Sailing Dingy Questions (O'Day Widgeon)

[Onoahimahi]

Hi - I am a long-time powerboater learning to sail my new 1974 O'Day Widgeon. (It's a ~12 foot sailing dingy with a main and jib.) My questions today involve starting off from and coming back to a dock. My dock points out to the middle of a wide tidal river with negligible current and the prevailing wind tends to blow me up against the dock. I'm doing okay more or less once I am off the dock but my starts and stops are awkward at best. I'll describe what I have evolved to after a bit of trial and error and perhaps you can provide guidance. Any and all pointers will be appreciated.

The Widgeon has no topping lift so I start by pulling in the mainsheet all that way in to hold the boom in place resting on the transom. Then I put the jib all the way up and leave the jibsheets loose so the jib just flaps in the wind. Next I run the mainsail up the mast letting that flap along with the jib. When I am ready to go, I connect the outhaul sheet to the clew of the main sail and freehand the outhaul sheet to begin to sail away from the dock. It's a beam reach so it usually sails straight off the dock without issue. I use a bungie cord to hold the tiller in place as a poor-man's autopilot. Once I am a safe distance away from the dock, I set the jib sheet to continue the beam reach. Then I run the outhaul sheet through the hole in the end of the boom which is still resting on the transom. I loosen the main sheet and pull the outhaul sheet and the boom starts to rise into position. I set the outhaul sheet onto the cleat on the boom and set the mainsheet and I'm good to go.

My approach to return to the dock is similar. I first let the jibsheet loose so that it is flapping and loosen the outhaul sheet so I can freehand it. When I'm confident I have enough momentum to get to the dock I let go of the outhaul sheet and let the mainsail flap along with the jib. So far I have come in hot every time but the boat is light enough that I can stop it by grabbing the dock by hand. (I found out, however, it's a lot harder to stop when it's half full of water from accidentally dunking it and having to jump out to keep if from flipping completely. I learned I need to have something on board I can bail water with and I also learned that car key FOBs don't survive being underwater :-(

Are these reasonable approaches? All tips or pointers will be appreciated!

Thanks,
-Scott

 

[kappykaplan]

Sounds like you have a good plan. My only recommendation would be to see if you can backwind the main when approaching the dock to take more boat speed off. Welcome to the forum!

 

[shemandr]

You should have seen me on my first Flying Scot sail two years ago. Getting out was easy but you need to tack before going into the poles. The poles used to be docks but have fallen into disrepair. If you get into them you'll be like a ball in a pin ball machine. Coming back I just crashed into the dock. If you don't crash a little you might not make the dock and the result is much worse.
One skill I've worked on is to learn to vane the sails - even if fully hoisted. It is helpful while leaving to just get in, sheet the main in and go. No messing around with that outhaul. The jib can wait while you develop some boat speed and gain maneuverability. Also vane-ing is useful if you want to stop to make some adjustments or attend to any detail. Yes the boom will flap around some but in light wind that's manageable.

 

[dlochner]

Judging how fast to approach a dock under sail takes is an acquired skill, usually learned by falling short a lot and hitting the dock a lot. One way to practice is to set a small buoy out in open water, a bleach bottle or fender will work and practice sailing up to and stopping. This is also good practice for crew overboard drills or in the case of a solo sailor a hat retrieval drill.

Set the outhaul before leaving the dock, it will give you better sail control when leaving and is one less thing to worry about once underway. You can never tell what will happen once under way and being able to maneuver quickly is most important, can't do that if you're fiddling with the outhaul.

In a small boat, getting under way with main alone is feasible. Once moving, then trim the jib, it is OK to leave it luffing for a few minutes until you are settled in and moving.

Enjoy and the fine aspects of sailing take a life time, that's one of the joys of sailing.

 

[MikeHoncho]

I beach start and stop my Laser. On the way In I release my rudder line and disconnect the centerboard lashing, luff the sail on approach and lift out my centerboard. Stear into the wind and land on shore sideways/parallel to it.

 

[jssailem]

Both @dlochner and @shemandr give good advice.

