Anyone have photos or sources on how to rig for single handed? I would like to do this myself but I need to clear up a couple of questions first.
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Rigging Single Handed
Hi there, I actually bought my O'Day Mariner last year and set it up to solo rig - easily. I'm a new sailer, so let's just say it works good for me. I put a bow roller on my stern and center mast trailering supports. This allows me to step the mast alone. Then I used three 2x3's (smaller and lighter than 2x4's) to build an A-frame. The cross leg rests on my tabernacle, the legs, cushioned with rags, sit near the rub rails. The length of the A is from the tabernicle to the bow. Prior to raising the A-frame, I attach the forestay to a clip at the top of the A-frame. I then run a rope to a pully at the bow and raise the A-frame. Then, simply pull the rope. The A-frame transfer the force to the top of the mast, lifting it off the rear support. Once the A-frame reaches the deck, I just remove the forstay and pin it home. Yes, it is that simple. I use thumb screws to hold the frame together, and to break it down for travel. This also works for lowering the mast, just in reverse. The only hard part is centering it on the rear mast support on the way down. I have enough rope to tie it off and move it by hand. I actually designed this after my wife forgot to catch the mast - oops. Just think of the direction of force. The A-frame is the fulcrum. Now, my friend has a 25' Macgregor that he can raise solo. His rig is a pole that mounts to the base of the mast. He uses a 4-to-1 pulley rig to pull it up. He has three side stays per side, I only have two. For me, the A-frame works fine and costs under $20. His rig was over $150. Hope that helps. Sail on, Ted
Hi there, I actually bought my O'Day Mariner last year and set it up to solo rig - easily. I'm a new sailer, so let's just say it works good for me. I put a bow roller on my stern and center mast trailering supports. This allows me to step the mast alone. Then I used three 2x3's (smaller and lighter than 2x4's) to build an A-frame. The cross leg rests on my tabernacle, the legs, cushioned with rags, sit near the rub rails. The length of the A is from the tabernicle to the bow. Prior to raising the A-frame, I attach the forestay to a clip at the top of the A-frame. I then run a rope to a pully at the bow and raise the A-frame. Then, simply pull the rope. The A-frame transfer the force to the top of the mast, lifting it off the rear support. Once the A-frame reaches the deck, I just remove the forstay and pin it home. Yes, it is that simple. I use thumb screws to hold the frame together, and to break it down for travel. This also works for lowering the mast, just in reverse. The only hard part is centering it on the rear mast support on the way down. I have enough rope to tie it off and move it by hand. I actually designed this after my wife forgot to catch the mast - oops. Just think of the direction of force. The A-frame is the fulcrum. Now, my friend has a 25' Macgregor that he can raise solo. His rig is a pole that mounts to the base of the mast. He uses a 4-to-1 pulley rig to pull it up. He has three side stays per side, I only have two. For me, the A-frame works fine and costs under $20. His rig was over $150. Hope that helps. Sail on, Ted
Rigging single handed
Please excuse me Ted but I believe the question being asked is how to run the running rigging so that a person may be able to sail solo.Your answer was more so on how to step a mast. Mark if indeed your question is how to run your sheets and halyards to the cabin ,it might well be easier to ask specific questions as boats vary considerably.
Please excuse me Ted but I believe the question being asked is how to run the running rigging so that a person may be able to sail solo.Your answer was more so on how to step a mast. Mark if indeed your question is how to run your sheets and halyards to the cabin ,it might well be easier to ask specific questions as boats vary considerably.
rigging for solo
To sail alone, you will need to follow a few basic principles. As indicated in the prior post, the exact details are boat specific. 1. You will want to run all lines aft so that you do not have to leave the cockpit. 2. You will want some kind of tiller manager, to keep the tiller at a certain position for short periods. 3. You will want all you instruments (gps/compass/chart) visible and available to you in the cockpit. 4. You will want some kind of defence against falling overboard, ie pfd, harness, or trailing warps.
To sail alone, you will need to follow a few basic principles. As indicated in the prior post, the exact details are boat specific. 1. You will want to run all lines aft so that you do not have to leave the cockpit. 2. You will want some kind of tiller manager, to keep the tiller at a certain position for short periods. 3. You will want all you instruments (gps/compass/chart) visible and available to you in the cockpit. 4. You will want some kind of defence against falling overboard, ie pfd, harness, or trailing warps.
The most important two are:
I single hand my '79 Oday 23 quite a bit and the two most important improvements I made to make it comfortable to do so were: installation of roller furling and the installation of a tiller tamer. I still go to the mast to raise the main, but on a small boat like ours, I don't think that's a big deal at all. Roller furling is expensive (several hundred dollars for the unit plus recutting your standard jib), but it really beats going on the foredeck or even using a downhaul. I cannot tell you what a difference it makes in comfort while single handing. The tiller tamer costs less than $30 and really makes a huge difference too. I can set the thing and leave the helm long enough to raise the main. It works even better while under sail; I have been able to leave the helm untouched for 15 minutes at a time; plenty of time to go below for a kidney break, not to mention how easy it is to eat lunch or grab a drink while in the cockpit. If you want to lead all of your lines back to the cockpit, the 23 does not have a lot of cabin top room for line organizers, etc., but I remember that someone has done it and posted the pictures for it on this website. Check the archives. Good luck.
