Single Handing a Catalina 22
- Thread starter jbrosser
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It's kinda like cruising: go small, go now. Good for you for thinking of and wanting to try it. Actually, it turns out to be easier than you think. There's no one around telling you you're doing things wrong!
Single (?) most important bits of advice: just plan everything out step by step before you do it. Think ahead and minimize the amount of times you have to go from one side or one end to the other. Get everything ready first. Having the tiller tamer will be a great help.
You CAN do it.
Have fun.
You will feel a great sense of accomplishment.
You will wonder why you didn't do it before.
You will realize that you are the skipper and most likely have been doing MOST of it even with crew.
Single (?) most important bits of advice: just plan everything out step by step before you do it. Think ahead and minimize the amount of times you have to go from one side or one end to the other. Get everything ready first. Having the tiller tamer will be a great help.
You CAN do it.
Have fun.
You will feel a great sense of accomplishment.
You will wonder why you didn't do it before.
You will realize that you are the skipper and most likely have been doing MOST of it even with crew.
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Stu, thanks for the advice and encouragement. Li'l Addie is set up with Roller Furling and all lines do lead to the cockpit. So, that will make things a little easier. I appreciate your advice about thinking things through before heading out. I said "tiller tamer", but it's actually a tiller extension with the rubber fitting on one end. In a light wind, I'm hoping that will keep me pretty well on course while I raise the main. If you've had experience with the extension, I'd appreciate any advice along that line. Thanks again
All I had at the time was bungee cord - heck, they hadn't invented some of those new fangled thing-a-ma-bobs by then by cracky.
But boats don't change. Just take it slowly and deliberately.
Eventually something really big will get snafued.
You will, by at least anywhere from 2 hours to 3 weeks later, be able to make the very best story ever told.
Not a problem. I have been sailing for 3 yrs now, much of it single-handed. Admittedly, the autopilot I installed last year made things easier, but I did it with the tiller "holder" as you describe for a while. I do not have roller furling or lines led aft. That should really simplify things. In my case, I would don the autoinflate vest, motor into the wind with the tiller locked on center. Just enough power to maintain steerage. Use the motor to maintain heading. Go on deck, remove the bungees on main (after releasing pigtail and mainsheet) and raise mainsail. If the boat is heading off, return and adjust tiller/motor until back to windward (I also try to remain/return on the windward side if veering off, for safety). Raise jib. Back to cockpit. Sheet in main and jib, kill and raise motor, and have fun!
Hi, I have most of my lines leading aft.
I don't have the roller furling Jib so I installed a jib downhaul for those windy days.
What I do is raise the jib first though. She seems to head into the wind better with the jib up alone than with the main alone.
I agree with tying off the tiller. Doing this will slow the turning considerably but not stop it's tendency to veer off course, so if you do have to go forward, keep an eye on things (heading, wind and objects in your path.)
One thing I'd advise is making sure that you have quick access to anchoring or dock lines for securing your boat when necessary.
Sometimes a nice peaceful day on the water alone can be relaxing.
~bilbo
N.E. Ohio
I don't have the roller furling Jib so I installed a jib downhaul for those windy days.
What I do is raise the jib first though. She seems to head into the wind better with the jib up alone than with the main alone.
I agree with tying off the tiller. Doing this will slow the turning considerably but not stop it's tendency to veer off course, so if you do have to go forward, keep an eye on things (heading, wind and objects in your path.)
One thing I'd advise is making sure that you have quick access to anchoring or dock lines for securing your boat when necessary.
Sometimes a nice peaceful day on the water alone can be relaxing.
~bilbo
N.E. Ohio
Thanks Bilbo. It's been raining here all weekend, so I'll wait until better weather to go out on my own. All the great information has given me a lot of encouragement to move forward with going out alone. I'm looking forward to it and will post a note upon my return regarding what went right and what didn't. Thanks again.
Another question has come up that The Admiral has posed to me.
Regarding sail control, one sailor in our marina, suggested that I always have the main sheet in hand as I sit at the tiller. But when singlehanding, how do you coordinate controlling the main, releasing the jib and pulling the jib in on the other side during a tack? I know for most of you that your movements are automatic and you don't even think about them anymore. It's become such a simple thing when my wife and I are out together. I handle the helm and she handles the jib. If I could grow a couple of more arms, I be in good shape. But, when singlehanding, I'd like to know what the steps are in that process?
Regarding sail control, one sailor in our marina, suggested that I always have the main sheet in hand as I sit at the tiller. But when singlehanding, how do you coordinate controlling the main, releasing the jib and pulling the jib in on the other side during a tack? I know for most of you that your movements are automatic and you don't even think about them anymore. It's become such a simple thing when my wife and I are out together. I handle the helm and she handles the jib. If I could grow a couple of more arms, I be in good shape. But, when singlehanding, I'd like to know what the steps are in that process?