There is no ready to go, every day advice to leave or return to the dock in a small boat. The conditions on that day will dictate how you will successfully sail the boat.

I am of the school, raise and make fast the sails before leaving the dock. Reduces action to trimming when underway.

Certainly I limit playing with the loose end of the boom (installing and setting the outhaul) while the boom and sail are flogging about. It is called a “Boom” for a reason. I’ll angle the boat or even change docks to accommodate raising the main. This usually means releasing the mainsheet letting the boom swing out over the dock so that the sail windvanes. Since mainsail is being used to get away from the dock (I find small boats sail better under a main than a jib alone), the hoist is the last action before I push away from the dock.

I’ll even fasten the foot to the boom and row out into the bay then hoist the mainsail, the boom movement limited by the Mainsheet. On small boats you can sit on the bow, feet dangling in the water and using a canoe paddle make good progress. I once was forced to paddle home, across San Diego Bay to Glorietta Bay to get my boat home. It can be done.

You say you have no topping lift for the boom… But you do. The main halyard can serve as your topping lift until you are ready to hoist the Mainsail.

There is nothing like a determined sailor standing in water a bucket in hand, to bail a boat. For small amounts of water I always carried a Clorox Bottle with the bottom cut off. They serve well to dump nearly a gallon of water with each throw. Some boats I sailed had self bailing cockpits. Just get the boat upright and start sailing. The water all goes away. You can find a bailing contraption that you install in the hull - closed it is water tight, open it lets the water out as you sail forward.

Returning is all about being able to approach the dock into the wind. Down wind approaches mean having to make a U turn to bleed off speed. You want to choose a space that allows you an approach and a way to bail out if it looks bad. Back winding the main by holding the boom is a good brake.

If there is no way to set a good approach, then get close, drop the sail and grab the paddle. Better to approach the dock under paddle than too much speed.

If you value your hand and it’s ten digits, you will not reach out for the dock to fend off a crash.

One of the best ways to learn this stuff is to get on the water, like you have and keep tryin.

Good Luck and may all your sails fill you with JOY!

 

[Eddie C]

I have recently downsized to an engineless 13’ catboat. After a few fiascos of hitting the dock roof and getting the sail hooked over posts, I have an undignified solution. I straddle the bow, paddle 50 yards or so out and toss out a collapsible sea anchor tied to the bow. This holds the bow into the wind and slows drift while I hoist the sail. The sea anchor is easy to retrieve. The process is reversed on return. Really wish I could sail to and from the dock but this works for now. Eddie C.

 

[jssailem]

Good solution in you situation Eddie.

 

[deander]

You already got some good advice here. I own a Widgeon (1970). Its is light and very responsive to wind, especially if single handed. Someone posted about practicing in open water as if coming into a dock. That's a bit hard to simulate but what you can learn about this exercise in open water is getting use to filling and dumping wind in your sails and feeling how your boat speed and handling responds.
One thing I don't do unless there's almost no wind is coming in with the jib up - too much sail up to control or deal with. I only come in with the main up if its beam or close reached and I have the halyard ready for immediate release. I can paddle in with winds approaching otherwise since I already have that wind assist behind me. When leaving the dock, I always have the sails ready to raise, the outhaul on the main is taught and the halyard free to raise the sail when free and clear from the dock. I adjust the outhaul to wind strength later (looser in light winds).
You will have some bumps but that's just part of the learning curve. With wind behind you, always over estimate the amount of space you need when leaving the dock for the sails to fill and the boat's keel to become affective to avoid getting pushed back in. Again, more paddling and as time goes you get better at estimating that. And....always have that keel and rudder down before leaving the dock...unless you're in very shallow water.
I don't know if it will be of help to you since I'm not sailing into or leaving a dock but I posted a short video of one of our sails on the Widgeon here in Colorado on Youtube (

).
Happy sailing- its a fun boat!
Dean

 

[jssailem]

Nice video. Great grab. I guess it is all about the timing. So as not to lose any fingers.

