Has anyone made a coastal trip of 100-150nm by themselves? What were the conditions and lessons learned? I am considering sailing my H28 from Boothbay, ME to Newburyport, MA single handed in the beginning of October with overnights at Biddeford Pool (Wood Island Harbor) and Isles of Shoals. The attached picture is of Quality Time at Damariscove Island, ME.
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Yes
Lessons learned: 1) When the weather is calm, especially if the winds are blowing offshore, it will be one of the most peaceful journeys you could imagine. Can be too peaceful. Take your cellphone and if you have one, a laptop. Taking to somebody by phone or getting online will cure any lonelyness you might feel. 2) When the weather gets feisty and nasty, you may find yourself thinking of all that could go wrong and that leads to stress which incourages sea sickness...especially if this weather starts up at night when you can't see much. Being alone you realize that everything is on your shoulders to handle. Nobody to help. Nobody to talk things over with. Nobody to steer while you go down below. 3) If you find yourself out after dark, seeing makes a big difference. On a clear night with a full moon you can see a little. On a cloudy night or no moon you can't see anything. Having radar helps a lot but you will still have a feeling of blindness. 4) Have a very good auto-pilot that can handle just about any condition (wind and waves) because if you can't let go of the wheel, how are you going to handle all the little or big things that happen when the wind picks up (if it does). Or...just don't go if the weather seems like it will get above 18 knots. 5) Take naps anytime you can. Up there you don't have as many obstacles like we do in the gulf but I'm sure there are times where you just have to be on watch. 6) Plan plan plan. The more you plan every detail, the more comfortable you will be and the more you will enjoy it. 7) Study the charts before you go. Know everything about the areas your going to. Once you get there, it's too late because your too busy dealing with traffic, obstacles and so on. You don't want to run aground or into a sunken wreck because you didn't study the area. 8) If your legs have a tight timeline to reach each anchorage before nighttime, make sure you leave yourself plenty of time between wakeup and departure. I always seem to leave too late. 9) Always listen to the weather reports at anchor and in the morning. I'm sure the weather can change up there just as quickly as down here. You may be thankful you did. Bad weather is so much harder to handle alone.
Lessons learned: 1) When the weather is calm, especially if the winds are blowing offshore, it will be one of the most peaceful journeys you could imagine. Can be too peaceful. Take your cellphone and if you have one, a laptop. Taking to somebody by phone or getting online will cure any lonelyness you might feel. 2) When the weather gets feisty and nasty, you may find yourself thinking of all that could go wrong and that leads to stress which incourages sea sickness...especially if this weather starts up at night when you can't see much. Being alone you realize that everything is on your shoulders to handle. Nobody to help. Nobody to talk things over with. Nobody to steer while you go down below. 3) If you find yourself out after dark, seeing makes a big difference. On a clear night with a full moon you can see a little. On a cloudy night or no moon you can't see anything. Having radar helps a lot but you will still have a feeling of blindness. 4) Have a very good auto-pilot that can handle just about any condition (wind and waves) because if you can't let go of the wheel, how are you going to handle all the little or big things that happen when the wind picks up (if it does). Or...just don't go if the weather seems like it will get above 18 knots. 5) Take naps anytime you can. Up there you don't have as many obstacles like we do in the gulf but I'm sure there are times where you just have to be on watch. 6) Plan plan plan. The more you plan every detail, the more comfortable you will be and the more you will enjoy it. 7) Study the charts before you go. Know everything about the areas your going to. Once you get there, it's too late because your too busy dealing with traffic, obstacles and so on. You don't want to run aground or into a sunken wreck because you didn't study the area. 8) If your legs have a tight timeline to reach each anchorage before nighttime, make sure you leave yourself plenty of time between wakeup and departure. I always seem to leave too late. 9) Always listen to the weather reports at anchor and in the morning. I'm sure the weather can change up there just as quickly as down here. You may be thankful you did. Bad weather is so much harder to handle alone.
