Hi all - I am at the point of comfort that I want to try single handing my Catalina 22. What I have so far to make this feasible is 1) Lazy Jacks for dropping the main 2) Reefing capability without going forward 3)Salf Tailing Jib winches 4)Roller furling 4) Swim ladder. I am interested in anybody w/ experience using the Tammer that is available at Cat Direct ( or any other) and what advatages it has over a simple tiller extension. Any thoughts or experiences w/ Jack lines and using a harness? Finally we are docked in place with a fair amon=unt of current during fllod / ebb tides - Any way to prep the space? All correspondences are appreciated. Thanks C -22 Sail # 14988. (Tom)
- Status
single handing tips...
Tommy, you're pretty much ready to go... although I recommend a small autopilot if that's in your budget. You can lock the tiller with a couple lengths of rope or bungy, but an auto pilot will offer you that and so much more. Very important... buy a harness and tether, and wear it. I always wear mine when singlehanding, and I clip on as soon as I leave the slip. You don't need to rig jacklines for a daysail, it's easier to use a few secure points on the boat. I clip on to an windward, spare jib car or you can mount a folding padeye in the floor of the cockpit. Anyplace secure, that will allow you to reach everything in the cockpit. Staying attached to the boat is rule numero uno. I put the PFD on if the weather pipes up.. but hey, I'm in San Diego, how often does that happen. I often steer the boat standing up with the tiller between my knees, leaving both hands free to handle the lines when tacking or hoisting/dropping sails. It's nice having ST winches, I don't on my C27, but on any boat under 30 feet you shouldn't need them when sheeting in on a tack. If you stand when you tack you'll easily be able to cast off the old sheet abd tail in the new one by hand with a couple wraps on the winch drum. Novice sailors have a tendency to leave the handles in the winches, especially the ST type, so get in the habit of taking them out when you're by youself in case you have to make an emergency tack. Oh, and watch for the boom if you're standing! On a jibe, grab the mainsheet tackle and pull the boom across by hand asap, then you can concentrate on handling the jib and steering. I would recommend getting an adjustable tiller extension so you can move around in the cockpit or sit on the rail. Plus, the adjustable Forespar type has a coaming mounted bracket you can slip the ball handle into to lock the tiller. My biggest fear was getting in and out of the dock by myself. Once out in the open there is plenty of room for mistakes. Anyway, keep your boat hook handy in case you get too near another boat or a piling. Take your time to examine the wind and current before leaving the slip. The first time I got someone to watch me from the dock just in case. After a while I gained confidence to solo. My boat faces generally into the wind at the slip so I almost always raise the main before leaving the dock. Just slack out the sheet and traveler so the sail will weathervane till you need it... one less thing to do. I don't hoist the headsail till I'm ready to sail. If you're facing downwind or down current in your slip then backing out can cause some excitement as the wind/current will want to push the boat's nose back toward the dock before you can get straightened out in the fairway. My solution to that was to back out completely to the other side of the fairway before making my turn, this gave me enough leeway to get the boat turned and moving. On an upwind slip you start your turn as soon as you can clear the dock finger, again to provide plenty room to clear your neighbors. I think you just need to go for it and pick a calm day to start. Have fun.
Tommy, you're pretty much ready to go... although I recommend a small autopilot if that's in your budget. You can lock the tiller with a couple lengths of rope or bungy, but an auto pilot will offer you that and so much more. Very important... buy a harness and tether, and wear it. I always wear mine when singlehanding, and I clip on as soon as I leave the slip. You don't need to rig jacklines for a daysail, it's easier to use a few secure points on the boat. I clip on to an windward, spare jib car or you can mount a folding padeye in the floor of the cockpit. Anyplace secure, that will allow you to reach everything in the cockpit. Staying attached to the boat is rule numero uno. I put the PFD on if the weather pipes up.. but hey, I'm in San Diego, how often does that happen. I often steer the boat standing up with the tiller between my knees, leaving both hands free to handle the lines when tacking or hoisting/dropping sails. It's nice having ST winches, I don't on my C27, but on any boat under 30 feet you shouldn't need them when sheeting in on a tack. If you stand when you tack you'll easily be able to cast off the old sheet abd tail in the new one by hand with a couple wraps on the winch drum. Novice sailors have a tendency to leave the handles in the winches, especially the ST type, so get in the habit of taking them out when you're by youself in case you have to make an emergency tack. Oh, and watch for the boom if you're standing! On a jibe, grab the mainsheet tackle and pull the boom across by hand asap, then you can concentrate on handling the jib and steering. I would recommend getting an adjustable tiller extension so you can move around in the cockpit or sit on the rail. Plus, the adjustable Forespar type has a coaming mounted bracket you can slip the ball handle into to lock the tiller. My biggest fear was getting in and out of the dock by myself. Once out in the open there is plenty of room for mistakes. Anyway, keep your boat hook handy in case you get too near another boat or a piling. Take your time to examine the wind and current before leaving the slip. The first time I got someone to watch me from the dock just in case. After a while I gained confidence to solo. My boat faces generally into the wind at the slip so I almost always raise the main before leaving the dock. Just slack out the sheet and traveler so the sail will weathervane till you need it... one less thing to do. I don't hoist the headsail till I'm ready to sail. If you're facing downwind or down current in your slip then backing out can cause some excitement as the wind/current will want to push the boat's nose back toward the dock before you can get straightened out in the fairway. My solution to that was to back out completely to the other side of the fairway before making my turn, this gave me enough leeway to get the boat turned and moving. On an upwind slip you start your turn as soon as you can clear the dock finger, again to provide plenty room to clear your neighbors. I think you just need to go for it and pick a calm day to start. Have fun.
