I'm planning to make several modifications to my Catalina 30 to make it easier to sail single-handed or when out with my first mate (who's just learning to sail). I already have a new jib furler and a mast-style mooring buoy. I'm planning to replace my jib sheet winches with self-tailers and add lazy-jacks (or "Easy-Jacks"). Does anybody have any other suggestions? Thanks.
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Auto Pilot
Self steering really eases the work load and makes you feel less "tied to the helm" underway. Ned and Tani Strain s/v Family Therapy 1995 h336 Chucago
Self steering really eases the work load and makes you feel less "tied to the helm" underway. Ned and Tani Strain s/v Family Therapy 1995 h336 Chucago
First things first...
If you single-hand a lot, or have a mate who likes to relax, I would recommend that you lead all lines back to the cockpit. I did that a few years ago and it makes single-handing much easier. It is not an expensive mod either. You can use line clutches or cleats to tie the lines off. The expenses are longer lines and line clutches, probably located on the cabintop. I plan on adding a tiller-pilot this season, but have gotten along w/o for several seasons. I guess your decision will depend on how deep your pocket is. Whether you go to the auto-pilot or not, having lines lead back to the cockpit makes sailing much more enjoyable for a single-hander. Tom
If you single-hand a lot, or have a mate who likes to relax, I would recommend that you lead all lines back to the cockpit. I did that a few years ago and it makes single-handing much easier. It is not an expensive mod either. You can use line clutches or cleats to tie the lines off. The expenses are longer lines and line clutches, probably located on the cabintop. I plan on adding a tiller-pilot this season, but have gotten along w/o for several seasons. I guess your decision will depend on how deep your pocket is. Whether you go to the auto-pilot or not, having lines lead back to the cockpit makes sailing much more enjoyable for a single-hander. Tom
Agree and disagree.
Agree with Ned, disagree with Tom(just this once
. Lines led back, for me at least, is expensive and more of a safety issue. So far I have not sailed in conditions so bad that I could not go forward. Lines, winches, and clutches are not inexpensive. Then there is the issue of turning blocks at the base of the mast. Still a worthwhile project but AFTER the autohelm. My Simrad WP30 is the best option on my 37-footer. My First Mate likes to be left alone with her sunning and reading. I can go to the mast and do anything needing done. The main goes up easily by hand with a couple turns of the winch to tighten the luff. As soon as you put that halyard through a turning block, then a cheek block, then a clutch you are going to want a $3000. electric winch. Just one old guy's opinion.
Agree with Ned, disagree with Tom(just this once
. Lines led back, for me at least, is expensive and more of a safety issue. So far I have not sailed in conditions so bad that I could not go forward. Lines, winches, and clutches are not inexpensive. Then there is the issue of turning blocks at the base of the mast. Still a worthwhile project but AFTER the autohelm. My Simrad WP30 is the best option on my 37-footer. My First Mate likes to be left alone with her sunning and reading. I can go to the mast and do anything needing done. The main goes up easily by hand with a couple turns of the winch to tighten the luff. As soon as you put that halyard through a turning block, then a cheek block, then a clutch you are going to want a $3000. electric winch. Just one old guy's opinion.
Mod Ideas back
Alastair I agree that the very best thing you can do FIRST is to get an autopilot. I would also suggest that instead of spending BIG BIG BIG boat units on self tailing winches, that you SAVE those big bucks and simply buy winchers. These fit over your existing winches, and make them self tailing. For about $24 (U.S.!). Sound like a good deal? You BET it is. You can buy these little things almost anywhere, any questions, go to www.westmarine.com and look them up. Also, use the archive search on this site to learn more. Save money, get to buy more rum and beer, and with the earlier responses, you can sail comfortably, save money and come out ahead. What a great holdiay gift!
Alastair I agree that the very best thing you can do FIRST is to get an autopilot. I would also suggest that instead of spending BIG BIG BIG boat units on self tailing winches, that you SAVE those big bucks and simply buy winchers. These fit over your existing winches, and make them self tailing. For about $24 (U.S.!). Sound like a good deal? You BET it is. You can buy these little things almost anywhere, any questions, go to www.westmarine.com and look them up. Also, use the archive search on this site to learn more. Save money, get to buy more rum and beer, and with the earlier responses, you can sail comfortably, save money and come out ahead. What a great holdiay gift!
