Questions for single-handers.....

BayMan · Apr 2, 2014

#1- autopilot. Not sure how you could leave the helm for any length of time without it.

Jackdaw · Apr 2, 2014

You going to have a lot of projects! ;^)

The best single handed boats are built that way from the ground up, but with time and resources, you can make most boats single hand well.

The ABSOLUTE BEST RESOURCE written for single handed sailing is this.

http://sfbaysss.net/resource/doc/SinglehandedTipsThirdEdition.pdf

Nom De Guerre · Apr 2, 2014

Come up with a plan for, and practice, a high cross wind blowing off docking scenario.

That's the biggest headache for me and I single-hand all the time.

I have an autopilot and rarely use it just to move about the boat. Balancing your sails or using a wheel lock while motoring are effective for holding a course for minutes at a time. Learn to heave-to as well, it's a priceless single-hander skill to master.

caguy · Apr 2, 2014

1. An autopilot has got to be your first choice.
2. You already have a furlering jib.
3. Single line reefing.
4. Lazy Jacks.
5. A windlass.
6. For mooring, fleet feet, plenty of room and good luck.

Jackdaw · Apr 2, 2014

OK lets clarify.

There is single handed day sailing; Banging around for a few hours on a lake or in a bay by yourself.

Then there is single handed passagemaking; blue water sailing for more than 24 hours.

What are you planning on doing? The requirements are totally different. Day sailing is mostly about getting the boat in and out of the dock, and getting the sails ready. Passagemaking is about you getting SLEEP, the boat being able to drive itself, and being made manageable when the weather gets crazy.

Joe · Apr 2, 2014

If you have an auto pilot..... all the other tasks can be easily handled. So that's a top priority for your sailing peace of mind. Trust me when I tell you it will change everything about your experience.

However, to me, the most important piece of equipment is ... a harness and tether.... I single hand quite a bit and I'm always clipped on when out of the cabin. If you already have a harness and tether..... WEAR IT... it's worthless otherwise.

A good boat hook is paramount. You can use it to deploy fenders, fend off pilings, pick up a mooring, etc.

Joe · Apr 2, 2014

Bonzai said:
Agreed on the harness Joe and I got one....even got an extra. Still gotta learn how/where to set tether lines. Fairly certain auto-pilot is next big purchase.

I don't rig jack lines for day sails.... I clip to the higher side of the boat.... the shrouds when I'm at the mast, there are a few fittings on the fore deck, some in the cockpit.

I rigged some webbing type jacklines that work pretty well for longer passages. I bought the webbing at a climbing store, REI, at 1/3 the WM price... It's the tubular, UV resistant type designed for climbing.... NOT the strap down type you use for sail ties. That said, the safety at sea video I have uses rope jack lines.

I think a twin tether rig is a good idea, although I've never used it. One short, one long.

Stu Jackson · Apr 2, 2014

Daysailing for some requires more than a simple putt putt out of the harbor. In our case it's a 40 minute trip.

I also enjoy the autopilot when sailing, and I singlehand a lot. It is by far the best investment you can make, 'cuz it also allows you to keep a better watch.

Add learning how to use a midships spring line and you'll do just fine.

Kings Gambit · Apr 2, 2014

Interesting to bring this up today as a topic. I was just out solo in Long Beach Harbor yesterday afternoon dialing in a new No. 2 furling genoa in 19 kt true, and up to 25 kt apparent going to weather. Jib only up. I have a 38' ft, 16,000 lb, fractional rig. So, the situation is fresh in my mind.

I didn't put the main up b/c I was lazy; but in that wind it would be tough to get the large main up b/f the head of the boat blew off unless moving fairly fast directly into the wind. Just a little off and the bow falls off rapidly while you're up on deck still trying to get the mainsail up. I really don't think a wheel lock could hold the boat very long. [Off course, the sail is also getting pinned against the shrouds unless you've somehow gotten to the main sheet and eased it, etc.] However, an autopilot works if you move fast. Clearly, you'll have to develop some technique there, etc., if not using an autopilot.

Deploying a furled jib is not hard, but trimming it can be unless you can reach the winch from the steering station, and you have the bicep power to trim at the less-than-optimal angle you're working from. Again; technique. I can just reach the winch handle at its closest point with one hand on the wheel. To crank I have to let go the wheel long enough to get past the distal turning point using my left or right arm; etc. For tacking I need both hands; and I cannot complete it from behind the wheel b/c I cannot trim in the sail on the new tack until I lock the sheet into the self-tailer; insert winch handle, and crank, etc. Meanwhile, who is steering the boat? The wheel lock? I don't think so.

