Spent some time alone this weekend as my wife was occupied. Saturday I went kayaking in Warrior River for several hours getting out just before dark. It was cool paddling at my own pace and going where I wanted. Sunday I went sailing. I had planned to just check the boat but the wind was good and the sky blue Temperatures up near 80. A tailwind made casting off difficult and I asked for help from a marina employee. Once out of the slip I motored for a while and then stopped and floated while I got ready to sail. Removing sail covers fenders etc. Then motored out of the cove into the main lake where it was a little gusty. The autopilot did it's trick as I went on deck to raise the main. Once the sails were up sailing on the lake was easy. Just more work handling the sheets alone. I planned to be back about dark and sailed until about 45 minutes from sunset and then went through the routine with the autopilot dropping sails hanging fenders. Timing was important as the wind died down a lot just before I attempted to dock. Actually I wouldn't have docked until the wind died. Tying up wasn't too bad as the wind had died so I just had to jump around a lot to secure the boat. It was a great day. Sailed as I wished where I wished as long as I wished with no witnesses to my screwups. The autopilot took over long enough for me to go potti or grab a snack. I am beginning to think that single handing is the way to go. How many out there single hand most of the time.. Advantages ,disadvantages and reasons. My wife has a tendency to want to talk family and work while we sail. Even worse religion. I think that this might have been the greatest thing about sailing Sunday. NO ONE Talking!!!!
- Status
singlehanded - almost
While the Wife often comes out on the weekend or an occasional early evening sail during the week, I am often singlehanding it as I happen to be one of 'those overpaid teachers', and have the summers off. With no autopilot but a tiller tamer which is not as effective, I have to be quick on any moves. Most of the rigging has been altered to facilitate this style of sailing and I rarely have to worry unless my 'passenger'- a neurotic shepherd/pitbull mix - gets tangled in the jib sheets or tries to chase other boats(I didn't say he was smart!). I sail where I please, anchor when I please, and return - well, you get the idea...
While the Wife often comes out on the weekend or an occasional early evening sail during the week, I am often singlehanding it as I happen to be one of 'those overpaid teachers', and have the summers off. With no autopilot but a tiller tamer which is not as effective, I have to be quick on any moves. Most of the rigging has been altered to facilitate this style of sailing and I rarely have to worry unless my 'passenger'- a neurotic shepherd/pitbull mix - gets tangled in the jib sheets or tries to chase other boats(I didn't say he was smart!). I sail where I please, anchor when I please, and return - well, you get the idea...
single
every sailor should be able to single-hand his boat. of course, this takes a LOT of practice, heh-heh. Seriously, single-handing is one of the greatest feats there is. you never need crew, you never have to be back at a certain time to accomodate crew, you can go where and when you want. I love it and do it frequently.
every sailor should be able to single-hand his boat. of course, this takes a LOT of practice, heh-heh. Seriously, single-handing is one of the greatest feats there is. you never need crew, you never have to be back at a certain time to accomodate crew, you can go where and when you want. I love it and do it frequently.
While sailing is something
...of a social sport and can be a lot of fun when other people come along, I also like to sail alone now and then (like to today! Finally warm here on the Chesapeake, winds blowing 15-20 out of the south, and some really sweet sailing!). Many times when another couple comes along for a sail, my wife reminds me that most other people don't really like to sail at more than a 25-deg heel and don't care for the lee rail being awash. I'm coming to understand this when I see their knuckles are white and their faces green... I guess I just like to sail -- alone or with others.
...of a social sport and can be a lot of fun when other people come along, I also like to sail alone now and then (like to today! Finally warm here on the Chesapeake, winds blowing 15-20 out of the south, and some really sweet sailing!). Many times when another couple comes along for a sail, my wife reminds me that most other people don't really like to sail at more than a 25-deg heel and don't care for the lee rail being awash. I'm coming to understand this when I see their knuckles are white and their faces green... I guess I just like to sail -- alone or with others.
