I'm trying to learn how to sail solo. I have an ODay23 and sail on the great Peconic Bay off Mattituck Long Island. Its a big bay and when the southwest wind whips up, it gets to be a real problem getting the boom on the toplift so I can take in the main. I was wondering if I could hike in the main tightly an then motor into calmer waters? The sea conditions I am talking about would be about a 10 to 12 knot SW wind with about a 2 to 2.5 foot wave height. Input would be greatly appreciated.
Sailing an ODay23 solo
- Thread starter riz
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Riz,
It sounds like you have a pig tail snap hook on your back stay for a topping lift. I'd get rid of it if I were you and either buy a boom kicker or run a cable down from the mast head with a single sheave at the end. Boom kickers are OK but I'd be afraid that I'd stumble against the boom and bend it. You could run a control line along the boom from the goose neck and have it go through the single sheave on the cable and tie off to the end of the boom. This way, all your reefing can be accomplished right at the mast. Install an autopilot and you'll be right in business. Sometimes I'm able to reef my Mainsail while the boat is under sail with the autopilot steering the boat and sometimes I'll have the outboard running with the autopilot heading her into the wind. I think that having a topping lift that you can control near the goose neck would allow you to do it all right at the mast, and do it fast.
Single handing a O'Day 23
I agree with Joe, lose the snap on the back-stay. I also use a topping lift from the top of the mast to the aft end of the boom, except I use 3/16 Dacron braid and of a fixed length. If you set the length right it will hold the boom with the sail off and go slack with the main up. For dropping the main or reefing it I heave too, jib back-winded on windward side and the tiller tied to the leeward side, main all the way out. The boat will quiet down and slowly drift ahead and down wind, read any book on heavy weather cruising for more details. I single hand most of the time and use this technique on Lake Erie in wind speeds from 10 to 35 mph with heavy chop. My Autohelm 2000 will not hold a heading in these conditions.
I agree with Joe, lose the snap on the back-stay. I also use a topping lift from the top of the mast to the aft end of the boom, except I use 3/16 Dacron braid and of a fixed length. If you set the length right it will hold the boom with the sail off and go slack with the main up. For dropping the main or reefing it I heave too, jib back-winded on windward side and the tiller tied to the leeward side, main all the way out. The boat will quiet down and slowly drift ahead and down wind, read any book on heavy weather cruising for more details. I single hand most of the time and use this technique on Lake Erie in wind speeds from 10 to 35 mph with heavy chop. My Autohelm 2000 will not hold a heading in these conditions.
Hi Boats!
Your topping lift seems so simple and trouble free. Mine is similar to a life line with a single sheave at the end. It works well but it has been wearing on the leech of my sail for years now. Maybe I should adopt your idea.
Joe
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