Keeping Genoa sheets out of the prop when furling!!

[Joel H.]

So I went out in a bit of a blow yesterday....Solo!
I thought I was being smart by only flying a deeply furled headsail. As I was trying to reduce the headsail some more the flogging sail pulled all my sheet over the side, (it was still knotted and through the lead block !), which promptly fouled on the prop. So, I cut the fouled sheet free and completely furled the headsail. Now I'm drifting fast and the sheet is still fouled on the prop. Pulling on ether end or hand rotating the prop would not clear it.
Long story short it cost me $500.00 to get a tow from the marine police.
First of all, I didn't even think that sheet could reach the prop (especially 3/4 furled!) . And second, how do I do things, (or rig things), differently to see that this could never happen again?
Thanks in advance,
Joel H.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Try keeping one wrap around the winch at all times.

 

[Joel H.]

Thanks for the reply Stu.
I'm not sure one wrap would be a guarantee though. I had the sail furled to about a third and the sheet was knotted at the block right next to the winch. If someone would have asked me, I would have bet that it couldn't have happened!
I've been wondering if a continuous sheet, (I.E. one that starts at the clew through the block, cockpit, block, and back to the clew), would be in effect shorter when un-sheeted. I'd love to hear from people familiar with that setup.
Thanks, Joel

 

[sinnettc]

what type of knot did you have in the end of your sheet? I use a figure 8 which results in a knot a bit larger than a simple overhand knot. I've never had one pull through on me.

Also, when single handing I usually cross sheet - I bring the working sheet across the cockpit (after a turn around the leeward winch) and use the windward winch. The unused sheet is generally behind me, and the winch, until I tack and bring it across the cockpit with me.

 

[Joel H.]

Thanks for the reply SinnettC. The knot did not pull out, that's what so distressing. The sheet lead from the clew of the genoa around the prop and back to the block. I did not think there was line enough to do that, now I know better. I'll just have to come up with a better way to keep control of the sheets when furling.
Joel H.

 

[dj2210]

It's amazing what happens to sheets during flogging. I once had one wrap itself around my wife's neck. If the sail had filled she might not be here today! Luckily i saw it happen and stopped the tack. it left a red mark...

 

[jrowan]

Every time I've ever had a real problem sailing, its been when sailing single handed.
That's why I try not to do it anymore! A good first mate is the key to success. If your not already married to your first mate, then ask a fellow sailor at your marina to go out sailing with you. I think its always interesting to see how other sailors handle their boats, and always learn something new every time I sail (whether or not its on O.P.B.)
Plus, I think its also a lot safer to have more then one person on a sailboat, in case someone gets incapacitiated/ sick / injured, etc. Cheers.

 

[longterm]

It's amazing what happens to sheets during flogging. I once had one wrap itself around my wife's neck.

Hmm... I'll have to take one of my ex-clients sailing.

 

[longterm]

Every time I've ever had a real problem sailing, its been when sailing single handed.
That's why I try not to do it anymore! A good first mate is the key to success. If your not already married to your first mate, then ask a fellow sailor at your marina to go out sailing with you. I think its always interesting to see how other sailors handle their boats, and always learn something new every time I sail (whether or not its on O.P.B.)
Plus, I think its also a lot safer to have more then one person on a sailboat, in case someone gets incapacitiated/ sick / injured, etc. Cheers.

I singlehand fairly often, but if it's a windy day I'm definitely more cautious. Even though I'm inland, I often wear a safety line; I uncover sails, cabin and wheel while still moored; I let people know when I'm sailing and when I'm coming back; I try to plan ahead so that I don't have to leave the cockpit for water, etc.; I don't sail alone on extreme days; I hold on even more as I move around the boat.

One of the first things I was taught on a sailboat was to keep a sharp eye on my lines and sheets, to prevent fouling; the other thing I'm constantly thinking about is where my head is in relation to the boom... I'm hardheaded, but not THAT hardheaded...