Tiller Tamer
Tommy: Yes the Tiller Tamer you mention works wonderfully well on my C22. Allows one to move forward when necessary as in anchoring, changing sails, working with the whisker pole, etc. Until you are comfortable with single handing, you might want to start out with your smaller jib sail and if wind is over 10 kts have a reef in the main when you start. Reefs are much easier to shake out than to place in the first place in a strong wind. Also, always wear your pfd and be cautious when moving about the deck. And your mast ought to be tuned so that the boat will round slowly windward if you drop the tiller unexpectedly. Sometimes when alone, I drag a 50 ft. floating line just in case I were to go overboard giving me a better chance to get back to the boarding ladder. Whatever, be sure you can deploy the ladder from in the water before you leave the dock. Dick K.
Tommy: Yes the Tiller Tamer you mention works wonderfully well on my C22. Allows one to move forward when necessary as in anchoring, changing sails, working with the whisker pole, etc. Until you are comfortable with single handing, you might want to start out with your smaller jib sail and if wind is over 10 kts have a reef in the main when you start. Reefs are much easier to shake out than to place in the first place in a strong wind. Also, always wear your pfd and be cautious when moving about the deck. And your mast ought to be tuned so that the boat will round slowly windward if you drop the tiller unexpectedly. Sometimes when alone, I drag a 50 ft. floating line just in case I were to go overboard giving me a better chance to get back to the boarding ladder. Whatever, be sure you can deploy the ladder from in the water before you leave the dock. Dick K.
docking single handed
You didn't mention what type of keel you have. Probably a swing, and if you have the water depth, leave it down when you're coming in. The boat won't "skid" as much when you make your turn into the dock. A spring line, left on the dock, that runs from the stern dock cleat to your winch, lets you make the turn into your slip, step (don't jump) onto the dock, grab the loop on the line, and then drop it over the winch. That will stop the boat if you've come in hot, and the forward momentum will pull it into the dock quit nicely, letting you get your bow and stern lines on at your leisure. Worst case is wind/current moving you away from your slip. Turn in such that your momentum is carrying your bow to a point two-thirds of the way into the slip, then make a hard turn at the last second, spinning your stern into the dock, off your go and grab the spring line as before. Best deal is "just do it" on easier days. Hardest thing for me single handing a C27 is getting at and adjusting the main sheet controls up there on the cabin top when it's reallly blowing. You won't have that problem on a C22. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
You didn't mention what type of keel you have. Probably a swing, and if you have the water depth, leave it down when you're coming in. The boat won't "skid" as much when you make your turn into the dock. A spring line, left on the dock, that runs from the stern dock cleat to your winch, lets you make the turn into your slip, step (don't jump) onto the dock, grab the loop on the line, and then drop it over the winch. That will stop the boat if you've come in hot, and the forward momentum will pull it into the dock quit nicely, letting you get your bow and stern lines on at your leisure. Worst case is wind/current moving you away from your slip. Turn in such that your momentum is carrying your bow to a point two-thirds of the way into the slip, then make a hard turn at the last second, spinning your stern into the dock, off your go and grab the spring line as before. Best deal is "just do it" on easier days. Hardest thing for me single handing a C27 is getting at and adjusting the main sheet controls up there on the cabin top when it's reallly blowing. You won't have that problem on a C22. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
- Status