Thanks for the detail
I have made the trip up and back a couple of times already so I am familier with the charts and the places I can duck into if the weather gets bad. I was with two other experienced sailors on prievious trips so the "alone" part is the biggest variable. I have a ST4000 Wheel Pilot tied into my GPS/chart plotter that seems to work very well. I also have a fixed and handheld VHF, Loran and handheld GPS. I always have my cell phone with charger to make calls home when I reach an anchorage. The VHF is my primary distress communications. I normally make plans to reach an anchorage with a couple of hours to spare before it gets dark. If I start to run behind schedule because there is no wind, I use the 18hp diesel to keep moving. I plan to rig jack lines on both sides of the boat and to wear a harness when I am not in the cabin. What do you think about getting a "Ditch Bag" and securing it in the inflatable dingy (along with the oars)? One consideration is that in October, the days are not as long. My biggest concern is that the Merrimack River (Newburyport) runs between 4 and 5 knots so I am nurvious about getting tied up at a slip without help. I don't want to jump off the boat to tie a line and have the boat float away!! Again, thanks for your input -- I am really looking forward to my trip.
I have made the trip up and back a couple of times already so I am familier with the charts and the places I can duck into if the weather gets bad. I was with two other experienced sailors on prievious trips so the "alone" part is the biggest variable. I have a ST4000 Wheel Pilot tied into my GPS/chart plotter that seems to work very well. I also have a fixed and handheld VHF, Loran and handheld GPS. I always have my cell phone with charger to make calls home when I reach an anchorage. The VHF is my primary distress communications. I normally make plans to reach an anchorage with a couple of hours to spare before it gets dark. If I start to run behind schedule because there is no wind, I use the 18hp diesel to keep moving. I plan to rig jack lines on both sides of the boat and to wear a harness when I am not in the cabin. What do you think about getting a "Ditch Bag" and securing it in the inflatable dingy (along with the oars)? One consideration is that in October, the days are not as long. My biggest concern is that the Merrimack River (Newburyport) runs between 4 and 5 knots so I am nurvious about getting tied up at a slip without help. I don't want to jump off the boat to tie a line and have the boat float away!! Again, thanks for your input -- I am really looking forward to my trip.
docking byself
"don't want to jump off the boat to tie a line and have the boat float away!! " If you have a midship cleat, then have a long line attached to that and ready to go. When you jump off the boat onto the dock, have that line in your hand. Even if the current grabs the boat, you will have plenty of time to get that line around a cleat on the dock. If you don't have midship cleats, then have very long stern and bow lines and have both in your hands when you hop off. Tie stern first because it's closest and then run over, pull the boat back in and tie off bow. You can always create a temp midship cleat by running a line from the bow cleat to the stern cleat and put a loop in the line midway and tie a line to that loop. Note: this temp line needs to be very strong. If you are concerned about being able to pull the boat back, try the lasso trick but to do this, you have to backup to the dock. When the cockpit reaches the dock cleat, throw a line around the cleat with one end tied to your midship cleat and the other ran to a winch. After you have it lassoed, then tighten the winch end and let the boat engine (still in reverse) pull you against the dock. Hop out and tie the stern and midship lines tight but only loop them on the dock and tie off on the boat. Then turn engine off. When you leave you can do it all from the cockpit.
"don't want to jump off the boat to tie a line and have the boat float away!! " If you have a midship cleat, then have a long line attached to that and ready to go. When you jump off the boat onto the dock, have that line in your hand. Even if the current grabs the boat, you will have plenty of time to get that line around a cleat on the dock. If you don't have midship cleats, then have very long stern and bow lines and have both in your hands when you hop off. Tie stern first because it's closest and then run over, pull the boat back in and tie off bow. You can always create a temp midship cleat by running a line from the bow cleat to the stern cleat and put a loop in the line midway and tie a line to that loop. Note: this temp line needs to be very strong. If you are concerned about being able to pull the boat back, try the lasso trick but to do this, you have to backup to the dock. When the cockpit reaches the dock cleat, throw a line around the cleat with one end tied to your midship cleat and the other ran to a winch. After you have it lassoed, then tighten the winch end and let the boat engine (still in reverse) pull you against the dock. Hop out and tie the stern and midship lines tight but only loop them on the dock and tie off on the boat. Then turn engine off. When you leave you can do it all from the cockpit.