Autopilot needed
unless you're really quick or lash the tiller. Some interesting tiller steering options in attached single handed site, but I'm looking for an electric autopilot. My wife is also usually in the sun and reading which leaves me free to play with the sails. Glenn WindWisp
unless you're really quick or lash the tiller. Some interesting tiller steering options in attached single handed site, but I'm looking for an electric autopilot. My wife is also usually in the sun and reading which leaves me free to play with the sails. Glenn WindWisp
My Vancouver winter modifications...
Hello, I Sika-flexed a few jam cleats onto my new tub in my condominium, along with an older Harken winch from my dinghy days... I ran a sheet in a continuous loop around the tub and up the walls with cheek and turning blocks, attaching them the same way... I then positioned my stereo so that I could bounce the remote signal off the mirror, to my CD stack of Irish Rovers, the Pogues, and some screechy Scots-woman who sings something about 'the shores of Tripoli'... What I do is then is I go to the bank, ask for a hundred in new 20's, go home sit in my tub, turn on the shower and slowly tear up the stack of twenties... I find this to be the best configuration for single handing in Vancouver in the off season... Hope this helps... The link below should help you along, or I can include some photo's if need be... SH.
Hello, I Sika-flexed a few jam cleats onto my new tub in my condominium, along with an older Harken winch from my dinghy days... I ran a sheet in a continuous loop around the tub and up the walls with cheek and turning blocks, attaching them the same way... I then positioned my stereo so that I could bounce the remote signal off the mirror, to my CD stack of Irish Rovers, the Pogues, and some screechy Scots-woman who sings something about 'the shores of Tripoli'... What I do is then is I go to the bank, ask for a hundred in new 20's, go home sit in my tub, turn on the shower and slowly tear up the stack of twenties... I find this to be the best configuration for single handing in Vancouver in the off season... Hope this helps... The link below should help you along, or I can include some photo's if need be... SH.
Ed has it right, in my opinion...
By far, the best thing I have done is to add the autopilot. Now, I find I am more likely to go out alone, sail and relax on the bow while under sail and look like I know what I'm doing all the time. Key phrase.. "look like I know". Anyway, I have truely enjoyed mine (WP30) and find that after a nice sail I have all the time in the world to secure sails, lines, etc. while the boat steers by autopilot back to the marina. What a wonderful toy. My wife says she likes going sailing more since I do not "require" her to do anything. Happy Times and Fair Winds to all... Happy New Year!
By far, the best thing I have done is to add the autopilot. Now, I find I am more likely to go out alone, sail and relax on the bow while under sail and look like I know what I'm doing all the time. Key phrase.. "look like I know". Anyway, I have truely enjoyed mine (WP30) and find that after a nice sail I have all the time in the world to secure sails, lines, etc. while the boat steers by autopilot back to the marina. What a wonderful toy. My wife says she likes going sailing more since I do not "require" her to do anything. Happy Times and Fair Winds to all... Happy New Year!
