Alone again, naturally

[Al Collins]

I Lean

I single hand often because I don't have a crew. It's exciting and sometimes a little scary, especially with the winds gusty and unpredictable, as any lake sail can be. A puff can drop down from over the pines - sometimes almost dipping a lifeline before you can react to it. In the three years I've had the 26X she has been in the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Lanier with at least half of the time spent alone at the helm. There have been spiritual moments, but when the wind is right and I am fully consumed with the moment, those moments are the most righteous. Plus, if the wind is not right and I feel like movin' on my high thrust Yamaha 50...you know.

 

[Hans Rudolf Zürrer]

Wanted:Information MacGregor 65

Dear SirsThere are several Mac Gregor 65's on the Market and I would like to get in contact with an owner who is not a seller at this moment to get some more information on this boat type. The informations of the brokers are neither very helpful nor complete.I am living in Switzerland an because of that reason I should know a bit more before I fly from Europe to the US. Can you help me?my e-mail address: hr.zuerrer@swissonline.ch

 

[mary connaughton]

Is there anything better

A day of sailing alone is about as close to heaven as you can get. I love the quiet, the peacefullness, the sense of accomplishment when I finally get the mainsail up, and even more when I get the boat back in the slip without hitting anything!When I take my family, my husband plays the radio, my 15 year old son complains that he is bored, and my two year old daughter (well she's just everywhere). Plus it makes me nervous having them aboard since I'm still not an experienced sailor. Also, I they bring a lot of stuff when I have them aboard. Endless trips to the car to carry stuff, and then junk all over the cabin.When I'm alone, I try things out, let the boat heel more... read, sing out loud. I love my family dearly - but sailing is my personal time and recharges my batteries.

 

[Mark]

I'm a sailor when I solo

How I love to go out with freinds and family on my "restored" Venture 2-22. Sail camping- overnight in the Apostle Island with a bonfire and steaks on the grill, can it get better? As the captain, I become a more considerate person, learning how to adjust to my crew / guests on the water. I learn more about leadership and relationships when sailing with others than anywhere else. Yet alone, in either dead calm or rollers with spray, is where I learn to sail. Freya gets my full attention and she rewards me with zen like moments - flow, in the groove. Looking back at my season, the peak moments were soloing. Especially at night with a full moon or with heavy weather moving in. Soloing builds confidence, skill, and appreaciation for preparedness. I love it.

 

[Mark]

tips for soloing

These might help you: 1. sail slugs (vs. bolt ropes). 2. all lines leading back. 3. motoring in and out (set sail far out). 4. tiller tamer. 5. lots of drink holders. 6. VHF, GPS, and air horn within reach. 7. tiller extention. 8. pre-sail checklists. 9. soup in a thermos (or sandwich idea). 10. keeping a paddle in the cockpit when docking to fend off if needed. 11. anchor hanger. 12. one line reefing. 13. spinaker snuffer / chute. 14. jib downhaul led to cockpit. 15. emergency anchor in stern bench. 16. long docklines and many fenders. 17. "go as fast as you want to hit the dock" 18. "a place for everything..."19. taking a snack break to regroup / think after a mishap. Enjoy!

 

[Pops Landing]

#14 jib downhaul

Duluth MN!! I hope you know where your boots are. I have had problems rigging a jib downhaul. I seem to get a lot of binding. What size line do you you use for the downhaul, what material? Thanks.

 

[Carol Warren]

Together

My husband and I both prefer..peace and quiet at night (no radios, TV's etc), night sailing, overnighting ...any time we can spend on the boat. I'd like to try singlehanding..just to do it, but would be sorry Jim wasnt there to share it.

 

[Bart]

Wives don't go sailing

Wives don't go sailing, mistresses and girlfriends do.

 

[Ivana]

Female single hand sailor

I learned to single hand out of neccesity. I refused to let my 33.5 Hunter sit on the mooring so I figured out everything I needed to do, challenged myself each week by doing something new and built confidence until I was doing everything on my own. When I purchased my new Catalina 350 I set the boat up so I could handle it all by myself. If I could not handle something it was not put on my boat. It is always nicer to have crew but if I don't I don't let anything stop me from going sailing.

 

[tom]

My wife stopped my solo days

Used to sail solo a lot especially my laser and windsurfer. Sailing alone off the beach at Myrtle Beach, SC was great. I say alone but that was rarely the case. There were always sharks,dolphins,birds and turtles. Once I even hit a manta ray!!! Scared the crap out of me. I was about a mile offshore up on a plane and hiked out and suddenly came to an abrupt stop.. Then looked back and saw a dazed Manta. (it was a big ray 7-8' might have been an eagle). Another crap your pants moment was one day when there was little wind. I was lying back all relaxed about 1/2 mile off shore. A turtle surfaced right beside me an exhaled loudly. Scared me so much that I stood up!!!  Now I mostly sail with my wife and it is much more fun. She takes the helm, cooks fetches drinks etc. The last time we were coming across Mobile bay she fixed hot soup as we were getting hungry and cold. Before any women get upset it is a 50/50 relationship. She does do a little more cooking I always pull up the anchor and work on the engine.  Someday I would like to buy another small boat to single hand. Now sometimes I sea kayak alone which is fun but doesn't compare to sailing.