Does anybody know of a good video or DVD to help with shorthanded (2 people)sailing on midsize boats? My wife loves the boat and has been a great sport in even the worst weather, but we are often faced with situations where the tiller some other task are both beyond her. An example was lowering the main in a good chop. She couldn't pull it down and secure it to the boom, so I swapped with her. The tiller on our 90 Hunter 27 can overpower her easily. Big spirit, small frame. Would love to switch to roller on the jib and main, but money won't allow it at the time, so we're gonna have to do this without any expensive upgrades for now.
Short handed Sailing
- Thread starter Kevin Bladsacker
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Something is not right
If the tiller is overpowering your wife, you have waited too long to either reef or lower the sail. On a 27, it is difficult to imagine that one, regardless of stature, could not, by planting one's feet firmly to leeward, be able to leverage the tiller full to windward. Sailhandling in bad condition requires strength and agility. The key is make adjustments before they are needed - anticipation. The traditional rule of thumb is when one begins to wonder about a sail change - that is the time to make it. I would encourage you to be more conservative if you want your wife to remain enthusiastic.
If the tiller is overpowering your wife, you have waited too long to either reef or lower the sail. On a 27, it is difficult to imagine that one, regardless of stature, could not, by planting one's feet firmly to leeward, be able to leverage the tiller full to windward. Sailhandling in bad condition requires strength and agility. The key is make adjustments before they are needed - anticipation. The traditional rule of thumb is when one begins to wonder about a sail change - that is the time to make it. I would encourage you to be more conservative if you want your wife to remain enthusiastic.
tiller all the way down?
I agree. I'm assuming you have a kick-up rudder? There must be something wrong. One time I spent four days in 15-24 knot winds struggling with the tiller. We were doing hull speed plus most on the reaches, but our forearms were cramping up the first couple of nights until we got use to the extreme weather helm. It turned out that the rudder was *almost* all the way down, but not quite. When we discovered the faux pas and put the rudder down last last few inches on the last day of the vacation, it was finger-tip control in 15 knot winds. There are reportedly only two ways to learn a lesson. For some of us, we mostly use just one... Good sailing...
I agree. I'm assuming you have a kick-up rudder? There must be something wrong. One time I spent four days in 15-24 knot winds struggling with the tiller. We were doing hull speed plus most on the reaches, but our forearms were cramping up the first couple of nights until we got use to the extreme weather helm. It turned out that the rudder was *almost* all the way down, but not quite. When we discovered the faux pas and put the rudder down last last few inches on the last day of the vacation, it was finger-tip control in 15 knot winds. There are reportedly only two ways to learn a lesson. For some of us, we mostly use just one... Good sailing...
Tiller power
The tiller connect to a spade rudder large enough for a boat much larger than a 27. Its always 100% down by that, I guess. Hunter gave it a tiller 50% longer than the one on the Santana 30/30 I learned to sail as crew on. I think they had a good reason to do that. She's never adapted to the reversed nature of steering by tiller. (Not too fond of a manual transmission either if that helps to understand her) At her height, the cabin also blocks most of her view, anyway. Its not practical to change boats for one that has a wheel right now. She was the one that noted that all the training videos we've bought show crews of four or more and that all our friends have autopilots.
The tiller connect to a spade rudder large enough for a boat much larger than a 27. Its always 100% down by that, I guess. Hunter gave it a tiller 50% longer than the one on the Santana 30/30 I learned to sail as crew on. I think they had a good reason to do that. She's never adapted to the reversed nature of steering by tiller. (Not too fond of a manual transmission either if that helps to understand her) At her height, the cabin also blocks most of her view, anyway. Its not practical to change boats for one that has a wheel right now. She was the one that noted that all the training videos we've bought show crews of four or more and that all our friends have autopilots.
Division of labor
Two people should be sufficient. One of you should keep the helm, the other goes up front. Train on a good day for quick manuevers. Then you'll be more confident when trouble arise.
Two people should be sufficient. One of you should keep the helm, the other goes up front. Train on a good day for quick manuevers. Then you'll be more confident when trouble arise.
Tiller tamer
You can get a Tiller Tamer for not very much ($30) money. With it, you can get the heading you want, tighten it down and it will do most of the work. If the boat starts to change course, which it will do as the sails come down. then your wife can loosen the Tamer some, readjust the heading and tighten it back down. I agree with the others that there has to be something wrong if the tiller is that hard to move.