Ed, what lines lead back to the cockpit
on your boat? My 272 was commissioned with main sheet, main halyard, and mainsail reefing lines led to starboard from blocks at the foot of the mast. They are led through a triple line organizer to a triple Spinlock clutch on the cabintop. A standard #15 Barlow winch is mounted aft of the clutches to assist in tensioning the main halyard, adjusting the mainsheet, and reefing the main. When I brought the additional lines aft, I installed two Spinlock PX clutches and a cleat on the port side of the cabintop. I had the blocks and clevises on hand. The cleat is mounted outboard and is used to secure the topping lift. Next inboard is the outhaul which is led through a PX clutch, and to the inside is another PX clutch for the vang. The clutches and cleat cost about $60 and I had to buy new line for the topping lift, outhaul and vang. Total outlay was about $100. These lines do not require a winch to tension them. I am able to do almost all the line handling from the cockpit. Several years ago my sailmaker convinced me to eliminate the jiffy-reefing option which means that I have to go forward to attach the reefing hook before I can take up the reefing line at the clew. When I need a cunningham, it is a simple rig led through a block at the base of the mast to a cleat on the mast. I don't use it much. It may be that my 27 footer requires less brute strength to do the sail-handling chores, and this enabled me to make the upgrades with minimal outlay. I felt (and still feel) that leading lines back is the first step to take to make life simpler while single-handing. I have to admit that the cost and power consumption of a tiller-pilot carried a lot of weight in my decision-making process. I can see doing it the other way if the bucks are available. Would you agree that lines led aft and an autopilot together are the best solution? My belated Xmas present from my wife will be a new tiller pilot this coming season. I waffle between the Simrad and Raymarine models. Any advice there? Tom
on your boat? My 272 was commissioned with main sheet, main halyard, and mainsail reefing lines led to starboard from blocks at the foot of the mast. They are led through a triple line organizer to a triple Spinlock clutch on the cabintop. A standard #15 Barlow winch is mounted aft of the clutches to assist in tensioning the main halyard, adjusting the mainsheet, and reefing the main. When I brought the additional lines aft, I installed two Spinlock PX clutches and a cleat on the port side of the cabintop. I had the blocks and clevises on hand. The cleat is mounted outboard and is used to secure the topping lift. Next inboard is the outhaul which is led through a PX clutch, and to the inside is another PX clutch for the vang. The clutches and cleat cost about $60 and I had to buy new line for the topping lift, outhaul and vang. Total outlay was about $100. These lines do not require a winch to tension them. I am able to do almost all the line handling from the cockpit. Several years ago my sailmaker convinced me to eliminate the jiffy-reefing option which means that I have to go forward to attach the reefing hook before I can take up the reefing line at the clew. When I need a cunningham, it is a simple rig led through a block at the base of the mast to a cleat on the mast. I don't use it much. It may be that my 27 footer requires less brute strength to do the sail-handling chores, and this enabled me to make the upgrades with minimal outlay. I felt (and still feel) that leading lines back is the first step to take to make life simpler while single-handing. I have to admit that the cost and power consumption of a tiller-pilot carried a lot of weight in my decision-making process. I can see doing it the other way if the bucks are available. Would you agree that lines led aft and an autopilot together are the best solution? My belated Xmas present from my wife will be a new tiller pilot this coming season. I waffle between the Simrad and Raymarine models. Any advice there? Tom
Not sure Tom.
Not sure I agree that both a tillerpilot and lines led back are the best solution. My boat only had the mainsheet back to the cockpit. From the aft end of boom forward to the mast then down to a turning block. Then through a cheek block(a 1X deck organizer I guess) and back to a cabin winch. I felt I had no control of the main. I removed all of that in favor of new fiddles with a cam cleat at the traveler. I have all of the hardware to run four lines back, two 2X deck organizers and two 2X clutches and a used winch. But I really like my clean decks and cannot bring myself to install that hardware. For safety I would like to have the halyard and the reefing lines led back. I even go forward to trim the sheet on the staysail. It use to come back along the toerail and had way too much friction. So I remain uncommitted. I have no experience with tillerpilots. I can tell you that I have never had a problem with my Simrad WP30.
Not sure I agree that both a tillerpilot and lines led back are the best solution. My boat only had the mainsheet back to the cockpit. From the aft end of boom forward to the mast then down to a turning block. Then through a cheek block(a 1X deck organizer I guess) and back to a cabin winch. I felt I had no control of the main. I removed all of that in favor of new fiddles with a cam cleat at the traveler. I have all of the hardware to run four lines back, two 2X deck organizers and two 2X clutches and a used winch. But I really like my clean decks and cannot bring myself to install that hardware. For safety I would like to have the halyard and the reefing lines led back. I even go forward to trim the sheet on the staysail. It use to come back along the toerail and had way too much friction. So I remain uncommitted. I have no experience with tillerpilots. I can tell you that I have never had a problem with my Simrad WP30.
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