I am a relatively inexperienced sailor who recently acquired a 1982 Oday 23 in its original condition. I would like to be able to sail single handed. I am interested in running the main and jib halyards aft. Any suggestions on how to do it? Other suggestions on setting up the boat for single handed sailing?
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R
ruidh
Single handing
Here are a bunch of pictures by John Meister of how he did it on his O23.
I single hand my O23. I have a furler so I don't need to run a jib halyard. And I lock the tiller with a tiller tamer as I raise and lower the main. Usually I raise and lower it while still at my mooring so I'm not actually moving.
Here are a bunch of pictures by John Meister of how he did it on his O23.
I single hand my O23. I have a furler so I don't need to run a jib halyard. And I lock the tiller with a tiller tamer as I raise and lower the main. Usually I raise and lower it while still at my mooring so I'm not actually moving.
M
Mike
Good choice
Old Bill: you have made a great choice. I single-hand my Oday 23 all the time. Here are my suggestions: leading the halyards back to the cockpit is ok, but in my humble opinion, not the best way to go. The single biggest improvement you can undertake that will make single handing an Oday 23 easy and enjoyable is to install roller furling. I did so after two or three seasons on my boat, and I can't believe I waited so long. Previously, I had put in a downhaul for the jib so I could dose the sail from the cockpit, but it never worked great; and even when it worked ok, I still had the sail flopping around on the foredeck. I also thought about bringing the main halyard back to the cockpit, but I realized that I would need to remount the winch on the cabin top, and there is precious little room to do so, not to mention that fitting a deck organizer in too would be a tight squeeze as well. Also, I would have needed to cut open the cabin liner in order to access the actual bottom of the coach roof (you can't just drill through both the coach roof and the cabin liner and bolt the winch and/or organizer from the inside of the liner; you have to remove the liner itself in that location so that the bottom of the roof is accessible).
For me, the hassle was never going to the mast, it was going on the foredeck. In a small boat, even small waves make the bow go up and down, and make handling the jib a challenge. And don't forget: even if you lead the jib halyard back to the cockpit, you still have to somehow tame that sail as it comes onto the deck. Roller furling is the way to go! I have the CDI and think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Two other low cost single handing gizmos: the tiller tamer and Winchers. The tiller tamer will hold the 23 on course quite nicely; I have used it on reaches and had no need to touch the tiller for 20 minutes at a time. Others on this site have said less flattering things about it, while still others say that there are more robust versions out there. Winchers are those blue rubbery rings that fit over your existing winches and make them into a reasonable facsimile of a self-tailing winch. Like the Tiller Tamer, Winchers have their fans and their detractors. I have found them to be useful if not perfect. If nothing else, its easier and quicker to cleat a sheet off in the Wincher than to use the real cleat. Check the archives here for all of the various rants and raves for both the Tiller tamer and Winchers. If you still decide to lead the halyards aft, I know that several folks here have provided pictures of their projects. I have provided a link to one such set up. I know there are others too. Good luck!
Old Bill: you have made a great choice. I single-hand my Oday 23 all the time. Here are my suggestions: leading the halyards back to the cockpit is ok, but in my humble opinion, not the best way to go. The single biggest improvement you can undertake that will make single handing an Oday 23 easy and enjoyable is to install roller furling. I did so after two or three seasons on my boat, and I can't believe I waited so long. Previously, I had put in a downhaul for the jib so I could dose the sail from the cockpit, but it never worked great; and even when it worked ok, I still had the sail flopping around on the foredeck. I also thought about bringing the main halyard back to the cockpit, but I realized that I would need to remount the winch on the cabin top, and there is precious little room to do so, not to mention that fitting a deck organizer in too would be a tight squeeze as well. Also, I would have needed to cut open the cabin liner in order to access the actual bottom of the coach roof (you can't just drill through both the coach roof and the cabin liner and bolt the winch and/or organizer from the inside of the liner; you have to remove the liner itself in that location so that the bottom of the roof is accessible).