You can get a Tiller Tamer for not very much ($30) money. With it, you can get the heading you want, tighten it down and it will do most of the work. If the boat starts to change course, which it will do as the sails come down. then your wife can loosen the Tamer some, readjust the heading and tighten it back down. I agree with the others that there has to be something wrong if the tiller is that hard to move.
Getting the main down...
in a blow can be a chore, but with some practice it's not that difficult. I sail my Hunter 28.5 alone alot and so have developed some work arounds that might work for you, too. When you are getting ready to drop the main, turn on your engine (run in neutral), center the main with the traveler, and slowly swing the bow upwind. Try not to tack. With the person who is taking down the main securely stationed at the front of the mast, drop the main with the boat in the eye of the wind. If the slides and track are in good condition, the person at the mast ought to be able to bring the main down quickly before the bow swings off. On my boat, about half the main comes down all by itself. If the wind or waves push the bow off the wind before you have the main down, put the engine in gear and slowly power back into the eye of the wind and drop the remaining sail. Now and then when the wind is very strong, I have to use the wheel brake to keep the boat headed up (you could simply center and tie off your tiller athwardships). I think the key is getting the main down quickly when the boat is dead upwind and there is no pressure on it or the steering gear.
in a blow can be a chore, but with some practice it's not that difficult. I sail my Hunter 28.5 alone alot and so have developed some work arounds that might work for you, too. When you are getting ready to drop the main, turn on your engine (run in neutral), center the main with the traveler, and slowly swing the bow upwind. Try not to tack. With the person who is taking down the main securely stationed at the front of the mast, drop the main with the boat in the eye of the wind. If the slides and track are in good condition, the person at the mast ought to be able to bring the main down quickly before the bow swings off. On my boat, about half the main comes down all by itself. If the wind or waves push the bow off the wind before you have the main down, put the engine in gear and slowly power back into the eye of the wind and drop the remaining sail. Now and then when the wind is very strong, I have to use the wheel brake to keep the boat headed up (you could simply center and tie off your tiller athwardships). I think the key is getting the main down quickly when the boat is dead upwind and there is no pressure on it or the steering gear.
Videos, DVDs
Kevin If you check the West Marine catalog, there are a series of instructional videos. I am not sure if any of them deal specifically with short handed sailing. There are, however, ahem, TONS of BOOKS on the subject. Go to amazon.com and search for "single handed sailing." You'll be surprised at how many hits you'll get. Also try a Google on that subject, too, and you'll pick up lots on the web that you can read right away. Essentially, what everyone else above is saying: practice, practice, practice. Start on nice days and work your way up to the heavy stuff. Sounds like you got caught out one day -don't let that detract from your pleasure, just keep at it. Good luck, we've ALL been there. Stu PS Being the captain doesn't mean that you (the guy) hogs the helm. It does mean "horses for courses" - if she's so small she can't see over the cabintop, then I humbly submit that perhaps you ought to be the one pulling down the main in the chop (and other duties, as well).
Kevin If you check the West Marine catalog, there are a series of instructional videos. I am not sure if any of them deal specifically with short handed sailing. There are, however, ahem, TONS of BOOKS on the subject. Go to amazon.com and search for "single handed sailing." You'll be surprised at how many hits you'll get. Also try a Google on that subject, too, and you'll pick up lots on the web that you can read right away. Essentially, what everyone else above is saying: practice, practice, practice. Start on nice days and work your way up to the heavy stuff. Sounds like you got caught out one day -don't let that detract from your pleasure, just keep at it. Good luck, we've ALL been there. Stu PS Being the captain doesn't mean that you (the guy) hogs the helm. It does mean "horses for courses" - if she's so small she can't see over the cabintop, then I humbly submit that perhaps you ought to be the one pulling down the main in the chop (and other duties, as well).
preparation for each operation
I'm not sure that 2 people would be a "short-handed" crew for a 27-footer that's not racing! As one who singlehands a lot, I found the advice by sailing writer David Shaw about singlehanding to be so true: prepare each maneuver or operation and give yourself plenty of time to carry it out. Having to reef or take in sails early, or getting fenders out early, are confidence-builders if it means you get the job done without too much fright...