I bought my Pearson 30 on ebay last spring
and didn't get it into the water until the end of last July. It wasn't until the winter that I got up the courage to single hand. What took me so long to muster the courage was the fact that my slip at the time consisted of pilings that I had to grab when docking. Golly, it was a hassle whenever there was even the slightest breeze. My new slip is on Joe Wheeler Lake in north AL. It has no pilings and docking is a breeze. I now do most of my sailing single handed and I love it. My new tiller pilot is configured for a wireless remote that I wear on a lanyard around my neck. This makes single handing especially fun for me since I can steer the boat from anywhere on board. However, I am still working on getting the tiller pilot to work with an NMEA network. I sent the tiller pilot to Raymarine for them to verify the integrity of the unit. They shipped it out on Friday and I should have it soon. It will be interesting to find out what they did. Enjoy the single-handing; it is truly one of sweeter pleasures in life.
and didn't get it into the water until the end of last July. It wasn't until the winter that I got up the courage to single hand. What took me so long to muster the courage was the fact that my slip at the time consisted of pilings that I had to grab when docking. Golly, it was a hassle whenever there was even the slightest breeze. My new slip is on Joe Wheeler Lake in north AL. It has no pilings and docking is a breeze. I now do most of my sailing single handed and I love it. My new tiller pilot is configured for a wireless remote that I wear on a lanyard around my neck. This makes single handing especially fun for me since I can steer the boat from anywhere on board. However, I am still working on getting the tiller pilot to work with an NMEA network. I sent the tiller pilot to Raymarine for them to verify the integrity of the unit. They shipped it out on Friday and I should have it soon. It will be interesting to find out what they did. Enjoy the single-handing; it is truly one of sweeter pleasures in life.
99.99% Of The Time
Tom, I bought my 1983 H34 in 2001. I'm married with five kids and so I figured I needed the size boat I purchased. Wrong! My wife has been on board three times and none of my kids (now ages 15 to 26) have been on board more than five or six times. And that's in six seasons where I get out at least three or four times a month (always during the week) for eight months of the year. I guess I didn't do a very good job guaging the families interest. Then I got tired of asking friends because of all the times they canceled out. In the very first year of ownership (2001) it was clear that I was either going to learn how to do this sailing thing solo or sell the boat. So I went for it and through all the jitters and all the mistakes I can say I'm no expert but I'm a lot better than when I started and a lot more confident. Most times I go out I overnight on the hook. I try to get a few two nighters in during the season with one long trip as well. I do it almost all solo. I try to keep it simple too. I have auto pilot, roller furling headsail, a small Garmin chartplotter and a remote mic VHF at the helm, a depth finder, and all lines including a double reefing main lead right into the cockpit. I bought a 24" wheel and put the 42" one in the garage. Much easier to get around the cockpit with the smaller helm. I've worked on or rebuilt many of the systems in the boat so have learned a lot since I bought her. I'm not into "fast" as the name of my boat implies so I don't keep the rail in the water for long periods of time. I own a very busy business that is in a very competitive industry so when I get away I need to relax. A night on the hook after a great day sailing, or a night in Annapolis or Baltimore while on a mooring or in a slip in the harbor just can't be beat, no matter what the weather. I must admit that I'd certainly like to have my kids and wife enjoy sailing as much as I do but it may never happen. I'm lucky I can sail during the week and really lucky my wife understands my passion for the sport. Joe Mullee s/v TaknMyTime 1983 H34 #170
Tom, I bought my 1983 H34 in 2001. I'm married with five kids and so I figured I needed the size boat I purchased. Wrong! My wife has been on board three times and none of my kids (now ages 15 to 26) have been on board more than five or six times. And that's in six seasons where I get out at least three or four times a month (always during the week) for eight months of the year. I guess I didn't do a very good job guaging the families interest. Then I got tired of asking friends because of all the times they canceled out. In the very first year of ownership (2001) it was clear that I was either going to learn how to do this sailing thing solo or sell the boat. So I went for it and through all the jitters and all the mistakes I can say I'm no expert but I'm a lot better than when I started and a lot more confident. Most times I go out I overnight on the hook. I try to get a few two nighters in during the season with one long trip as well. I do it almost all solo. I try to keep it simple too. I have auto pilot, roller furling headsail, a small Garmin chartplotter and a remote mic VHF at the helm, a depth finder, and all lines including a double reefing main lead right into the cockpit. I bought a 24" wheel and put the 42" one in the garage. Much easier to get around the cockpit with the smaller helm. I've worked on or rebuilt many of the systems in the boat so have learned a lot since I bought her. I'm not into "fast" as the name of my boat implies so I don't keep the rail in the water for long periods of time. I own a very busy business that is in a very competitive industry so when I get away I need to relax. A night on the hook after a great day sailing, or a night in Annapolis or Baltimore while on a mooring or in a slip in the harbor just can't be beat, no matter what the weather. I must admit that I'd certainly like to have my kids and wife enjoy sailing as much as I do but it may never happen. I'm lucky I can sail during the week and really lucky my wife understands my passion for the sport. Joe Mullee s/v TaknMyTime 1983 H34 #170
Alone, but not lonely.