Just a few points here; I could write an essay on the subject. Short version; you need an autopilot; don't leave home without one!

Joe · Apr 2, 2014

Invest in the autopilot rather than a wind vane. You will use the AP all the time, under sail or power.... the wind vane is a passage making tool requiring no battery power, but is often tricky to get working right... in other words, you don't just turn it on and off like the AP... so its day sailing applications are limited.

On a subject mentioned by Gambit..... when I single hand, the main goes up before I leave the dock. If you have a downwind facing slip, then you may have to change slips or tie up stern first. The point is that you can raise the main, set a reef if it looks like you'll need one, and proceed without having Gambit's issues later.

I always start with my working jib, 110 blade, because it has better visibility and is much easier to handle than the deck sweeper. Besides, it is much easier to change to a larger sail because the conditions are getting milder than it is to go smaller because the wind is getting more brisk. I have a jib downhaul rigged to help me control the headsail drop and keep it stable on deck.

Kings Gambit · Apr 2, 2014

Can also raise mainsail at anchor

Yeah, that's true about the mainsail in the slip. I don't b/c I have an autopilot and use it when I'm out solo. I also (unlike Bonzai), have all halyards run to rope clutches & winches on the house that I can access from the cockpit; so I can raise the main partly from the wheel if desired; but then have to go forward to the house to finish cranking it up, and to trim. However, if you have a long run upwind to clear your channel, you might not want the mainsail up & flogging all that way. I sometimes raise the mainsail at anchor b/f getting under way if solo. An autopilot does not do much good in that situation. Raise the sail; no sheeting; go forward and get the hook up ASAP and secured; hopefully your dead-lift is short; boat will lay beam to wind with the main flogging to leeward until you get back to where you can trim and get underway. Now that I think about, I suppose one could do that anywhere where there is room to leeward. Free the main sheet; push the boom to leeward and raise the main when the boat lies abeam the wind; then go to the cockpit and trim. Would not need an autopilot for that.

BTW. Here's some more single-handing equipment from the Pacific Single-Handed Sailing Association (for racing; autopilot optional).

A boat shall have the following: "Wood plugs or other means of blocking thru hulls; jacklines and clipping points; fire extinguishers; anchor: sized appropriately, with chain at least as long as the LWL of the yacht, and a total rode of at least 175 feet; flashlights; first aid manual and kit; foghorn; radar reflector installed height must be at least five feet above the deck; if octahedral (e.g., Davis), the reflector shall have a minimum diameter of 12''; charts; safety equipment location chart; depth sounder; knot meter; emergency steering; tools and spare parts including a hacksaw with spare blades or rigging wire cutter; a banding machine or supply of large hose clamps; seizing wire and duct tape; and a sail repair kit; yacht's name on miscellaneous floatable equipment; reflector tape on life jackets, MOB gear, etc.; a 406 MHz PLB (Personal Locator Beacon), properly registered."

topcat0399 · Apr 2, 2014

When I started single handing number one item was a quickly deploying.....anchor.

2 actually.

keithvoigt@sbcglobal.net · Apr 2, 2014

I have single-handed a 32 foot boat for years. By far, leaving and returning to my slip has been the biggest challenge. Midship cleats and spring lines are a must going in and out. Once on the water l always, always wear my sospender...just like a seat belt on a car. Auto-pilot is a must for raising and lowering sails, plus the ability to trim from the cockpit. I try to get out at least once a week on my own and once a week with family and/or friends. My favorite? Alone!

weinie · Apr 2, 2014

Keep multiple bottle openers scattered around. Trust me on this.

higgs · Apr 2, 2014

I am thinking this boat is full keel with some fore foot cutaway and an S&S design. If that is the case I would venture a guess that it is not tough to get this boat to sail itself for a bit of a stretch thus making the AP not all that critical for day sails. I suppose if your slip is situated into predominant winds you could raise that at the dock, but my first choice would be to lead my main halyard back to the cockpit. With that keel, you could keep her head on reasonably well under power forgoing the need to raise at the dock.

higgs · Apr 2, 2014

Google sheet to tiller steering for some sources on using this instead of an AP. Not as good, but better than nothing. I used to do this on my 25 and it did alright.