Anchoring
Give some thought as to how you are going to weigh the anchor. Pretty simple if the wind is not blowing but if it is then you may have to have some assist from the engine. but you need to be at the bow too. A windlass solves the problem but if you don't have one what are you going to use to get a purchase on the anchor rode. I have never solved this one, BTW, to my satisfaction. Idling the engine in forward and using the autopilot worked but there was that moment when the rode was up-and-down and I had to cleat it to break it free that caused me to have to work real fast with a loaded line. This can have a bad effect on fingers. Anchoring alone for me means a very snug anchorage. Anybody have another idea?
Give some thought as to how you are going to weigh the anchor. Pretty simple if the wind is not blowing but if it is then you may have to have some assist from the engine. but you need to be at the bow too. A windlass solves the problem but if you don't have one what are you going to use to get a purchase on the anchor rode. I have never solved this one, BTW, to my satisfaction. Idling the engine in forward and using the autopilot worked but there was that moment when the rode was up-and-down and I had to cleat it to break it free that caused me to have to work real fast with a loaded line. This can have a bad effect on fingers. Anchoring alone for me means a very snug anchorage. Anybody have another idea?
Ditch bag
Even for a smaller boat, a ditch bag is a good idea. I keep a flashlight, strobe, vhf, set of flairs, 5-6 granola bars, and a couple of bottles of water. It sits next to the helm with my life jacket and safety line. If you think abou needing to put on the jacket and saefty line, it is too late to think about where the ditch bag is!
Even for a smaller boat, a ditch bag is a good idea. I keep a flashlight, strobe, vhf, set of flairs, 5-6 granola bars, and a couple of bottles of water. It sits next to the helm with my life jacket and safety line. If you think abou needing to put on the jacket and saefty line, it is too late to think about where the ditch bag is!
Anchoring....don't need a windlass in high winds
If you have rode and not all chain, then don't cleat it off at the bow. Run it through something, like a bow anchor roller, then back to a winch (and then cleat if you feel the need) in the cockpit. When you are ready to go, start the engine and put it in idle forward. As you go forward, pull in the rode from the cockpit. When you get close to the chain part of the rode, put the engine in reverse and circle around to the windward side of the anchor (this also helps break it loose). Put it in neutral and go forward and pull in the chain as you drift towards the anchor.
If you have rode and not all chain, then don't cleat it off at the bow. Run it through something, like a bow anchor roller, then back to a winch (and then cleat if you feel the need) in the cockpit. When you are ready to go, start the engine and put it in idle forward. As you go forward, pull in the rode from the cockpit. When you get close to the chain part of the rode, put the engine in reverse and circle around to the windward side of the anchor (this also helps break it loose). Put it in neutral and go forward and pull in the chain as you drift towards the anchor.
PFD is a must
I always wear my offshore inflatable PFD with integrated harness when I am by myself. I recently sailed to Damariscove Island and back home by myself (37nm) so I figure that is about the same as each hop on my journey South. The chartploter and autopilot are easy to use from the helm. I keep the handheld VHF at the helm also so I don't have to go below to make or answer a call. I plan to run the jack lines on each side of the boat from where the back stays attach to the port bow cleat (I use the starboard bow cleat for the anchor). In "good" conditions, it is easy to engage the auto pilot and use the head or get something to eat/drink. I think having a good meal at the end of the day and a hot shower makes a big difference also. Anyone else have stories or advice about single handing a long voyage?