Love my Beneteau 331. Been sailing her single-handed on the Chesapeake for three seasons. Solitude of a cove, thrill of a heel, anxiety of new waters, wouldn't trade this for all the company in the world. When I feel the need for company, I invite my wife, a friend, or another couple, but I don't often feel that need. Instead, I read, read, read, listen to music, surf the net, watch the Orioles, or throw back a couple brews. All the while, I'm planning my solo circumnavigation. Family and friends will join me at locales around the globe. Working the sails and sheets keeps me fit and vigorous. I love it.
Love my Beneteau 331. Been sailing her single-handed on the Chesapeake for three seasons. Solitude of a cove, thrill of a heel, anxiety of new waters, wouldn't trade this for all the company in the world. When I feel the need for company, I invite my wife, a friend, or another couple, but I don't often feel that need. Instead, I read, read, read, listen to music, surf the net, watch the Orioles, or throw back a couple brews. All the while, I'm planning my solo circumnavigation. Family and friends will join me at locales around the globe. Working the sails and sheets keeps me fit and vigorous. I love it.
Alone
I sail alone about 95% of the time. I enjoy it and am happy, the family is happy (don't ask them any more), the friends are happy (don't ask them any more)...everybody is happy! I eat, sail, sleep, work on the boat, do what I want and go where ever and when ever I want. Doesn't get any better than that!
I sail alone about 95% of the time. I enjoy it and am happy, the family is happy (don't ask them any more), the friends are happy (don't ask them any more)...everybody is happy! I eat, sail, sleep, work on the boat, do what I want and go where ever and when ever I want. Doesn't get any better than that!
Single Handing
Being single I single hand most of the time. Doesn't bother me in the least. I do have friends, girlfriend, etc. aboard from time to time, but even then, I am basically single handing.
Being single I single hand most of the time. Doesn't bother me in the least. I do have friends, girlfriend, etc. aboard from time to time, but even then, I am basically single handing.
I single hand and have learned to love it...
Single handing was one of my main goals when I purchased my MAC25. Same exact boat as one of the greatest skippers to sail one that I personally known. Personal achievements may seem small at first glance, in that they don't make the front page of the Times. But when a friend 20 years your senior trailors and rigs a MAC25 by himself and then singlehands it like it was nothing, you tend to believe that you yourself are capable of things, quite a level higher than you ever dreamed possible. Funny thing. He always admired me and I could tell easily because it was my education and my title and little else. But yet to him, I was an oracle of magic, an alchemist of answers to all things great and small. Someone, although younger, but yet a great man to look up to. Hmmm ... I really wonder if he knew how much I looked up to him ... and while I singlehand my boat, I am sure he smiles down on me with that knowledge in common. Sail on Joe Moss your bud, Tom
Single handing was one of my main goals when I purchased my MAC25. Same exact boat as one of the greatest skippers to sail one that I personally known. Personal achievements may seem small at first glance, in that they don't make the front page of the Times. But when a friend 20 years your senior trailors and rigs a MAC25 by himself and then singlehands it like it was nothing, you tend to believe that you yourself are capable of things, quite a level higher than you ever dreamed possible. Funny thing. He always admired me and I could tell easily because it was my education and my title and little else. But yet to him, I was an oracle of magic, an alchemist of answers to all things great and small. Someone, although younger, but yet a great man to look up to. Hmmm ... I really wonder if he knew how much I looked up to him ... and while I singlehand my boat, I am sure he smiles down on me with that knowledge in common. Sail on Joe Moss your bud, Tom
1985 ofday anniversary 26 ftr
I too sail almost exclusively solo, 3 kids who have not too much interest except perhaps 1x a year. I have a son who is in sea scouts but as he says it ain't the same w/out his friends,so I invite them too. Always an excuse. I too am single so the occasional sail with a woman friend is nice.Some friends do come along but I am very spur of the moment as I live 2 minutes from the boat and look out the window and check the wind if it is there I go. I also have a "partner" who used to sail with me but she really expected to be able to do it all by herself which if she sailed more would gain the experience and the knowledge.Maybe I'll get her out there this year,we always have a good time together and it is nice to take a break and just sit on the bow and relax. I really look forward to the season as I enjoy the serenity of being out there whether alone or with company. Sailing and the work that accompanies it is great exercise and even better for the head. Sometimes I'll kayak to the boat and just go for a swim and check the lines and go back home. Thge kayak ride is about a mile 1 way so I get some exercise there and a swim to cool off.I guess I was forced into the single handed thing as I was paying all this money to let the boat sit in the mooring and no one was willing to go,so I went anyway. When the kids were younger I would only go for 2 to 3 hours and then with some fears of what would happen at home.Now I'm gone ,See ya later .
