seeking advice on how others may be single handling their C30's. I have had problems getting around the wheel in the cockpit when tacking/jibing to release/winch the jib sheet due to the winches being mounted so far forward in the cockpit. I have an autopilot onboard but found it unreliable/difficult at slower speeds to maintain a heading while adjusting the sails. i have tried to steer on the backside of the wheel but still cannot hold the rudder steady while adjusting the sails. should i just ease the sheets prior to turning and letting them luff, then lock the wheel and adjust sails? I hope there is an easy solution, i found i enjoy sailing quite often (2-3 x a wk) but can't always find someone to join me.
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OK, so ive gotten some advice from another forum which says they have added another set of winches aft which I find extreme (but makes sense with the wheel in the way). Anyone else have advice??
OK, so ive gotten some advice from another forum which says they have added another set of winches aft which I find extreme (but makes sense with the wheel in the way). Anyone else have advice??
My advice....
you're not going to like my suggestion. But you need a reliable autopilot if you plan to single hand regularly. A good autopilot will tack the boat for you and keep it on course, making your singlehanding life a whole lot easier. You didn't give any details on the AP, but I would make it a priority to find the problem. Relocating the existing primary winches is a viable and low cost solutionm also.
I was going to suggest steering from the side. luff up a bit once you get on the new tack while you strip in the sheets by hand. If you're sitting on the side you can lock the wheel for a few moments while you use both hands to finish trimming with the winch.
you're not going to like my suggestion. But you need a reliable autopilot if you plan to single hand regularly. A good autopilot will tack the boat for you and keep it on course, making your singlehanding life a whole lot easier. You didn't give any details on the AP, but I would make it a priority to find the problem. Relocating the existing primary winches is a viable and low cost solutionm also.
I was going to suggest steering from the side. luff up a bit once you get on the new tack while you strip in the sheets by hand. If you're sitting on the side you can lock the wheel for a few moments while you use both hands to finish trimming with the winch.
I agree with Joe
I single hand my C-320 all the time, and I use my autopilot to tack. Even at slow speeds it does a good job of maintaining my heading while I adjust sails.
I single hand my C-320 all the time, and I use my autopilot to tack. Even at slow speeds it does a good job of maintaining my heading while I adjust sails.
Regardless of whether you have an AP or not
you should simply learn how to steer from forward of the binnacle. IMHO, relocating winches aft to make it "easier" for the helmsman to use the winches is a self defeating move, since once you do have crew, they aren't gonna be able to all fit back there to trim the jib sheets!
And have you seen what new and even used winches cost these days? With either the AP, the wheel lock (snugged but not tight) or free, I've learned to steer from forward of the wheel, which avoids all sorts of issues raised. Oh, I single hand a lot, and enjoy it. Try steering from there a few times and you'll get used to it.
you should simply learn how to steer from forward of the binnacle. IMHO, relocating winches aft to make it "easier" for the helmsman to use the winches is a self defeating move, since once you do have crew, they aren't gonna be able to all fit back there to trim the jib sheets!
And have you seen what new and even used winches cost these days? With either the AP, the wheel lock (snugged but not tight) or free, I've learned to steer from forward of the wheel, which avoids all sorts of issues raised. Oh, I single hand a lot, and enjoy it. Try steering from there a few times and you'll get used to it.Move the cleats
I sail my C30 solo aabout 99% of the time even when the wife is aboard. I installed a set of jam cleats aft of the original jib cleats. They are just about in line with the wheel. My 1977 C30 came with a set of blocks mounted aft (not sure what the original purpose was) but I run the jib sheets back to them, then forward around the winch and then back again to the new jam cleats. This config makes cleating and releasing the jib sheets very easy. Although I have a good reliable auto pilot I rarely use it when tacking.
I sail my C30 solo aabout 99% of the time even when the wife is aboard. I installed a set of jam cleats aft of the original jib cleats. They are just about in line with the wheel. My 1977 C30 came with a set of blocks mounted aft (not sure what the original purpose was) but I run the jib sheets back to them, then forward around the winch and then back again to the new jam cleats. This config makes cleating and releasing the jib sheets very easy. Although I have a good reliable auto pilot I rarely use it when tacking.
singlehanding
I used to singlehand my C-30 all the time, (current ride a Bene 40 and singlehand that, too). A previous poster mentioned steering from forward of the binnacle. That's what I did, and still do, even tho I have very good underdeck AP. Get yourself ready to tack; on the wind. Be forward of the binny, release the sheet but DON'T LET IT GO. Begin your turn, holding the sheet. Know how much you need to turn the wheel to tack, and turn it that much, no more. At the instant the wind comes to the other side, spin the sheet off the winch and begin taking up the slack on the soon-to-be leeward side. Let the wind blow the sail over, don't you pulll it. Take in as much sheet as you reasonably can, then begin cranking. Make helm adjustments only as necessary. Get the sheet trimmed. After you do it a couple of times it becomes easier and with practice you'll see it's not that hard. Sail fast, live slow.
