Recently finished an ASA 106 class through the Maryland School of Sailing. The topic of single handing came up in conversation. A fellow classmate stated that he did not like single handing and avoided sailing that way at all cost. My comment to him was that he would become a stronger sailor by spending some time on a small keel boat single handing. What are the advantages and disadvantages of single handing as a way to gain sailing skills?
Single Handed
- Thread starter Raven34
- Start date
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,771
Single Handed Sailing means you need to be thinking well ahead of the boat experience. You need to anticipate and act sooner rather than later or...
Disadvantage
1. You can quickly become overwhelmed by the tasks of sailing and forget you need to control the boat.
Disadvantage
1. You can quickly become overwhelmed by the tasks of sailing and forget you need to control the boat.
I am new to sailing and have a catalina 22 MK II. Previously I had a twin engine cruiser and did a lot of my motor cruising single handed. Now sailing, I almost always go out single-handed. Lots to learn but do-able, with some minor disasters, especially on Lake Dillon where the wind shifts intensity and direction consistently. Notwithstanding, I find it quite enjoyable ...
Like many things in life much of this is comfort and confidence. If you don't like single handling or lack the confidence in you and your boats ability it will be hard. This is not a knock on anyone's ability or skills but a reality we face in all life.
Now, as we become more confident in our skills and comfortable with our boat we will begin to gain the skills and confidence to single handle things. When I first started sailing 20 years ago on small keel boats the thought of single handling a 41' ketch would have never crossed my mind. Now some 20+ years, later I am preparing to possibly sail single handed from San Francisco to LA. I'll take all the right precautions and be prepared but otherwise it's just a long day sail (ok several days) sailing
You mentioned that you just finished up your classes, you now have the basics, and will learn lots everytimeyou go out. So will your friend. Will he ever change his mind? Who know's, if he keeps sailing and always has crew maybe he won't need to. Either way, enjoy, learn and sail on, sailing is almost never about the destination but always about the journey.
Fair winds,
Capt. Vic
Now, as we become more confident in our skills and comfortable with our boat we will begin to gain the skills and confidence to single handle things. When I first started sailing 20 years ago on small keel boats the thought of single handling a 41' ketch would have never crossed my mind. Now some 20+ years, later I am preparing to possibly sail single handed from San Francisco to LA. I'll take all the right precautions and be prepared but otherwise it's just a long day sail (ok several days) sailing
You mentioned that you just finished up your classes, you now have the basics, and will learn lots everytimeyou go out. So will your friend. Will he ever change his mind? Who know's, if he keeps sailing and always has crew maybe he won't need to. Either way, enjoy, learn and sail on, sailing is almost never about the destination but always about the journey.
Fair winds,
Capt. Vic
Been sailing solo since purchasing Belle-Vie in 2002. Many extended (two month+) cruises covering thousands of miles in most sea states all over PNW waters. Always a risk, but as John says, pay attention to conditions, anticipate and prepare for the boat's response to those conditions. Reef when you feel the time is right, do what the boat wants to do due to wind and/or current pressure.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,771
Single Handed sailing tests your skills.
Advantage.
While others are tied to the dock waiting till anyone will come down and untie the lines, you already have the lines draped on the boat and are jumping aboard pulling out from the slip and seeking the fair winds that carry you to adventure.
There are important skills to learn early.
Advantage.
While others are tied to the dock waiting till anyone will come down and untie the lines, you already have the lines draped on the boat and are jumping aboard pulling out from the slip and seeking the fair winds that carry you to adventure.
There are important skills to learn early.
- How to dock with out a crew. You need to get away from the dock with out hitting other boats, and how to come back into the dock with out hitting other boats and destroying your own boat. Docking skills can be learned. It helps to have a plan. I have found the "Stern Bridle" technique a good tool for single handed docking. Learn it with a crew then do it solo. It works in most conditions. But when no other options are available drive your boat into the dock and tie off. One thing that is certain, a single handed boat has scuff marks. Our boats are pretty tough.
I'd much rather sail with someone else aboard, BUT
I single handed my boat from Mobjack Bay, around to Port Lavaca Texas, including a partial gulf crossing, and recently made a single hand trip from here to Pensacola Florida and return.
I had very little trouble, although parts weren't all that pleasant
Still, I'd rather have company!!
I single handed my boat from Mobjack Bay, around to Port Lavaca Texas, including a partial gulf crossing, and recently made a single hand trip from here to Pensacola Florida and return.
I had very little trouble, although parts weren't all that pleasant
Still, I'd rather have company!!
And many times, even when someone is there with you, you are doing it all by yourself anyway.
Think about it...
It's FUN!.
Plan Ahea
d
I tell my infrequent guests that sailing solo is like playing chess - you always have to think two or three maneuvers ahead.
On average, I get to practice docking and undocking solo 50+ times each a season. As a result, I have become a much better boat driver in close quarters. I have two spring lines that are ALWAYS the first two dock lines I pick up in my slip. Once those are made up, I can shut down the engine and grab the other dock lines in slow time. And, as @jssailem points out, I have scuffs on the sides to prove it!
On average, I get to practice docking and undocking solo 50+ times each a season. As a result, I have become a much better boat driver in close quarters. I have two spring lines that are ALWAYS the first two dock lines I pick up in my slip. Once those are made up, I can shut down the engine and grab the other dock lines in slow time. And, as @jssailem points out, I have scuffs on the sides to prove it!