I too sail almost exclusively solo, 3 kids who have not too much interest except perhaps 1x a year. I have a son who is in sea scouts but as he says it ain't the same w/out his friends,so I invite them too. Always an excuse. I too am single so the occasional sail with a woman friend is nice.Some friends do come along but I am very spur of the moment as I live 2 minutes from the boat and look out the window and check the wind if it is there I go. I also have a "partner" who used to sail with me but she really expected to be able to do it all by herself which if she sailed more would gain the experience and the knowledge.Maybe I'll get her out there this year,we always have a good time together and it is nice to take a break and just sit on the bow and relax. I really look forward to the season as I enjoy the serenity of being out there whether alone or with company. Sailing and the work that accompanies it is great exercise and even better for the head. Sometimes I'll kayak to the boat and just go for a swim and check the lines and go back home. Thge kayak ride is about a mile 1 way so I get some exercise there and a swim to cool off.I guess I was forced into the single handed thing as I was paying all this money to let the boat sit in the mooring and no one was willing to go,so I went anyway. When the kids were younger I would only go for 2 to 3 hours and then with some fears of what would happen at home.Now I'm gone ,See ya later .
Allways just me myself and I
When I got my first sail boat a 24 Bristol with a hank on jib I found my self doing every thing except holding the wheel when I went forward to raise the main and jib, but one day I decided to try it alone so I set the brake and tied the wheel while I went forward and that seemed to work and I was happy that I could do it and started to look into a roller furling and bringing the halyards to the cockpit. Ended up selling the boat before doing any improvments and buying a 32 O'Day that from day one I had to single hand cause the wife gave birth to our daughter Elizabeth and had her hands full all the time,the boat came with roller furling and I set up the main halyard into the cockpit so I never have to leave the cockpit and I set all my dock lines up so as I enter the slip I grab the spring lines and throw them onto the main winch's and now I have brakes and I just leave the engine in gear while I finish setting the rest of the dock lines. An auto pilot is on my wish list and maybe before my July trip I'll get one which will make single handling much easier. BTW I stop at the boat every day on the way home and some days I'll just take her out for a quick spin before dinner
When I got my first sail boat a 24 Bristol with a hank on jib I found my self doing every thing except holding the wheel when I went forward to raise the main and jib, but one day I decided to try it alone so I set the brake and tied the wheel while I went forward and that seemed to work and I was happy that I could do it and started to look into a roller furling and bringing the halyards to the cockpit. Ended up selling the boat before doing any improvments and buying a 32 O'Day that from day one I had to single hand cause the wife gave birth to our daughter Elizabeth and had her hands full all the time,the boat came with roller furling and I set up the main halyard into the cockpit so I never have to leave the cockpit and I set all my dock lines up so as I enter the slip I grab the spring lines and throw them onto the main winch's and now I have brakes and I just leave the engine in gear while I finish setting the rest of the dock lines. An auto pilot is on my wish list and maybe before my July trip I'll get one which will make single handling much easier. BTW I stop at the boat every day on the way home and some days I'll just take her out for a quick spin before dinner
Sailing alone....