I'm not sure that 2 people would be a "short-handed" crew for a 27-footer that's not racing! As one who singlehands a lot, I found the advice by sailing writer David Shaw about singlehanding to be so true: prepare each maneuver or operation and give yourself plenty of time to carry it out. Having to reef or take in sails early, or getting fenders out early, are confidence-builders if it means you get the job done without too much fright...
I agree with Barry
That is the first thing that I thought of. A tiller mounted auto pilot will make you both a lot happier. I am single and I bring a lot of dates out to the boat and I find that a lot of women don't want anything to do with the physical side of sailing. As a mater of fact they don't come out if they have to do anything but sit there and look good. My autopilot has made sailing a lot more fun. Also there is no law against having a nice jib sail once in the while, leave the main down. It is a lot more relaxing.
That is the first thing that I thought of. A tiller mounted auto pilot will make you both a lot happier. I am single and I bring a lot of dates out to the boat and I find that a lot of women don't want anything to do with the physical side of sailing. As a mater of fact they don't come out if they have to do anything but sit there and look good. My autopilot has made sailing a lot more fun. Also there is no law against having a nice jib sail once in the while, leave the main down. It is a lot more relaxing.
Afterthought
To get the main down... 1. Have the cunningham pulled tight. 2. Wind the main halyard counterclockwise around the winch to avoid jamming. 3. Uncoil the halyard anyway to free crimps. 4. Let it loose and it will rocket downward. 5. So much so, be sure to avoid getting conked by battens.
To get the main down... 1. Have the cunningham pulled tight. 2. Wind the main halyard counterclockwise around the winch to avoid jamming. 3. Uncoil the halyard anyway to free crimps. 4. Let it loose and it will rocket downward. 5. So much so, be sure to avoid getting conked by battens.
in a word...
lazy jacks. I may be wrong, but, as a newbie I thought a lazy jack system was designed to assist in the lowering of a mainsail. I sail with my wife and have had one day of rough winds mixed with lowering of the mainsail. I thought it may have been easier with a lazyjack system. Please let me hear from some experienced sailors on the subject. Thanks.
lazy jacks. I may be wrong, but, as a newbie I thought a lazy jack system was designed to assist in the lowering of a mainsail. I sail with my wife and have had one day of rough winds mixed with lowering of the mainsail. I thought it may have been easier with a lazyjack system. Please let me hear from some experienced sailors on the subject. Thanks.
Let your wife do all the steering....
...all the time!!! Everyone on my boat gets to steer, I insist on it. Hey, what happens if you get hurt? How does she plan to get you back to the dock? Your wife MUST conquer her fear of the tiller or you will never be a crew/team. If you plan to sail as a couple, she needs to be able to handle the boat as well as you. Buying an autopilot is a good idea, but it is no substitute for learning to use the tiller.
...all the time!!! Everyone on my boat gets to steer, I insist on it. Hey, what happens if you get hurt? How does she plan to get you back to the dock? Your wife MUST conquer her fear of the tiller or you will never be a crew/team. If you plan to sail as a couple, she needs to be able to handle the boat as well as you. Buying an autopilot is a good idea, but it is no substitute for learning to use the tiller.
Directionally challenged.
My wife, bless her heart, also has trouble with the tiller. As far as dropping the sails, we had a breakthrough one day when we realized she wasn't throttling the outboard enough to keep the boat into the wind. When the bow started falling off, she was trying to correct with the tiller and just getting herself confused. She was also watching me flaking the sail -- to see if I was going overboard -- instead of looking at the windex. Mac SV Boodle
My wife, bless her heart, also has trouble with the tiller. As far as dropping the sails, we had a breakthrough one day when we realized she wasn't throttling the outboard enough to keep the boat into the wind. When the bow started falling off, she was trying to correct with the tiller and just getting herself confused. She was also watching me flaking the sail -- to see if I was going overboard -- instead of looking at the windex. Mac SV Boodle
Autopilot!
The best single improvement you can make is an autopilot. I generally singlehand our Beneteau 321 even when the boss (physically challenged) and non-sailing guests are aboard. It would not be possible without the ST4000. Set the bow to the wind and engage. Your wife can the then help out more effectively.
The best single improvement you can make is an autopilot. I generally singlehand our Beneteau 321 even when the boss (physically challenged) and non-sailing guests are aboard. It would not be possible without the ST4000. Set the bow to the wind and engage. Your wife can the then help out more effectively.
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