I used to singlehand my C-30 all the time, (current ride a Bene 40 and singlehand that, too). A previous poster mentioned steering from forward of the binnacle. That's what I did, and still do, even tho I have very good underdeck AP. Get yourself ready to tack; on the wind. Be forward of the binny, release the sheet but DON'T LET IT GO. Begin your turn, holding the sheet. Know how much you need to turn the wheel to tack, and turn it that much, no more. At the instant the wind comes to the other side, spin the sheet off the winch and begin taking up the slack on the soon-to-be leeward side. Let the wind blow the sail over, don't you pulll it. Take in as much sheet as you reasonably can, then begin cranking. Make helm adjustments only as necessary. Get the sheet trimmed. After you do it a couple of times it becomes easier and with practice you'll see it's not that hard. Sail fast, live slow.
I agree with the consensus here. You need a descent auto pilot. It is a huge help. I single hand my boat all of the time and I have done extended cruises aboard her 14 days or more. It is simple to do and the boat feels like a toy to me. One other piece of advice is to reef early and plan any other tatical changes well in advance. I need to rig mine with jack lines for sailing big water in rough weather. Other than that the boat is very friendly to sail single handed.
moving the winches
I've had my C30 for 8 years, and most of my sailing has been single-handed. If you are simply out for a daysail in an area with little traffic, steering from in front of the binnacle and tacking the boat from there will be fine.
However, if you are interested in singlehanded racing, mounting a second set of winches farther aft or moving the original winches farther aft is, IMHO, the best path. Yes, a reliable autopilot is helpful (and allowed in most singlehanded competitions). But the autopilot's self-tacking feature requires that you set the angle of the turn you desire to make, then lock this into the unit's memory. You will not always want to make a 90 or 100 degree tack; the angle you want depends upon the point of sail you are on at the time. Besides, fumbling with the autopilot while you are attempting to handle the sheets and steer from forward of the binnacle is a hassle. I don't like doing it even when I'm not racing.
I purchased a second set of winches and mounted them farther aft. This is absolutely one of the very best upgrades I have made to the boat. In addition to use while singlehanding, they also can serve as spinnaker winches. Granted, this is a rather expensive upgrade.
Moving the original winches farther aft is a very good alternative option. In order for them to fit on the coaming, and for the winch handle to clear the stern pulpit, you will not be able to move them as far back as you might think. However, they will still be very easy to access from behind the wheel. Crew members would still have easy access to them.
I've had my C30 for 8 years, and most of my sailing has been single-handed. If you are simply out for a daysail in an area with little traffic, steering from in front of the binnacle and tacking the boat from there will be fine.
However, if you are interested in singlehanded racing, mounting a second set of winches farther aft or moving the original winches farther aft is, IMHO, the best path. Yes, a reliable autopilot is helpful (and allowed in most singlehanded competitions). But the autopilot's self-tacking feature requires that you set the angle of the turn you desire to make, then lock this into the unit's memory. You will not always want to make a 90 or 100 degree tack; the angle you want depends upon the point of sail you are on at the time. Besides, fumbling with the autopilot while you are attempting to handle the sheets and steer from forward of the binnacle is a hassle. I don't like doing it even when I'm not racing.
I purchased a second set of winches and mounted them farther aft. This is absolutely one of the very best upgrades I have made to the boat. In addition to use while singlehanding, they also can serve as spinnaker winches. Granted, this is a rather expensive upgrade.
Moving the original winches farther aft is a very good alternative option. In order for them to fit on the coaming, and for the winch handle to clear the stern pulpit, you will not be able to move them as far back as you might think. However, they will still be very easy to access from behind the wheel. Crew members would still have easy access to them.
thanks for the comments
thank you all for the comments. I have managed to sail close to a 100 miles now single handed using the technique of sitting forward of the wheel. letting the wind do most of the work bringing the jib over while in a turn has been the best advice. i have gotten to the point of hardly needing to grab the winch handle and put a few last turns on the winch due to better timing. thanks again (Joe R)
thank you all for the comments. I have managed to sail close to a 100 miles now single handed using the technique of sitting forward of the wheel. letting the wind do most of the work bringing the jib over while in a turn has been the best advice. i have gotten to the point of hardly needing to grab the winch handle and put a few last turns on the winch due to better timing. thanks again (Joe R)
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