tracks with cars on the combing, this indeed will make your boat easy to single hand.
Most genie winches mounted on the combings have a jam cleat directly behind the winch in which you can snub off the sheet by taking a turn on the cleat. Now,--- they're OK if you like them but for myself, I favor an open clam cleat behind each winch instead.
I picked up this idea from Small Boat Journal Magazine (out of publication) many years ago and I've been using it ever since. In fact I talked two of my friends into adopting this idea and they like it. It's the next best thing to a self tailing winch. It's fast and easy.
A good roller reefing furler is the next thing to have. I recommend this one highly.
Halyards led back to the cockpit? Absolutely not! They are more trouble than they're worth and don't let anyone tell you different.
Sorry Rich.
I know that you like them.
Step right up to the mast and do everything you need to do. If the weather looks like it will kick up, reef early and get her done.
Have your lines tied to your bow and stern cleats ready to go into action when you approach the T dock.
I use braid bow and stern lines that are just a couple of feet longer than my boat. I attach my bow line to the cleat and lead all the way back to my stern rail outside my lifeline stanchions, and I usually tie Highwayman's Hitch to the rail. http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/album.php?albumid=1918
Where I sail, the prevailing winds are SW as I run toward the club dock with just my mainsail. Then I reach a certain point through many practice runs where I can turn her toward the dock and up into the wind along side of it.
My boat handles like a small day sailer and has low freeboard. I can get away with stepping off her and on to the dock with my lines in my hands without tripping and breaking my neck. A guy with a larger boat my have some concerns with doing this and this is understandable. So use your own discretion on that one. I believe that in time as you become more and more familiar with your boat you will be able to do this if the need should ever arise.
Anyway, I think you get the idea of what I'm trying to convey to you. Always think ahead of time and have an alternative plan that you can go into just in case the first plan fails.
Joe
Outside of that, if your boat has Gennie winches and tracks with cars on the combing, this indeed will make your boat easy to single hand.
Most genie winches mounted on the combings have a jam cleat directly behind the winch in which you can snub off the sheet by taking a turn on the cleat. Now,--- they're OK if you like them but for myself, I favor an open clam cleat behind each winch instead.
I picked up this idea from Small Boat Journal Magazine (out of publication) many years ago and I've been using it ever since. In fact I talked two of my friends into adopting this idea and they like it. It's the next best thing to a self tailing winch. It's fast and easy.
A good roller reefing furler is the next thing to have. I recommend this one highly.
Halyards led back to the cockpit? Absolutely not! They are more trouble than they're worth and don't let anyone tell you different.
Sorry Rich.
I know that you like them. Step right up to the mast and do everything you need to do. If the weather looks like it will kick up, reef early and get her done.
Have your lines tied to your bow and stern cleats ready to go into action when you approach the T dock.
I use braid bow and stern lines that are just a couple of feet longer than my boat. I attach my bow line to the cleat and lead all the way back to my stern rail outside my lifeline stanchions, and I usually tie Highwayman's Hitch to the rail. http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/album.php?albumid=1918
Where I sail, the prevailing winds are SW as I run toward the club dock with just my mainsail. Then I reach a certain point through many practice runs where I can turn her toward the dock and up into the wind along side of it.
My boat handles like a small day sailer and has low freeboard. I can get away with stepping off her and on to the dock with my lines in my hands without tripping and breaking my neck. A guy with a larger boat my have some concerns with doing this and this is understandable. So use your own discretion on that one. I believe that in time as you become more and more familiar with your boat you will be able to do this if the need should ever arise.
Anyway, I think you get the idea of what I'm trying to convey to you. Always think ahead of time and have an alternative plan that you can go into just in case the first plan fails.
Joe
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Thanks to all for excellent information and great advice. After a VERY long hiatus from sailing, bought my O'Day in Jan 2012 to get back into it. It is definitely a small/simple enough boat to single-hand, just wasn't sure of the particulars. With your help I can now expand my sail time exponentially. Many thanks again.
It was my pleasure. I'm not an expert by any means. My wife "swallowed the anchor" many years ago and today I sail with my dog. Even when my wife cruised with me back then, she was never into sailing and I had to single hand my boat even back then because she was always reluctant to take the helm.
I can remember when I first started sailing I went to Newport RI and saw this skipper sail up to at dock in a J boat to let some people off and I said to myself, "boy I wish I could do that." I've practiced this for years and today I can do it. It just took practice.
I have my boat set up so that everything I need is within easy reach such as my furler control line, my telescopic boat hook my Gennie sheet clam cleats, my outboard, and my lazarette hatch. This hatch is on the Port side and my autopilot is on the Starboard side over the fuel compartment which I seldom need to open. A lot of times I need to get stuff out of the lazarette and I don't want anything it the way of it like an autopilot.
I've been doing mods on my boat just about every year with the idea of making everything on that boat easy to get at and easy to single hand. I have just as much fun doing the mods as I do sailing my boat sometimes.
Joe
I can remember when I first started sailing I went to Newport RI and saw this skipper sail up to at dock in a J boat to let some people off and I said to myself, "boy I wish I could do that." I've practiced this for years and today I can do it. It just took practice.
I have my boat set up so that everything I need is within easy reach such as my furler control line, my telescopic boat hook my Gennie sheet clam cleats, my outboard, and my lazarette hatch. This hatch is on the Port side and my autopilot is on the Starboard side over the fuel compartment which I seldom need to open. A lot of times I need to get stuff out of the lazarette and I don't want anything it the way of it like an autopilot.
I've been doing mods on my boat just about every year with the idea of making everything on that boat easy to get at and easy to single hand. I have just as much fun doing the mods as I do sailing my boat sometimes.
Joe
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