I always wear my offshore inflatable PFD with integrated harness when I am by myself. I recently sailed to Damariscove Island and back home by myself (37nm) so I figure that is about the same as each hop on my journey South. The chartploter and autopilot are easy to use from the helm. I keep the handheld VHF at the helm also so I don't have to go below to make or answer a call. I plan to run the jack lines on each side of the boat from where the back stays attach to the port bow cleat (I use the starboard bow cleat for the anchor). In "good" conditions, it is easy to engage the auto pilot and use the head or get something to eat/drink. I think having a good meal at the end of the day and a hot shower makes a big difference also. Anyone else have stories or advice about single handing a long voyage?
three thoughts
1. Stay off the leeward rail, even if the weather's good, even if all you have to do is take a leak. 2. Plan on reefing earlier than you normally would. For the singlehander it's not just what you can handle, it's what the autopilot can handle. Sometimes, when you're alone, it's nice just to use one of the sails. Last Thursday, with just my cat aboard, I spent 5 hours downwind in 20+ knot winds and quartering seas with just the jib out, and it was glorious. Had the main been out as well I would have made another knot easy, but I would have been exhausted at the end. 3. Plan on taking longer to make each port than you normally would. When you're singlehanding, it's a lot harder to keep a schedule, so don't push things, because fatigue is the main enemy. (4) One bonus thought: if you don't know how to heave to, you're not ready to singlehand.
1. Stay off the leeward rail, even if the weather's good, even if all you have to do is take a leak. 2. Plan on reefing earlier than you normally would. For the singlehander it's not just what you can handle, it's what the autopilot can handle. Sometimes, when you're alone, it's nice just to use one of the sails. Last Thursday, with just my cat aboard, I spent 5 hours downwind in 20+ knot winds and quartering seas with just the jib out, and it was glorious. Had the main been out as well I would have made another knot easy, but I would have been exhausted at the end. 3. Plan on taking longer to make each port than you normally would. When you're singlehanding, it's a lot harder to keep a schedule, so don't push things, because fatigue is the main enemy. (4) One bonus thought: if you don't know how to heave to, you're not ready to singlehand.
I like if Franklin
That is a great idea Franklin. I can use the winch to weigh the anchor. Just have to keep a 2 boat lengths in the locker to get back to the winch and then forward again to the bow roller. Heck my wife could do it. The deck might get a little messy but that comes off easy enough. The part I really like is I don't have to get dirty. A poor man's windlass. Thanks Franklin
That is a great idea Franklin. I can use the winch to weigh the anchor. Just have to keep a 2 boat lengths in the locker to get back to the winch and then forward again to the bow roller. Heck my wife could do it. The deck might get a little messy but that comes off easy enough. The part I really like is I don't have to get dirty. A poor man's windlass. Thanks Franklin
It ain't over til it's over
I have no first-hand experience, but a fellow from my area who is crusing around the world was doing a 48 hour (or so) single-handed leg that ended at a port in Mexico. He got there, right into the bay, likely minutes from getting to a marina, and dozed off. He awoke when he hit the beach. He was there for some time while a gaping hole in the hull was being repaired. ...RickM...
I have no first-hand experience, but a fellow from my area who is crusing around the world was doing a 48 hour (or so) single-handed leg that ended at a port in Mexico. He got there, right into the bay, likely minutes from getting to a marina, and dozed off. He awoke when he hit the beach. He was there for some time while a gaping hole in the hull was being repaired. ...RickM...
Shorter legs.
with 2 stops overnight you are breaking the 150 mile trip into legs of 50 nm each. At an average speed of 4 knots you are talking 12 1/2 a day which perhaps would be to long. I would add another stop to break the trip into 37.5 nm legs. At 4 knots now it comes out to 9 hours. I do not know how many daylight hours you have up there in October but it sounds like you may be partially sailing in the dark. It is my preference to leave an anchorage during the dark than to try to get into one, so i would leave early in the morning giving me enough time with an hour to spare to get into the next anchorage with daylight. Like it was mentioned fatigue will be your worst enemy so get a good night sleep and exercise a little when you get up. Keep your mind busy with navigation, the boat, planning ahead, watching the weather, etc. An idle mind makes mistakes.