 

[deander]

Thanks for your kind words, John. You guys up there in WA have some of the most challenging sailing conditions overall for the 3 coasts. Love the Cal 35 - a great boat! Was on my sons short list before deciding on a Pearson 365.
Dean

 

[Onoahimahi]

Guys - many thanks for the guidance and nice video! It makes a lot more sense to set the outhaul and then raise the sail vs the other way around like I was doing. My approach was working but it was a pain to set the outhaul while the sail was powered. Plus I lost 2 of my battens while the main was flapping waiting for me to get off the dock. I'm sure my neighbors have appreciated the entertainment I am providing.

On the dock I can start pointing west to the middle of the river or walk it around the corner alongside my powerboat to point north or south. I'll be more comfortable attaching the outhaul to the mainsail before raising if I am facing more into the wind. If I'm not comfortable I will paddle out. I carry a little mushroom anchor I can use if necessary.

Once I get off the dock, I have to say this thing is a bit scary to sail! I briefly owned a Cal 20 about 25 years ago and don't recall that being scary (in the conditions I used it.) I remember my 6-year old son saying during a time we were keeled over "This is like a rollercoaster but slow!" It had a weighted keel and if I got into trouble I knew I could just let go of the tiller and the boat would turn right into the wind and stop. It's been breezy every time I have been out on the Widgeon and I feel like I have pay attention every second to make sure I don't dump it (again.) It reminds me a little of the windsurfing I did 30 years ago but scarier than that also. While windsurfing I felt like I had more control of board using my legs and feet to steer and my arms on the boom. My wife call my cell phone on Sunday while I was sailing the Widgeon in gusts and there was no way I could have taken my attention of sailing long enough to answer the phone. Sailing the Widgeon has been fun, however, and I look forward to getting more experience and the confidence that comes along with that. It is nice to know I can come here with questions along the way.

Thanks!
-Scott

 

[dlochner]

The more you sail the more attuned your body will become to the boat's motion and will respond faster than you can think of how to respond. You're still in the thinking phase of learning, eventually it will become more intuitive, you'll feel a subtle change in the boat's speed or heel and you'll be responding. Keep on sailing.

 

[BobMoore]

I also have a Widgeon and I installed a topping lift on mine. The topping lift makes a huge difference since we have about 200 meters of harbor to get through before we can get enough wind to sail. I will probably install sail slugs on the mainsail so that I am able to easily flake the sails on top of the boom before leaving the dock. Now, we place a sail track stop just underneath the boom instead of the sails as I do on our boats with sail slugs on the main. We tighten the outhaul before we leave the dock since we are using a topping lift. When it is time to raise the main, we remove two loosely tied sail ties, raise the main, and unhook the topping lift. Rudy, with D & R Marine sells the topping lifts as a kit. Easy to install. Put a cheek block near the top of the mast, a horned cleat just above the insert on the mast, and a small eye strap on the end of the boom.

I recently installed a Davis instruments tiller tamer on my Daysailer 3 and I am going to install the same type of tiller tamer on the Widgeon when I get the chance. We really like the tiller tamer. Rudy also has a decent price on the tiller tamer. It is listed as a part for the Daysailer 3 but should work on the Widgeon as well. The jam cleats are fastened on the inside of the transom. Everything made by Davis instruments is probably too expensive in my opinion, but they also make some very handy gadgets for sailing. The tiller tamer is excellent quality by the way and well worth the price. Actually, all of the products made by Davis Instruments are excellent quality.

We are currently in the midst of a project to lead all lines back to the cockpit for the O'Day Daysailer 3. I will probably attempt to do the same for our Widgeon. We have built a bridge that will hold the fair leads and cam cleats just forward of the cubby opening. We are using cheek blocks to direct the main halyard, jib halyard, and topping lift back to this bridge. The jib downhaul has a block fastened to the same chainplate as the forestay. A 6 mm line leads from there and will by run through a fair lead and cam cleat on the bridge. My hope is that my sailing partner, also my wife, can easily sail the boat single handed without me having to climb out on the tiny foredecks to raise and lower sails, and haul the sails up.