For me, the hassle was never going to the mast, it was going on the foredeck. In a small boat, even small waves make the bow go up and down, and make handling the jib a challenge. And don't forget: even if you lead the jib halyard back to the cockpit, you still have to somehow tame that sail as it comes onto the deck. Roller furling is the way to go! I have the CDI and think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Two other low cost single handing gizmos: the tiller tamer and Winchers. The tiller tamer will hold the 23 on course quite nicely; I have used it on reaches and had no need to touch the tiller for 20 minutes at a time. Others on this site have said less flattering things about it, while still others say that there are more robust versions out there. Winchers are those blue rubbery rings that fit over your existing winches and make them into a reasonable facsimile of a self-tailing winch. Like the Tiller Tamer, Winchers have their fans and their detractors. I have found them to be useful if not perfect. If nothing else, its easier and quicker to cleat a sheet off in the Wincher than to use the real cleat. Check the archives here for all of the various rants and raves for both the Tiller tamer and Winchers. If you still decide to lead the halyards aft, I know that several folks here have provided pictures of their projects. I have provided a link to one such set up. I know there are others too. Good luck!
R
Rascal
O'Day 23
I have been single handling boats most of my sailing life. The only two things that I found to be a nexessity, on my 23, was the roller furling (was a big help) and a tiller extension. The extension, I found to be really needed, in making tacks, because to the distance between the winches and the tiller ..... just couldn't do both at the same time and keep control of the boat through the tack. As far as bringing the halyards back ......... by the time you run the line through a turning block and back, its so damn hard to pull on thats its more of a pain thean just crawling up on the cabin and running up the sail and tying it down. You're spending a whole lot of money for equipment, and effort to mount it, and not saving you any work. Just set the tiller extension so it holds the rudder straight and hop up there an "Git R Done !" Besides, you have to get up there when you lower the main, to flake it and tie it down, which takes longer than running it up. Other than that, the O'Day 23 is a breeze to handle by yourself ! Bob Burns=Rascal
I have been single handling boats most of my sailing life. The only two things that I found to be a nexessity, on my 23, was the roller furling (was a big help) and a tiller extension. The extension, I found to be really needed, in making tacks, because to the distance between the winches and the tiller ..... just couldn't do both at the same time and keep control of the boat through the tack. As far as bringing the halyards back ......... by the time you run the line through a turning block and back, its so damn hard to pull on thats its more of a pain thean just crawling up on the cabin and running up the sail and tying it down. You're spending a whole lot of money for equipment, and effort to mount it, and not saving you any work. Just set the tiller extension so it holds the rudder straight and hop up there an "Git R Done !" Besides, you have to get up there when you lower the main, to flake it and tie it down, which takes longer than running it up. Other than that, the O'Day 23 is a breeze to handle by yourself ! Bob Burns=Rascal
R
ruidh
Tiller Tamer Mod
I love my Tiller Tamer but especially after I did the modification I read elsewhere. Rockler.com sells anodized aluminum cam clamps that fit the bolt in the stock tiller tamer. You just need to swap the bolt out for a 1/2" longer one, replace the knob with the cam clamp and screw it down. Very easy to set and release.
I love my Tiller Tamer but especially after I did the modification I read elsewhere. Rockler.com sells anodized aluminum cam clamps that fit the bolt in the stock tiller tamer. You just need to swap the bolt out for a 1/2" longer one, replace the knob with the cam clamp and screw it down. Very easy to set and release.
B
BaySailerBill
Oday23 Single Handing
Hi Bill,
I have a 1973 Oday-23 that I sail single handed quite alot. I redirected the halyards to the cockpit and installed line brakes & v-cleats. I don't have a furling but I do have a jib bag that makes life so much easier. All of these improvements where very inexpencive and made a world of differance.
Good Luck & Happy Sailing
Bill
Hi Bill,
I have a 1973 Oday-23 that I sail single handed quite alot. I redirected the halyards to the cockpit and installed line brakes & v-cleats. I don't have a furling but I do have a jib bag that makes life so much easier. All of these improvements where very inexpencive and made a world of differance.
Good Luck & Happy Sailing
Bill
C
Captain Long Femur
O 23 Tiller Tamer Pix??
Does anyone have pictures of their tiller tamer install. It's all I need to complete my rig.
CLF
Does anyone have pictures of their tiller tamer install. It's all I need to complete my rig.
CLF
R
ruidh
Tiller Tamer Pic
You can see it on this picture. I installed it on the bottom of my tiller and ran the lines aft to two clam cleats with fairleads mounted on the inside of the transom.
You might be able to see a bigger version at the link.
You can see it on this picture. I installed it on the bottom of my tiller and ran the lines aft to two clam cleats with fairleads mounted on the inside of the transom.
You might be able to see a bigger version at the link.
