I have a 1979 Catalina 25'. I am new to sailing but learning with the help of friends. My question: I sail only in the Tampa Bay. Is a 25' to big to for me to someday sail solo?
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Dave Lyle
solo C25? sure
As a matter of fact, I was doing just that yesterday at sunset. I bought a 1986 C25 2 weeks ago, sailed it home (mostly motored) and took her out yesterday for the first time since I got her. I am also a relatively new sailor (3+ years) but don't let the years fool you. I'm still a novice!! I had a great time, but my tiller tamer needs some adjustment. And my sail hoisting wasn't real smooth, but I had a lovely time and came back to the dock smoothly. So, since I sailed me C25 solo and am not familiar with her, I am sure that one day you can. They sail nicely don't they? (I can't wait to get a "balanced" rudder.). Be safe. -Cap'n Dave
As a matter of fact, I was doing just that yesterday at sunset. I bought a 1986 C25 2 weeks ago, sailed it home (mostly motored) and took her out yesterday for the first time since I got her. I am also a relatively new sailor (3+ years) but don't let the years fool you. I'm still a novice!! I had a great time, but my tiller tamer needs some adjustment. And my sail hoisting wasn't real smooth, but I had a lovely time and came back to the dock smoothly. So, since I sailed me C25 solo and am not familiar with her, I am sure that one day you can. They sail nicely don't they? (I can't wait to get a "balanced" rudder.). Be safe. -Cap'n Dave
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Mike Turner
Absolutely!
I sailed mine solo many times in the year I had her on the Potomac in Washington, DC. Very easy to singlehand. A 25 is by no means the largest boat you can solo; I sail our 30 singlehanded out here in Southern California frequently. Enjoy! Mike Turner S/Y Amity Long Beach, CA
I sailed mine solo many times in the year I had her on the Potomac in Washington, DC. Very easy to singlehand. A 25 is by no means the largest boat you can solo; I sail our 30 singlehanded out here in Southern California frequently. Enjoy! Mike Turner S/Y Amity Long Beach, CA
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Herb Tripp
Singlehanding? Go for it!
Mike, I singlehanded my 25 from Marathon FL to the upper Chesepeake Bay this spring, taking 23 days to cover about 1300 miles. I did ocean sailing, night sailing, and a lot of motoring and motorsailing. If I can do that, you will have no problem. Remember, it's the first and last 200 feet that tends to be a problem. Lots of much larger boats are regularly singlehanded. Advice; get an autopilot, one with a remote - you won't regret it.
Mike, I singlehanded my 25 from Marathon FL to the upper Chesepeake Bay this spring, taking 23 days to cover about 1300 miles. I did ocean sailing, night sailing, and a lot of motoring and motorsailing. If I can do that, you will have no problem. Remember, it's the first and last 200 feet that tends to be a problem. Lots of much larger boats are regularly singlehanded. Advice; get an autopilot, one with a remote - you won't regret it.
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Rick Rose
On autopilots and tiller tamers
I'm also a novice, and I'm learning on a 1976 C22, out on Raritan Bay. My first attempt at single-handing was pretty scary. For me, sailing and docking single-handed was no problem--it was the raising and lowering of sails that created the white knuckles. Lashing the tiller (essentially improvising a "tiller tamer," if I understand that gadget correctly)will give you less than a minute of pointing into the wind if you have any kind of wave action. That's not much time to be dancing around on deck trying to raise or lower sails. I decided I would never single-hand again without some combination of rig adjustments and/or an autopilot. As for rig adjustments, I'm thinking of adding downhauls and then purchasing a kit sold by Catalina Direct for running all sail-handling lines back to the cockpit. Another idea, as Mr. Tripp suggests, is to add an autopilot, which might be a solution in and of itself. But then, technology has a tendency to fail when you need it most, so I've thought of doing both. I'd appreciate comments from more experienced sailors. Are there people who single-hand comfortably without either of these modifications? If so, what was I doing wrong?