Wow, refreshing commentary from some new, or rarely heard from, voices. I'm enjoying everyone's perspective. Tom, I love singlehanding my boat. I felt liberated the first time I got out of the slip and into the big water by myself. Since that time 10 years ago I have come to practice the following safety procedures. first, I always wear my harness, when singlehanding, and I always clip on... especially if I have to leave the cockpit and especially if the autopilot is engaged. second, auto pilots are a great tool of the single hander... but... be careful. If you have to go forward it may be wiser to Heave To, that way, if you fall off, the boat won't sail away without you, or drag you through the water at 5 knots. The main, number one rule is: DO NOT GET SEPARATED FROM THE BOAT! third, get the boat ready for sailing as much as you can at the dock. I remove all canvas and raise the mainsail while I'm still in the slip if conditions allow. I put extra water, hand held VHF, lotion, sweater, and a snack in a cockpit locker so I don't have to rummage around in the cabin. I have a small can to pee in rather than going below. Finally, rig your boat to make it easier to single hand. There's lots of ideas on this... lines led aft, remote for the autopilot, winches close to the helm, etc. I have hank on headsails and I've rigged a simple jib downhaul that allows me to douse the jib on any point of sail. It's very handy. When returning to the marina I find a quiet spot where I can turn into the wind and let the boat drift while I drop the main. I'll tie it up temporarily with a few stops then re pack it once I'm secure in the slip. I can drop the main and strap it to the boom in about 20 seconds. Sail safe, sail smart and have fun. Free at last, free at last......
Wow, refreshing commentary from some new, or rarely heard from, voices. I'm enjoying everyone's perspective. Tom, I love singlehanding my boat. I felt liberated the first time I got out of the slip and into the big water by myself. Since that time 10 years ago I have come to practice the following safety procedures. first, I always wear my harness, when singlehanding, and I always clip on... especially if I have to leave the cockpit and especially if the autopilot is engaged. second, auto pilots are a great tool of the single hander... but... be careful. If you have to go forward it may be wiser to Heave To, that way, if you fall off, the boat won't sail away without you, or drag you through the water at 5 knots. The main, number one rule is: DO NOT GET SEPARATED FROM THE BOAT! third, get the boat ready for sailing as much as you can at the dock. I remove all canvas and raise the mainsail while I'm still in the slip if conditions allow. I put extra water, hand held VHF, lotion, sweater, and a snack in a cockpit locker so I don't have to rummage around in the cabin. I have a small can to pee in rather than going below. Finally, rig your boat to make it easier to single hand. There's lots of ideas on this... lines led aft, remote for the autopilot, winches close to the helm, etc. I have hank on headsails and I've rigged a simple jib downhaul that allows me to douse the jib on any point of sail. It's very handy. When returning to the marina I find a quiet spot where I can turn into the wind and let the boat drift while I drop the main. I'll tie it up temporarily with a few stops then re pack it once I'm secure in the slip. I can drop the main and strap it to the boom in about 20 seconds. Sail safe, sail smart and have fun. Free at last, free at last......
Docking Single Handed
Interesting responses. I basically sail the boat singlehanded everytime I go out as the admiral's not much interested. However, I sometimes have trouble docking my 35.5 with help, so I'd be interested in hearing any words of wisdom about singlehanded docking.
Interesting responses. I basically sail the boat singlehanded everytime I go out as the admiral's not much interested. However, I sometimes have trouble docking my 35.5 with help, so I'd be interested in hearing any words of wisdom about singlehanded docking.
