Questions for single-handers.....

Bad Obsession · Apr 2, 2014

Another vote for the Autopilot. They are the best crew members you could ask for.

Plan your moves in advance and think them through. None of it is really hard if you are methodical in what you do.

Make sure you put Jacklines and harness on if the weather has any hint at all of getting snotty.

Leave a float plan with a friend. Check in by Cell once in a while.

Learn your boat. My current boat I could walk around in pitch black and know where everything is (including equipment).

Just Do It.....It isn't nearly as intimidating as it sounds!

Kings Gambit · Apr 2, 2014

Learn to heave-to

Of course, when you do have to find a bottle opener, take a run to the head, or made up some din din, or do whatever takes you away from the wheel or tiller for more than a couple of minutes, if "cruising" w/o autopilot; learn to heave-to quickly. More technique/practice. A heavy, cut-away keeled sloop should heave-to nicely.

Stu Jackson · Apr 2, 2014

Single Handing 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5445.0.html

Please read both pages.

caguy · Apr 2, 2014

Stu Jackson said:
Single Handing 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5445.0.html

Please read both pages.

Thanks Stu I like the idea of a midship line.

The other thing that helped build my confidence in crossing our channel solo, was when I connected my VHS radio to the GPS, so that I could call the Calvary with the DSC if I ever needed them. Most of my friends have both but few have connected them.

Kings Gambit · Apr 2, 2014

Single boat (twin-finger) slip or double-wide?

I've never regarded getting in and out of the slip problematic for the twin-finger type; that is, when there is a finger on each side of the boat, versus the "double-wide" type, where there is only one finger for each of two boats sharing the berth. If your "slip mate" is nearly always to leeward when you arrive, then you might need a helper and a mid-ship cleat. Otherwise, not a problem--drive the boat in and stop her with power; and let her lay against the leeward finger (fenders out) and you're good. I've had both both types.

Sprega · Apr 2, 2014

I agree, autopilot in number one. Not that you can't single hand without one. I don't have any lines led aft on my boat except the roller furling line of course. Number two, is a breast line or midship spring line if you prefer. It is THE most useful line for controlling the boat while docking. Number three, boat hook. Single handed or not, the boat hook is essential. If you are invited to go sailing with someone, when you arrive at the boat, ask where the boat hook is. If the skipper says he does't have a boat hook, you should have second thoughts about sailing as a guest on that boat. Know your boat and then start to practice different senerios in your head. I do this and it is helpful when you get out on the water. These are just a few things that I do. In my youth, I single handed a 23 foot Columbia all over the gulf of Alaska, from Kachemak Bay to Prince William Sound. No auto pilot, no roller furling, no lines led aft. Ahhhh, youth.....

Lorin Smith · Apr 2, 2014

Read Joshua Slocum's "Sailing Alone Around The World" and then ask yourself again, "what do I need?" If you don't already have it, it can't be bought. There's many things, many systems, that can make a boat easier to manage when alone, but none should make it "possible" Just a thought.......

MrBill_FLL · Apr 3, 2014

AP +1

before I got my AP, I would motor out the channel, drop the hook, raise the sails and sail off the anchor. same for return..

big fenders help w/ docking.

Tricia · Apr 3, 2014

Re: single-handing

I put fenders on both sides of my boat when docking. If I get blown or carried to leeward, it saves my boat and my neighbour's boat.

Warren Milberg · Apr 3, 2014

All of the advice above is pretty good and will be useful to you. I, too, single-hand lot. What I've learned from the experience is that you have to be thinking about everything all the time: wind, weather, tides, currents, engine, sails, navigation, etc. Go over every scenario about what may go wrong -- and how you would deal with it while alone. Your boat will "talk" to you and tell you what you should be doing, if you are attuned to it... Don't let yourself get surprised so stay pro-active. Good luck with a good boat!

caguy · Apr 3, 2014

I prefer sailing with others most of the time, so for the last two years I've collected a contact list of 20 friends who like to sail though they are not all sailors themselves. I have grouped them into to my "sailing buddies group" and can send them text messages in mass when I'm going out. I usually get a response or two which is nice. On days that I prefer to be alone I simply don't text.

Joe · Apr 3, 2014

Lorin Smith said:
Read Joshua Slocum's "Sailing Alone Around The World" and then ask yourself again, "what do I need?" If you don't already have it, it can't be bought. There's many things, many systems, that can make a boat easier to manage when alone, but none should make it "possible" Just a thought.......

But, of course, keep in mind that the next singlehanded cruise Joshua Slocum made he was never heard from again. Wonder what the outcome would have been if he had had an EPIRB or at least a hand held vhf radio. But I'm thinking I must have missed your point. Did you mean it's a mindset?

ChrisJ · Apr 3, 2014

May I just mention that I would recommend something like a Hydrovane or an Aries.
AP is great but for any length of passage might drain your batteries more than you would like.

Stu Jackson · Apr 3, 2014

Simply depends on where the op sails, doesn't it?

higgs · Apr 3, 2014

Joe: I think you are being a bit hyperbolic here. Bonzai is not talking about circumnavigation at this point. He is talking about learning to single hand.
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