I'm also a novice, and I'm learning on a 1976 C22, out on Raritan Bay. My first attempt at single-handing was pretty scary. For me, sailing and docking single-handed was no problem--it was the raising and lowering of sails that created the white knuckles. Lashing the tiller (essentially improvising a "tiller tamer," if I understand that gadget correctly)will give you less than a minute of pointing into the wind if you have any kind of wave action. That's not much time to be dancing around on deck trying to raise or lower sails. I decided I would never single-hand again without some combination of rig adjustments and/or an autopilot. As for rig adjustments, I'm thinking of adding downhauls and then purchasing a kit sold by Catalina Direct for running all sail-handling lines back to the cockpit. Another idea, as Mr. Tripp suggests, is to add an autopilot, which might be a solution in and of itself. But then, technology has a tendency to fail when you need it most, so I've thought of doing both. I'd appreciate comments from more experienced sailors. Are there people who single-hand comfortably without either of these modifications? If so, what was I doing wrong?
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Pete Staehling
Yes
In order of importance: 1. Halyards lead back to the cockpit. 2. Downhaul for jib. 3. Tiller tamer or auto-pilot. With at least 1 & 2 singlehanding is no big deal. With none of the three it can be done but is way less convenient. When I first bought my C22 I single handed her 35 miles to home in cold April showers and 15- 20 mph winds, with only dinghy sailing experience. I found her easier to sail than a dinghy (the bigger they are the easier to sail at least to a point). I don't find singlehanding any more difficult than sailing with crew. Pete
In order of importance: 1. Halyards lead back to the cockpit. 2. Downhaul for jib. 3. Tiller tamer or auto-pilot. With at least 1 & 2 singlehanding is no big deal. With none of the three it can be done but is way less convenient. When I first bought my C22 I single handed her 35 miles to home in cold April showers and 15- 20 mph winds, with only dinghy sailing experience. I found her easier to sail than a dinghy (the bigger they are the easier to sail at least to a point). I don't find singlehanding any more difficult than sailing with crew. Pete
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Joerg K
Rudders and Tamers
I read these comments with interest. My first season with my C25, out of Barnegat Bay, NJ, and I would like to try solo (I have a furling genoa). The tiller seems to be a problem, gotta arrest it somehow - what is a tiller tamer and how does it work? And, what is a "balanced" rudder and how does it affect sailing singlehanded? And, how would you tack (releasing sheet and pulling in the opposite - and at the same time working the tiller)?? Do singlehanders have in fact three hands?
I read these comments with interest. My first season with my C25, out of Barnegat Bay, NJ, and I would like to try solo (I have a furling genoa). The tiller seems to be a problem, gotta arrest it somehow - what is a tiller tamer and how does it work? And, what is a "balanced" rudder and how does it affect sailing singlehanded? And, how would you tack (releasing sheet and pulling in the opposite - and at the same time working the tiller)?? Do singlehanders have in fact three hands?
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Tim L.
helping
Mike, It's as easy as flying by yourself when the other guy's in the back hitting the head. It's something that you can do by yourself, but it's usually easier with just a little help. That help doesn't have to be experienced either. You are good at giving direction, so use the inexperienced crew you have to help pull sheets or raise the main. It will be more fun for you and them.
Mike, It's as easy as flying by yourself when the other guy's in the back hitting the head. It's something that you can do by yourself, but it's usually easier with just a little help. That help doesn't have to be experienced either. You are good at giving direction, so use the inexperienced crew you have to help pull sheets or raise the main. It will be more fun for you and them.