Worried about Single Handed Docking too
Sunday was pretty windy not enough to reef but almost enough to bury the rail which is hard to do on my Pearson 323. My battle plan was to stay out until near dark and hope that the wind died. I started in once but the wind came back up so I went back across the lake a couple more times to kill another 30 minutes or so. Finally it was getting close to dark (40 minutes) so I dropped sail and motored to the dock. There was another sailboat that had engine trouble so I towed them the last 150 yds to their dock. The woman at the helm was good I let her go and she coasted almost perfectly into her slip. Maybe helping another sailer was good for my Karma or I just lucked out but the wind went almost calm and I docked easily. My plan B was to use the Marina's transient dock to tie up until the wind died and plan C was to drop anchor near the marina and wait for the wind to die. I didn't single hand when we were at Panama city because of the pilings. Even with my wife it was hard to get tied up to the pilings especially if it was windy. I may get a smaller boat and rig it for single handing. I'd like to be able to lock through Wheeler Dam and beyond single handed. I think that with large fenders I might be able to lock through alone. My main concern is that the boat often rocks and the spreaders have came very close to hitting the lock's walls. Larger fenders might solve that problem.
Sunday was pretty windy not enough to reef but almost enough to bury the rail which is hard to do on my Pearson 323. My battle plan was to stay out until near dark and hope that the wind died. I started in once but the wind came back up so I went back across the lake a couple more times to kill another 30 minutes or so. Finally it was getting close to dark (40 minutes) so I dropped sail and motored to the dock. There was another sailboat that had engine trouble so I towed them the last 150 yds to their dock. The woman at the helm was good I let her go and she coasted almost perfectly into her slip. Maybe helping another sailer was good for my Karma or I just lucked out but the wind went almost calm and I docked easily. My plan B was to use the Marina's transient dock to tie up until the wind died and plan C was to drop anchor near the marina and wait for the wind to die. I didn't single hand when we were at Panama city because of the pilings. Even with my wife it was hard to get tied up to the pilings especially if it was windy. I may get a smaller boat and rig it for single handing. I'd like to be able to lock through Wheeler Dam and beyond single handed. I think that with large fenders I might be able to lock through alone. My main concern is that the boat often rocks and the spreaders have came very close to hitting the lock's walls. Larger fenders might solve that problem.
Docking single handed...
... is mostly a matter of forethought, planning, and most importantly, practice. Pick a day during the week when your marina is not busy and the winds are relatively calm and practice getting in and out of your slip. It is important to have the right size slip, too. If its really a tight fit, it will be that much more difficult. Also, I "outfit" my slip for single handing the boat back into it. I have a fixed slip with pilings fore and aft and a finger pier on one side. I've screwed some of that long rubber dock protecter material to the aft pilings (I always go in bow first). I've also hung some really big fenders on the side of the finger pier. But the most important docking aid I use are two shortish lines that hang on the aft pilings. These two lines have loops in their ends that, as soon as I enter the slip, I can grab one or both and drop them over a midship horn cleat. These lines are pre-set to only allow the boat to go a certain distance into the slip before they stop the boat, a few feet short of the dock. I usually drop one over a cleat while the boat is still moving slowly forward. I then go forward and wait for the boat to stop and slowly drift over to the finger pier where I can grab a dockline. Set your slip up anyway it makes sense for you and then just practice a bit. At first, take along a crew member but tell him/her not to help unless it looks like something really bad might happen. With some practice and some slip aids, you'll soon feel quite comfortable coming back in alone.
... is mostly a matter of forethought, planning, and most importantly, practice. Pick a day during the week when your marina is not busy and the winds are relatively calm and practice getting in and out of your slip. It is important to have the right size slip, too. If its really a tight fit, it will be that much more difficult. Also, I "outfit" my slip for single handing the boat back into it. I have a fixed slip with pilings fore and aft and a finger pier on one side. I've screwed some of that long rubber dock protecter material to the aft pilings (I always go in bow first). I've also hung some really big fenders on the side of the finger pier. But the most important docking aid I use are two shortish lines that hang on the aft pilings. These two lines have loops in their ends that, as soon as I enter the slip, I can grab one or both and drop them over a midship horn cleat. These lines are pre-set to only allow the boat to go a certain distance into the slip before they stop the boat, a few feet short of the dock. I usually drop one over a cleat while the boat is still moving slowly forward. I then go forward and wait for the boat to stop and slowly drift over to the finger pier where I can grab a dockline. Set your slip up anyway it makes sense for you and then just practice a bit. At first, take along a crew member but tell him/her not to help unless it looks like something really bad might happen. With some practice and some slip aids, you'll soon feel quite comfortable coming back in alone.