One other thought: BoatUS has inexpensive tow insurance that can save hundreds on a tow.

Sorry for your trouble; fortunately it's just a line and not something more serious.

Bob

 

[Stu Jackson]

Singlehanding has nothing to do with it. Really, wind only comes up when it's two or more folks on the boat?

Afetr re reading this topic, it sounds like your sheets may be too long for your genoa. Although they need to be long to take care of the extra length of the clew back to where the genoa sets right for going upwind, can you shorten them at all?

Other than that, get a 110 and live free.

 

[Joel H.]

Wow, great feedback.

Well, I'm working on finding skilled sailing partners. I would like to be self reliant though. I get off work earlier than most and sail daily, (weather permitting), our seasons short here in Chicago. I did pretty good last, (my first in a cruiser), season. I thought I had worked through all the critical boat handling skills. I was mistaken.
As far as shortening the sheets, I'll experiment with that. I measured them today and they're 31'. Someone once told me the rule was 1-1/2 times the boat length so I'm certainly under that.
Keep the replies coming and thanks again.
Joel H.

 

[CaptGregg]

The sheet's gotta be long for a ginny, I guess it's one of those things you'll just have to watch out for when single-handling the boat. I've not taken the opportunity to raise my ginny yet but plan to next week winds permitting. I live dangerously (cheaply) I don't have an outboard (will get one when I can afford) so this is not nearly as distressing for me as being windless or caught in a bad place with no aux power.

Thanks for giving me your experience, it's something I now know to look for, strictly a sailing novice here, I appreciate this board more than I originally thought I would. The wealth of knowledge (coming from mistakes, it's the most stressful and most formidable teacher) abounds here and is so freely offered. You can tell that fellow seasoned Catalina owners are in it for the benefit of all who take these boats into their lives...

 

[Ray Bowles]

Sailing single handed is one of the great pleasures in life so solve the problem and go back again. The sheets for your furling headsail need to be twice the length of the boat for starters. If the winches are mounted forward in the cockpit then they can possibly be shortened.
I use line bags for the tails but another good solution is to drop the line tail into the companionway. With a little pactice furling the sail in low wind conditions will really build confidence in your procedure.
You asked a very good question and have recieved good sugestions to try. Good luck and fair winds.
Ray

 

[Joel H.]

Thanks for the reply Ray.
One of the problems I had was that it took both hands, and my undivided attention, to adjust and cleat (horn-cleat) the furling/reefing line when the headsail was really flogging. That is why I lost control of the sheet and it ended up overboard and eventually into the prop. To that end, I just added a cam-cleat on the furling/reefing line. Now I find I can control the process a lot better, and pause when I need to grab something, (like a sheet or the tiller), without losing anything! I did keep the horn-cleat for backup. Line bags are next on the list.
Thanks again.
Joel H.

 

[jrowan]

Your description is a perfect example of what can & does happen when single handed sailing. Its very difficult to helm the boat properly, avoid shallows, or other boats while holding the stick or wheel, tacking, releasing & hauling a sheet, furler, etc. On my boat the mainsheet is on the cabin top & is very difficult to even reach while behind the wheel (one benefit of a aft traveller setup). Also I can't possibly imagine raising the main & jib while at the helm. Even with lines led aft its gotta be a challenge. Then there's anchoring. Who's at the helm while your throwing or hauling an anchor? Have fun retrieving it without the help of a crew assisting with the engine! No thanks. I leave it to those who did it better, such as Joshua Slocum, & even he wound up losing his boat years later to grounding. (& that was WITH his family /crew on board!) Go figure. Make some new friends for potential crew, don't be anti-social, & live a lot safer.

 

[gpdno]

I singlehand all the time. Getting to know your boat, how she behaves takes time. Start out slow build confidence, try new things, fail and learn.
Think things thru and take your time doing things. I usually get in the most trouble when I rush. So slow down. My boat, most boats turn to weather when you release helm pressure. It may look ugly sails flopping all around but it won't kill you. Learn the art of heaving to. Great way to slow down and relax, raise, drop, or reef the main.