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John Visser
Safety considerations
I single-handed my C-36 for the first time, last weekend in Buzzards Bay. I had no concern about sailing it, but I was concerned about my safety, and that of others. 1. I rigged jack lines for port and starboard, and wore an inflatable vest with integral harness. I clipped on whenever I went on deck. 2. I kept a good lookout, especially under the jib. I had one collision course incident with another sailboat; I was headed South on a starboard tack, he West on port tack. I saw him while quite far off, he apparently never saw me. I finally had to change course to avoid a collision. 3. File a float plan with someone who will know what to do when you don't return on plan, or are unreachable via VHF or cell phone. 4. Go slow! I don't mean the boat, I mean don't run or leap, you'll hurt yourself. I keep smashing my knees on the main winches leaping out of the cockpit - I have to keep telling myself to slow down. 5. Figure out in advance what you'll do if: a. engine fails in channel b. fire c. flood d. collision e. injury f. fall overboard That said, some means of securing the helm is really necessary, as when taking a leak or setting or furling sail. An autopliot is nice, but a good helm lashing system will work fine. It should not be something flakey and makeshift, it should be easy, solid and reliable. My boat when trimmed properly will sail close hauled on a constant heading forever, it seems, with just the wheel locked, no autopilot. Experiment with sail trim and helm lashing 'til you can get her to sail straight for a while. This is how Joshua Slocum went around the world alone 100 years ago. Raising the main needn't be done head to wind as long as there is low enough friction going up; you can just drift about with the main sheet fully eased and raise it, then sheet in and go. The jib can probably be raised underway; I unroll mine on any point of sail, and can, in fact, furl it using a winch while sailing if need be. Its a lot easier to fully furl while headed up though. Lazy jacks on the main would be great - I don't have mine rigged yet, so I had to stand on the coach roof and gather up the sail as it dropped. This is probably the most dangerous thing to do. If you can rig lazy jacks, do it! Regards, jv
I single-handed my C-36 for the first time, last weekend in Buzzards Bay. I had no concern about sailing it, but I was concerned about my safety, and that of others. 1. I rigged jack lines for port and starboard, and wore an inflatable vest with integral harness. I clipped on whenever I went on deck. 2. I kept a good lookout, especially under the jib. I had one collision course incident with another sailboat; I was headed South on a starboard tack, he West on port tack. I saw him while quite far off, he apparently never saw me. I finally had to change course to avoid a collision. 3. File a float plan with someone who will know what to do when you don't return on plan, or are unreachable via VHF or cell phone. 4. Go slow! I don't mean the boat, I mean don't run or leap, you'll hurt yourself. I keep smashing my knees on the main winches leaping out of the cockpit - I have to keep telling myself to slow down. 5. Figure out in advance what you'll do if: a. engine fails in channel b. fire c. flood d. collision e. injury f. fall overboard That said, some means of securing the helm is really necessary, as when taking a leak or setting or furling sail. An autopliot is nice, but a good helm lashing system will work fine. It should not be something flakey and makeshift, it should be easy, solid and reliable. My boat when trimmed properly will sail close hauled on a constant heading forever, it seems, with just the wheel locked, no autopilot. Experiment with sail trim and helm lashing 'til you can get her to sail straight for a while. This is how Joshua Slocum went around the world alone 100 years ago. Raising the main needn't be done head to wind as long as there is low enough friction going up; you can just drift about with the main sheet fully eased and raise it, then sheet in and go. The jib can probably be raised underway; I unroll mine on any point of sail, and can, in fact, furl it using a winch while sailing if need be. Its a lot easier to fully furl while headed up though. Lazy jacks on the main would be great - I don't have mine rigged yet, so I had to stand on the coach roof and gather up the sail as it dropped. This is probably the most dangerous thing to do. If you can rig lazy jacks, do it! Regards, jv
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Allan
Solo with a autopilot
I use a Raytheon 1000 autopilot. It is used when I raise/drop the main sail. It also can be used to tack the boat, while the solo sailor handles the jib sheets
I use a Raytheon 1000 autopilot. It is used when I raise/drop the main sail. It also can be used to tack the boat, while the solo sailor handles the jib sheets
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Michael Allen
Thanks to all
Thanks to all of the responses about sailing solo. It helped me a great deal. This past Saturday I went out sailing solo for the first time and it was great. It has taken me several weekends to get the courage to try it and once I did I was not at all nervous. Now I know that buying this boat was worth it. Thanks again everyone.
Thanks to all of the responses about sailing solo. It helped me a great deal. This past Saturday I went out sailing solo for the first time and it was great. It has taken me several weekends to get the courage to try it and once I did I was not at all nervous. Now I know that buying this boat was worth it. Thanks again everyone.
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners.com
Congrats!
I missed this thread due to an insane schedule but I would have said I sail my C27 solo frequently (well, occasionally anyway). Good job!! LaDonna
I missed this thread due to an insane schedule but I would have said I sail my C27 solo frequently (well, occasionally anyway). Good job!! LaDonna
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