 

[scottscotty]

I sail in a river also. on my phantom (sunfish replica) I find to leave out on a facing wind, I must let the sail go out with the wind and position the boat so that it is at an angle facing the wind. when I am ready I start pulling the sail in to catch the wind and this gets me away from the dock and moving out into the river. I too have had those "incoming very hot" returns when i worried about trying to get to the dock to stop. the phantom is very nimble and i learned that i could run up to the dock, when the wind was blowing straight into it and i was going dead down wind, and at the last moment turn it completely 180 degrees. this put the boat in "irons" and would stop my forward momentum. with a little practice, I was able to literally ease up to the dock backwards. I know it probably looked like !@#$%. but for me, it was the easiest way to get to the dock slowly, where the sails were not trying to bang into stuff. Each to their own. I learned from the start that just letting go of the sheets got me out of a lot of "jams" .....and at other times putting the nose of the boat in irons was my friend. g'luck

 

[Onoahimahi]

Hello All - it has been almost two seasons since I posted my original question here and I want to thank all who responded with the helpful suggestions as I have implemented almost all of them and it has made a world of difference. I think the thing that made the biggest difference was installing sail lugs on the main along with the topping lift. These allowed my to set the outhaul fully on the dock without raising the main sail. Now I can quickly raise the main after setting the outhaul when I'm ready to go. Prior to that I was raising the sail with its bolt rope all the way and then setting the outhaul to power off the dock. The problem with that was on windy days I could never fully set the outhaul and that seemed to make the boat unstable and very difficult to sail. Once I was able to set the outhaul properly sailing the boat seemed to get a lot easier. I'm sailing in a tidal river that is 300-400 yards wide which is plenty for tacking or jibing this boat but the wind direction tends to be more variable and challenging for me.

For the topping lift, I just installed a pad eye at the mast head and another one at the end of the boom and tied a fixed-length line between them. I made the length so that it becomes slightly slack when the sail is raised and it is working fine.

I picked up the Davis Tiller Tamer on Amazon and that thing is great. It definitely beats messing around with bungie chords. I added four small cleats, one on each side of the forestay and one on each aft corner maybe 8" forward of the transom. The boat is kept in the water on a small dock so I built an automatic bilge pump using a car battery and a small solar panel to keep it from filling with rain water. (I remove it before I sail.) I put Windtrak wind vane at the mast head which I rely on perhaps more than the tell-tales on the shrouds.

The final thing I did this year was install a simple reef point for the main sail. I had a windy day last year where I was able to sail upwind using the main only but I just couldn't sail back downwind safely. The wind was strong and gusty and the wind direction variable and I kept dipping the rail and partially filling the boat every time I tried to get underway. Add to this that the tide was running in the wrong direction and my dock is only a half-tide dock so I was running out of water. (A power-boater saw me struggling and offered to tow me back and I foolishly said no, I'm fine. I ended up reefing the main somehow with my dock lines and was able to sail back and vowed to install a proper reefing point ASAP. I installed it over the winter and it is just two SS grommet cringles along with several layers of sail material for reinforcement. (I have an old industrial sowing machine and was able to do this myself.) To apply it, I use some short lines to tie the sail to the boom through the cringles using a reef knot and that's it. I make no attempt to tie up the loose body of the sail as it doesn't really present a problem on this small boat.

One other minor thing I did which made sailing this small boat little more enjoyable was replace the eye-splice shackle arrangement at the head of the main sail with a halyard hitch to the shackle. The fat part of the halyard eye splice was not fitting thought the mast head block so the sail head was about 6" lower then it could have been. That 6" meant I had to bend over 6 more inches every time the boom comes across. The cockpit is already cramped enough in this dingy so I wanted to improve on that somehow. I ended up using a halyard hitch directly to the shackle and since it is a nice short knot that allowed me to raise the sail (and boom) about 6" further. (Initially I tied the halyard hitch directly to the sail head but that didn't work as well so I included the shackle.)

Thanks again for all who commented - it has been a fun two years with the boat so far!

Cheers,
-Scott