I single hand my '79 Oday 23 quite a bit and the two most important improvements I made to make it comfortable to do so were: installation of roller furling and the installation of a tiller tamer. I still go to the mast to raise the main, but on a small boat like ours, I don't think that's a big deal at all. Roller furling is expensive (several hundred dollars for the unit plus recutting your standard jib), but it really beats going on the foredeck or even using a downhaul. I cannot tell you what a difference it makes in comfort while single handing. The tiller tamer costs less than $30 and really makes a huge difference too. I can set the thing and leave the helm long enough to raise the main. It works even better while under sail; I have been able to leave the helm untouched for 15 minutes at a time; plenty of time to go below for a kidney break, not to mention how easy it is to eat lunch or grab a drink while in the cockpit. If you want to lead all of your lines back to the cockpit, the 23 does not have a lot of cabin top room for line organizers, etc., but I remember that someone has done it and posted the pictures for it on this website. Check the archives. Good luck.
Thanks
I appreciate the replies. The roller furling is on my list of this year's improvements. I was hoping someone had a few tips on how to deal with the limited space on the cabin top. I've seen the photos on this site and I'm sure his setup will work okay. Any thoughts on rope clutches vs. cleats? Do you think the halyards need a winch on my size boat?
I appreciate the replies. The roller furling is on my list of this year's improvements. I was hoping someone had a few tips on how to deal with the limited space on the cabin top. I've seen the photos on this site and I'm sure his setup will work okay. Any thoughts on rope clutches vs. cleats? Do you think the halyards need a winch on my size boat?
Singlehanding
Mark I am in the process of setting my 80' O'day 23 up for singlehanding. I've purchased just about everything I need to complete it on Ebay. A Schaeffer double block to route the halyards to a double organizer and a Lewmar clutch to mount on the coach roof. I think I will need to replace the halyards, not sure if they will reach the clutch with some to spare. Here's photo a came across maybe it will help. The photo shows a winch mounted on the back of the coach roof but I'm hoping I won't need it. The photo shows one halyard running between the handrail and hatch slide and the other routed through the first opening in the handrail. Good luck! Steve
Mark I am in the process of setting my 80' O'day 23 up for singlehanding. I've purchased just about everything I need to complete it on Ebay. A Schaeffer double block to route the halyards to a double organizer and a Lewmar clutch to mount on the coach roof. I think I will need to replace the halyards, not sure if they will reach the clutch with some to spare. Here's photo a came across maybe it will help. The photo shows a winch mounted on the back of the coach roof but I'm hoping I won't need it. The photo shows one halyard running between the handrail and hatch slide and the other routed through the first opening in the handrail. Good luck! Steve
tiller tamer
Mike , I hope u check your posts , I am interested in the tiller tamer you mentioned on , I believe your 23. I currently own a 26 and do solo quite often , the boat has roller furler so I do not have to go forward to raise lower or shorten sail and I do not mind raising the main sail from th base of the mast. What I find difficult is using the head or grabbing something to eat or drink , I would appreciate some input as to the tiller tamer you spoke of .
Mike , I hope u check your posts , I am interested in the tiller tamer you mentioned on , I believe your 23. I currently own a 26 and do solo quite often , the boat has roller furler so I do not have to go forward to raise lower or shorten sail and I do not mind raising the main sail from th base of the mast. What I find difficult is using the head or grabbing something to eat or drink , I would appreciate some input as to the tiller tamer you spoke of .
Jeff, the Tiller Tamer
Jeff, the Tiller Tamer is made by Davis Instruments and is available at West Marine/BoatUS or probably any decent-sized chandlery and I am sure over the internet from Defender. Here is a link to the product's website. It works great when the sails are balanced and seas are relatively flat. It's not an autopilot, but it works as advertised. I mounted mine on the underside of the tiller, which has probably saved the unit from a great deal of UV exposure. There are other similar devices on the market which are probably just as good if not better, but the Tiller Tamer has been a great value for me.
Jeff, the Tiller Tamer is made by Davis Instruments and is available at West Marine/BoatUS or probably any decent-sized chandlery and I am sure over the internet from Defender. Here is a link to the product's website. It works great when the sails are balanced and seas are relatively flat. It's not an autopilot, but it works as advertised. I mounted mine on the underside of the tiller, which has probably saved the unit from a great deal of UV exposure. There are other similar devices on the market which are probably just as good if not better, but the Tiller Tamer has been a great value for me.
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