rigging boat for solo sailing

[jrale]

Dear Macgregor Owners,
I am considering converting my sailboat to solo sailing.
Anyone have pictures of rigging for solo sailing on a 25 ft Macgregor sailboat?
I did view recent discussions on rigging for solo sailing but my boat does not have all of hardware and rigging accessories that most sailboat owners have on their boats . I have a very basic sailboat.

Your information is always appreciated,
Jeff

 

[MrBill_FLL]

#1 get an autopilot.

everything else is optional after that.

-run lines to cockpit.
-get roller furling headsail.

 

[Doc_holiday]

Safety harness attached to boat and wear a life jacket because the boat want turn around and get you like an old jet ski. It'll keep on going. (I should listen to my own advice here)

Don't chince on the roller furling, you don't want to find yourself unable to get it rolled in, and a lazy jack system for the main.

 

[arknoah]

Yep. Roller furling, running all lines to cockpit, and probably using a jackline and tether (I've got one and still haven't used it) are al good things, in addition to some kind of self steering. I've attached a picture of my self steering device based on the recommendation of Andrew Evans' publication Thoughts, Tips, Technique and Tactics for Singlehanded Sailors. I also have single line reefing for my 25. I will try to take a pic of the hardware that runs the lines back to the cockpit, though you can see that described in pictures or devices that that you can buy from West Marine or Sailcare.

I also have a sail cradle, though I think more traditional lazy jacks would have been a better investment. I started out last season with just the lines led to cockpit, roller furling and the sail cradle and added the other features over the season. No reason to give West Marine that much money in one month....

 

[jrale]

Yep. Roller furling, running all lines to cockpit, and probably using a jackline and tether (I've got one and still haven't used it) are al good things, in addition to some kind of self steering. I've attached a picture of my self steering device based on the recommendation of Andrew Evans' publication Thoughts, Tips, Technique and Tactics for Singlehanded Sailors. I also have single line reefing for my 25. I will try to take a pic of the hardware that runs the lines back to the cockpit, though you can see that described in pictures or devices that that you can buy from West Marine or Sailcare.

I also have a sail cradle, though I think more traditional lazy jacks would have been a better investment. I started out last season with just the lines led to cockpit, roller furling and the sail cradle and added the other features over the season. No reason to give West Marine that much money in one month....

Thanks for feedback. will look into roller furling.
Jeff

 

[Kestle]

Get something like a spot or EPIRB so if you go in, someone can find you. Also, keep a flashlight and knife on you too. Guys have drowned under/inside boats when they were tangled and/or their pfd inflated.

Jeff R.

 

[Kestle]

I meant to add I sail out of San Pedro. Am happy to show you what I've done.

Jeff R.

 

[akhartung]

Just finished my solo setup. Including furler and all lines aft and lazy jacks. It's awesome when done...

 

[MrBill_FLL]

nice, but where are the winches?

*excuse my lack of 222 knowledge.

and what do you have there in lines, (left to right?)

those red ones don't need a which? -or real men don't need 'em?

 

[justsomeguy]

I'm betting the only thing you'd really need a winch for is a jib sheet, no?

 

[akhartung]

Lines L to R are

Furler Line
Mainsail Downhaul
Lazy Jack (Port)

Mainsail Halyard
Boom Topping Lift
Lazy Jack (Starboard)

I know it might be overkill to run the lazy jacks separate but I kind like that. The jib sheets do have winches, they are in the shot of the lazy jacks.

The real secret to rigging for solo is that it also works really well for coming into the marina under sail with folks who haven't a clue what a "halyard" or "sheet" are. You can point to a line and say pull the "Blue" one when I say now.