If I'm out sailing and decide to pull in the headsail a bit. I keep tension on the working sheet and winch in the furling line. If I need to, I can release some tension on the sheet, add a bit more slack and winch the furling line some more.

I have my furling line marked at 115% & 100% so I don't have to guess.

Take your time and learn your boat. Singlehanding is great fun and very rewarding.

 

[Joel H.]

Thanks for the reply Gregory.
Your right, slowing down is one of the things I need to force myself to do. I've also been planning to spend a day practicing how best to heave-to my boat but haven't yet. I assume that I will want my 155% furled-in quite a bit when I do that? But I'm not sure!
You raise a question though; I don't get how you can be heaved-to and be raising or lowering the main. Isn't it the two sails working against each other that makes heaving-to work? This sounds very intriguing can you explain? These are the kind of advanced techniques and details all my reading doesn't seem to be helping me with.
Anyway, the real answer is, I need to team up with more experienced sailors. I've tried, but most of the cruising sailors I've met, (so far), are mostly "fair weather sailors" (no offense to them, they are content). I do want to progress beyond that though.
Thanks again,
Joel H.

 

[gpdno]

Joel,

Couple of general things. IMHO I've become a much better sailor because I single-hand. If I waited for someone more experienced to sail with me I might have gone out once or twice a month. Singlehanding, I sail 2-3 time a week.
At first it was just quick little trips, docking by myself, motoring in the ICE, going out in the gulf long enough just throw the sails up. But over time the experience builds up.

Work on good sail trim. Most boat will track well on a close reach with the helm locked. Balance the sails, lock the helm, sit back and relax. NO autopilot required

Heaving to is great to learn. It's more than just back winding the jib. But that's a start
In general the idea is to set the boat so it make little forward progress. The back winded jib want to turn the boat one way the helm hard over counters this forcing the boat to turn the opposite way. The mailsail is used to adjust the angle to the wind. It varies boat to boat so you have to try and see how your's behaves.

The nice thing is with the jib back winded the mail is in a wind shadow. This makes the main easy to raise, drop, or reef. Again no autopilot or motor required

Storm Tactic's by Lynn and Larry Pardey is an excellent book on the subject.

 

[longterm]

Your description is a perfect example of what can & does happen when single handed sailing. Its very difficult to helm the boat properly, avoid shallows, or other boats while holding the stick or wheel, tacking, releasing & hauling a sheet, furler, etc. On my boat the mainsheet is on the cabin top & is very difficult to even reach while behind the wheel (one benefit of a aft traveller setup). Also I can't possibly imagine raising the main & jib while at the helm. Even with lines led aft its gotta be a challenge. Then there's anchoring. Who's at the helm while your throwing or hauling an anchor? Have fun retrieving it without the help of a crew assisting with the engine! No thanks. I leave it to those who did it better, such as Joshua Slocum, & even he wound up losing his boat years later to grounding. (& that was WITH his family /crew on board!) Go figure. Make some new friends for potential crew, don't be anti-social, & live a lot safer.

I strongly disagree; a little planning goes a long way:

I run my main sheet to the back of the cockpit; I don't drop the anchor if I'm not in a place where I have time to get to the bow and back in plenty of time; I use my depth sounder to prevent grounding, which can just as easily occur with others on the boat.

Tacking while singling? Easy as pie; I hold both sheets, get the lazy sheet ready to pull in, make my turn, all goes well. If I really want to, I can always use my autopilot to handle the wheel.

If it's really gusty I tether myself to the boat; if I think I'll have trouble with tacking, I sail with headsail only; I keep plenty of distance from other boats; I get everything I need from the cabin before I even raise sails. I pay attention.

Singlehanding is great fun, and I wouldn't mss it for the world. The key to safe sailing, whether alone or with others, is being careful.

It may not be for everyone, but lots of us enjoy singlehanding.

Bob

 

[Stu Jackson]

well put