I can tell you from my current predicament that no one should ever single hand sail a keel boat. I am eight weeks out from a shoulder operation and my predominate hand is useless! Even with Otto steering I can't pull on sheets fast enough single handed nor can I tail and winch. I don't know why any of you lunatics would even consider this type of sailing. It just dawned on me that your talking about being on the boat alone, sorry. Must be the drugs talking.
It is a much different experience single handing than being out with friends. You have a much higher sense of awareness what is going on around you. What others say is true as you start to think several moves ahead and also look at any possible scenarios and how you would deal with them.
My first single handed experience was in FL aboard my old Irwin. I had my boat for several years and was very comfortable in it. A friend of a friend wanted stock sailboat pics so any boat that went out that day got photographed and we got to keep the pics. After getting out on the bay I realized I was terrified to be out by myself even though I have been out many times with others. I got a lot of razzing that day and calls on the VHF to take off that silly orange life vest. Vest remained on. I did not realize the difference from being out with others vs by myself.
After moving north I single hand almost always and find it a different kind of fun. It is much more cerebral and challenging and much more in tune with sailing and the sea. YMMV.
My first single handed experience was in FL aboard my old Irwin. I had my boat for several years and was very comfortable in it. A friend of a friend wanted stock sailboat pics so any boat that went out that day got photographed and we got to keep the pics. After getting out on the bay I realized I was terrified to be out by myself even though I have been out many times with others. I got a lot of razzing that day and calls on the VHF to take off that silly orange life vest. Vest remained on. I did not realize the difference from being out with others vs by myself.
After moving north I single hand almost always and find it a different kind of fun. It is much more cerebral and challenging and much more in tune with sailing and the sea. YMMV.
I always go out with others, but usually am the one who does it all. I like the company, but they don't often have any sailing skills. I've moved the boat alone, but that's not my preference. I view it as single-handed with the added responsibility of having guests. I need to plan what I'm doing, but also need to communicate my intentions and provide some instructions to keep them safe.
Ken
Ken
Honest question here based on this ^^^^ paragraph:
WHY???
If one is the skipper, shouldn't this be the natural way of things ALL THE TIME, no more or less with anyone else on board? And as others have said --- with "passengers" does not the skipper have a heightened level of responsibility? Or the same?
What do you folks think?
Actually I think sailing with inexperienced passengers who want to help is harder than sailing alone. When it is just me I plan ahead but don't have to explain to myself all the steps involved two or three times. I do prefer the company when sailing with others. My wife is great on board. She knows enough to be very helpful when I need it but is also content many times to just relax and let me sail the boat.
Most people think i'm an a-hole, so it's not like I have a choice.
Good book on this:
Singlehanded Sailing by Andrew Evans
https://itun.es/us/t6UK2.l
I used to sail singlehanded in Maine. I found the autopilot that I installed myself kept me from feeling like a one-armed wallpaper hanger.
Older and wiser here in Arizona, I always take someone with me. As others have said, it's much more fun to have someone to talk to. (And they keep me out of trouble.)
Even so, I still use Evan's docking routine: dock lines and fenders stay on the dock. Auxiliary ones kept in the lazarette.
Singlehanded Sailing by Andrew Evans
https://itun.es/us/t6UK2.l
I used to sail singlehanded in Maine. I found the autopilot that I installed myself kept me from feeling like a one-armed wallpaper hanger.
Older and wiser here in Arizona, I always take someone with me. As others have said, it's much more fun to have someone to talk to. (And they keep me out of trouble.)
Even so, I still use Evan's docking routine: dock lines and fenders stay on the dock. Auxiliary ones kept in the lazarette.
One of my greatest thrills in life was at the age of 14 my dad sent me out alone on a 14 ft Snipe on Lake Michigan. I went out so far he engaged a power boat to bring him out and ask if I was OK. I said yes and he went back to shore.
Today, at age 68 with a 22 ft keel sail boat I still get the feeling when I go out alone. With passengers or crew I am more focused on their welfare and their executing responsibilities. I just don't enjoy it as much as being alone. They do add a degree of safety in the event of a serious injury or sickness. As long as I'm healthy and cautious I'm willing to take that risk.
Today, at age 68 with a 22 ft keel sail boat I still get the feeling when I go out alone. With passengers or crew I am more focused on their welfare and their executing responsibilities. I just don't enjoy it as much as being alone. They do add a degree of safety in the event of a serious injury or sickness. As long as I'm healthy and cautious I'm willing to take that risk.
It's a common misunderstanding that bigger boats are more difficult to sail solo. At some point, I think I would agree due to strength, but for the most part larger boats have more conveniences. I remember sailing solo on a 22-foot day sailor with a tiller. I raised the mainsail at the dock and was constantly concerned about being over-powered. I had to stay at the tiller constantly, so sail adjustments were hurried. I would not consider anything on the foredeck. Now I sail my Catalina 36 solo and have a great time. Otto steers for me when I adjust sails. I go below for a snack or head break. Winches and lazy-jacks handle sails almost effortlessly. The only thing more difficult is docking, but as you guys said: a few fenders, a V-nest at my dock, and not cringing at scuff marks makes it all better.
I had a chat with the owner of a much larger Catalina recently. He stepped up through the Catalina line, and said it's much easier to single-hand his 44 than my boat because of all the conveniences and power-assist stuff. Maybe in a few years ....