I started single handing my kayak
Don't laugh it takes a lot of the same planning and techniques that single handed sailing takes. That is especially true if you also sail your kayak. It's about getting everything set up in advance. Look at the deck of a traditional Inuit kayak sometime with all the tools in the perfect location. The things I learned in the seat of the kayak serve me well now many years later as I take out my C350 alone. As most of you have observed, going out is easy, being underway and sailing is easy. The trick is in docking. When I come in to a slip at a new or difficult location. I fender up both sides of the boat, rig bow and stern lines on both sides and have a spring line off the center cleat that is Plan A. The spring line is the key. It can be pre-rigged to pick up at your home port of course, but it can also be placed on the appropriate cleat or piling with a long boat pole as you motor in to the slip or even as you go past the end of a finger pier to help you turn in. After it is placed, you can slowly brig the boat alongside the dock using a combination of forward thrust with right rudder and reverse prop walk. On my boat this works much better on port side due to prop walk direction. Much has been written about warping in and off a dock with lines, prop walk and spring lines in this forum and elsewhere. Those are all needed skills for the single hander ande they all require some practice.
Don't laugh it takes a lot of the same planning and techniques that single handed sailing takes. That is especially true if you also sail your kayak. It's about getting everything set up in advance. Look at the deck of a traditional Inuit kayak sometime with all the tools in the perfect location. The things I learned in the seat of the kayak serve me well now many years later as I take out my C350 alone. As most of you have observed, going out is easy, being underway and sailing is easy. The trick is in docking. When I come in to a slip at a new or difficult location. I fender up both sides of the boat, rig bow and stern lines on both sides and have a spring line off the center cleat that is Plan A. The spring line is the key. It can be pre-rigged to pick up at your home port of course, but it can also be placed on the appropriate cleat or piling with a long boat pole as you motor in to the slip or even as you go past the end of a finger pier to help you turn in. After it is placed, you can slowly brig the boat alongside the dock using a combination of forward thrust with right rudder and reverse prop walk. On my boat this works much better on port side due to prop walk direction. Much has been written about warping in and off a dock with lines, prop walk and spring lines in this forum and elsewhere. Those are all needed skills for the single hander ande they all require some practice.
Warren
Good information Warren I gotta evaluate my slip and see how I can set it up to make it easier. I back in but the set length spring lines to the midship cleat is a good idea, seems like setting one to windward would hold the boat and give me time to get around to the other lines. Thanks for the input.
Good information Warren I gotta evaluate my slip and see how I can set it up to make it easier. I back in but the set length spring lines to the midship cleat is a good idea, seems like setting one to windward would hold the boat and give me time to get around to the other lines. Thanks for the input.
Single handed docking
I single hand from time to time and find it very pleasant and relaxing. I do agree with those who commented that docking is the biggest concern. In prior boats my other biggest concern was dropping the mainsail, since I had to leave the wheel or tiller and if the wind was healthy the boat was often difficult. With an autopilot and lazy jacks that is not much of a problem any more. As for docking, I dock alongside a non floating bulkhead. To manage lines with the tides I have gone to mooring whips, which eliminate the need for fenders. An extra advantage of the mooring whips is that I drop the mooring lines through the loops in the mooring whip line when I leave. When I am returning, even in a pretty strong wind, it is pretty easy to grab the lines and tie myself up. In all cases, I think the most important element of a successful docking singlehanded is planning and preparation, especially when you leave the dock. If you first start thinking about how to do it on the way in, your task will be that much harder.
I single hand from time to time and find it very pleasant and relaxing. I do agree with those who commented that docking is the biggest concern. In prior boats my other biggest concern was dropping the mainsail, since I had to leave the wheel or tiller and if the wind was healthy the boat was often difficult. With an autopilot and lazy jacks that is not much of a problem any more. As for docking, I dock alongside a non floating bulkhead. To manage lines with the tides I have gone to mooring whips, which eliminate the need for fenders. An extra advantage of the mooring whips is that I drop the mooring lines through the loops in the mooring whip line when I leave. When I am returning, even in a pretty strong wind, it is pretty easy to grab the lines and tie myself up. In all cases, I think the most important element of a successful docking singlehanded is planning and preparation, especially when you leave the dock. If you first start thinking about how to do it on the way in, your task will be that much harder.
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