R
ruidh
C
Captain Long Femur
J
Joe
Single handing
Old Bill,
Get a good roller furler, an electronic autopilot, and leave the halyards where they are. This is all you need to do. A bow roller for your anchor can really make anchoring easy, and it should be installed before installing the furler, for clearance purposes with the furler drum.
Joe
Old Bill,
Get a good roller furler, an electronic autopilot, and leave the halyards where they are. This is all you need to do. A bow roller for your anchor can really make anchoring easy, and it should be installed before installing the furler, for clearance purposes with the furler drum.
Joe
P
Pete
That's some Tiller Tamer
I've never seen one with two arms, two legs, and a hat.
An O'day cutie, for sure.
Pete
s/v EmmieLou (O-322)
Little Silver, NJ
I've never seen one with two arms, two legs, and a hat.
An O'day cutie, for sure.
Pete
s/v EmmieLou (O-322)
Little Silver, NJ
R
ruidh
K
Kevin
Tiller Tamer
I bought a Tiller Tamer, but haven't installed it yet.
Couldn't it just be tied to the two stern cleats on the top of the transom, instead of adding new cleats on the port and starboard sides?
Kevin
I bought a Tiller Tamer, but haven't installed it yet.
Couldn't it just be tied to the two stern cleats on the top of the transom, instead of adding new cleats on the port and starboard sides?
Kevin
L
LordNelson
old fashioned
i am usually single handed in my o'day 20 and sail off it a mooring. i tried leading the halyard back to the cockpit but couldn't seem it get the luff of the jib tight so i went back to the mast.
i think roller reefing would be great, but it would cost me about 1/2 what i paid for the boat to buy one and modify the sail so i do it the old fashion way. i hank on the jib. i have a working jib, jenny, and a thistle jib for windy days. if i need to change sails, i tighten the main and let the tiller free and the boat weather vanes into the wind. i'd be afraid to use a tiller tamer if there is a chance it could allow the boat to sail off and leave me if case i fell in.
i could see the tiller tamer being nice on the mooring or anchor to keep the thing from beating itself to death as it's hard to tie it down.
i am usually single handed in my o'day 20 and sail off it a mooring. i tried leading the halyard back to the cockpit but couldn't seem it get the luff of the jib tight so i went back to the mast.
i think roller reefing would be great, but it would cost me about 1/2 what i paid for the boat to buy one and modify the sail so i do it the old fashion way. i hank on the jib. i have a working jib, jenny, and a thistle jib for windy days. if i need to change sails, i tighten the main and let the tiller free and the boat weather vanes into the wind. i'd be afraid to use a tiller tamer if there is a chance it could allow the boat to sail off and leave me if case i fell in.
i could see the tiller tamer being nice on the mooring or anchor to keep the thing from beating itself to death as it's hard to tie it down.
R
ruidh
It's Worth a Try
If you have spare cleats you can try it. If they are in the right place it might even work. You really need the ropes to form a right angle. I don't have cleats on my transom. The clam cleats I used were inexpensive.
If you have spare cleats you can try it. If they are in the right place it might even work. You really need the ropes to form a right angle. I don't have cleats on my transom. The clam cleats I used were inexpensive.
J
Jeff S
TILLER TAMER
I PURCHASED A TILLER TAMER AND ALSO DID NOT WANT TO INSTALL ADDITIONAL CLEATS AND SUPPORT BLOCKS AND WAS GOING TO USE THE EXISTING CLEATS AND SET THE TAMMER AT A 90DEGREE ANGLE TO THEM.
I PURCHASED A TILLER TAMER AND ALSO DID NOT WANT TO INSTALL ADDITIONAL CLEATS AND SUPPORT BLOCKS AND WAS GOING TO USE THE EXISTING CLEATS AND SET THE TAMMER AT A 90DEGREE ANGLE TO THEM.
J
Joe
Sure it could!
Kevin,
I would do just that if I were you. Whenever I leave my boat on the mooring, I raise the rudder blade and tie my tiller off to each of those stern cleats with 3/8" braid line. I use a leather chafe guard on my tiller to protect it from the tied ropes.
Joe
Kevin,
I would do just that if I were you. Whenever I leave my boat on the mooring, I raise the rudder blade and tie my tiller off to each of those stern cleats with 3/8" braid line. I use a leather chafe guard on my tiller to protect it from the tied ropes.
Joe
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