with 2 stops overnight you are breaking the 150 mile trip into legs of 50 nm each. At an average speed of 4 knots you are talking 12 1/2 a day which perhaps would be to long. I would add another stop to break the trip into 37.5 nm legs. At 4 knots now it comes out to 9 hours. I do not know how many daylight hours you have up there in October but it sounds like you may be partially sailing in the dark. It is my preference to leave an anchorage during the dark than to try to get into one, so i would leave early in the morning giving me enough time with an hour to spare to get into the next anchorage with daylight. Like it was mentioned fatigue will be your worst enemy so get a good night sleep and exercise a little when you get up. Keep your mind busy with navigation, the boat, planning ahead, watching the weather, etc. An idle mind makes mistakes.
Actual distances for each leg
The approximate distances for each leg are as follows: Boothbay to Biddeford - 37nm (8.5 hrs); Biddeford to Isle of Shoals - 35nm (8 hrs); Isle of Shoals to Newburyport - 15nm (4 hrs). I think the suggestion to leave early (before first light) is a good one. If you plan your route out (look at it as you go in while it is still light) then getting out should be OK. Trying to pick a safe spot within an ancorage at night isn't my idea of fun (there always seems to be a surprise just beyond what you can see).
The approximate distances for each leg are as follows: Boothbay to Biddeford - 37nm (8.5 hrs); Biddeford to Isle of Shoals - 35nm (8 hrs); Isle of Shoals to Newburyport - 15nm (4 hrs). I think the suggestion to leave early (before first light) is a good one. If you plan your route out (look at it as you go in while it is still light) then getting out should be OK. Trying to pick a safe spot within an ancorage at night isn't my idea of fun (there always seems to be a surprise just beyond what you can see).
Lookout Requirement
Lots of good info in this thread. In addition to the many boat/sail management items one has to deal with while solo sailing offshore, the one that has always been of most concern to me is the requirement to maintain a lookout at all times. I'm guessing that every long distance sailor, me included, has at one time or another simply put on the autopilot or self-steering gear and then gone below to get some needed sleep.... I'd like to hear from other solo sailors concerning how they deal with the lookout requirement. See below: "RULES OF THE ROAD CONCERNING LOOKOUT REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL VESSELS AND RISK OF COLLISION. The U.S. Coast Guard is reminding mariners of the importance of maintaining a proper lookout. Rule 5 of the INLAND AND INTERNATIONAL NAVIGATION RULES requires that all vessels maintain a proper lookout at all times by sight and hearing, as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions, so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision. Action taken to avoid a collision shall be positive, made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship. When a risk of collision exists, all vessels, regardless of whether they are the stand-on vessel or the give-way vessel, must take prompt action to avoid a collision. When in doubt about whether a risk of collision exists, mariners should assume there is risk of collision and act accordingly."
Lots of good info in this thread. In addition to the many boat/sail management items one has to deal with while solo sailing offshore, the one that has always been of most concern to me is the requirement to maintain a lookout at all times. I'm guessing that every long distance sailor, me included, has at one time or another simply put on the autopilot or self-steering gear and then gone below to get some needed sleep.... I'd like to hear from other solo sailors concerning how they deal with the lookout requirement. See below: "RULES OF THE ROAD CONCERNING LOOKOUT REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL VESSELS AND RISK OF COLLISION. The U.S. Coast Guard is reminding mariners of the importance of maintaining a proper lookout. Rule 5 of the INLAND AND INTERNATIONAL NAVIGATION RULES requires that all vessels maintain a proper lookout at all times by sight and hearing, as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions, so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision. Action taken to avoid a collision shall be positive, made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship. When a risk of collision exists, all vessels, regardless of whether they are the stand-on vessel or the give-way vessel, must take prompt action to avoid a collision. When in doubt about whether a risk of collision exists, mariners should assume there is risk of collision and act accordingly."
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