Think about it. From what you've said, you may already know the answer with your own experience. What I meant before about thinking ahead: YOU have to do it. If this forum wasn't here... OR, better yet, you could think it through, and then ask: "If I did this would this work?"
You only need to keep the mainsheet in hand when it's windy and gusty. Otherwise, cleat or cam cleat it off on the cam cleat at the bottom of the fiddle block. When you tack, you're going through the eye of the wind and the main is in tight. Cam cleat it off, tend to the jib sheets and tiller, then deal with the main and mainsheet after you've tacked.
PS
As we've mentioned to another respondent on this forum who also has some experience, there are some really good books and websites that have this pretty basic information. Sorry about the editorial, and we think you'll do well, but you really do need to do most of it yourself.
You only need to keep the mainsheet in hand when it's windy and gusty. Otherwise, cleat or cam cleat it off on the cam cleat at the bottom of the fiddle block. When you tack, you're going through the eye of the wind and the main is in tight. Cam cleat it off, tend to the jib sheets and tiller, then deal with the main and mainsheet after you've tacked.
PS
As we've mentioned to another respondent on this forum who also has some experience, there are some really good books and websites that have this pretty basic information. Sorry about the editorial, and we think you'll do well, but you really do need to do most of it yourself.
One little further thought
jb, I made th mistake of saying cleat off the mainsheet. Don't ever do that, ever!!! Really. Can't tell ya how many times I've capsized smaller boats by being lazy and doing that. That's why they put the cam cleat there, for a quick release.
You'll do great, having th einterest in wanting to do it is more than half the battle. And think, there are lotsa us who are SH bigger boats where ya can't reach everything from sitting in one place!
Have fun, I'm hoping for clear and nice weather for your "maiden solo voyage."
jb, I made th mistake of saying cleat off the mainsheet. Don't ever do that, ever!!! Really. Can't tell ya how many times I've capsized smaller boats by being lazy and doing that. That's why they put the cam cleat there, for a quick release.
You'll do great, having th einterest in wanting to do it is more than half the battle. And think, there are lotsa us who are SH bigger boats where ya can't reach everything from sitting in one place!
Have fun, I'm hoping for clear and nice weather for your "maiden solo voyage."
With regards to single-handing... I single-hand a lot, and even when my fiance' is on board, she has finally realized she can just relax and enjoy the ride.
The stock jam cleat provided for on the jibs is NOT ideal for single-handing. A huge improvement is to replace those with Qucik-release cleats or clutches for quicker release from across the cockpit. I currently use Spinlock PXR clutches, but recommend that if you elect to use those DO NOT use the Clutch's recommended max-size line for your sheets. From experience, the sheet is slow to move through the clutch; there is a lot of friction. I am considering moving to a more traditional cam cleat for my jib sheets, as I do not want to go to a smaller sheet...
Size your jib to the conditions so that the coaming-top winches are not necessary for tacking the jib. Not having your sheets spooled up makes for a quicker dump. With cam cleats, a quick snap of the sheet upwards is all it takes to de-power a jib.
When out in heavy air, my standard practice is to have the mainsheet in hand, with the jib sheet lying across my lap. If I heel too bad, and get that "uh-oh" feeling, I can quickly release the main, "pop it and drop it" and then pop the jib sheet.
Move as much control to the cockpit as possible. I have halyards, the vang, cunningham, and reefing all led aft. This keeps you from going to the mast or going forward.
Clutches in front of your cabin-top winches (if you are equipped that way) allows the winches to multi-task, as you can un-load them after grinding. Additionally, the quick action of the clutches, (flip a lever and let the line fly) is sure a nice way to drop a sail in a hurry. A downhaul will help get the jib down and help keep it down.
A well-thought-out update to the rigging is an excellent first step but it is a tiny part of it. Go out and PRACTICE it all, raising sail, dropping sail, reefing, tacking, and get real familiar with your new rig so that it becomes second-nature. Familiarity breed confidence and will help you out a lot. Besides, practicing is sailing, huh?
The stock jam cleat provided for on the jibs is NOT ideal for single-handing. A huge improvement is to replace those with Qucik-release cleats or clutches for quicker release from across the cockpit. I currently use Spinlock PXR clutches, but recommend that if you elect to use those DO NOT use the Clutch's recommended max-size line for your sheets. From experience, the sheet is slow to move through the clutch; there is a lot of friction. I am considering moving to a more traditional cam cleat for my jib sheets, as I do not want to go to a smaller sheet...
Size your jib to the conditions so that the coaming-top winches are not necessary for tacking the jib. Not having your sheets spooled up makes for a quicker dump. With cam cleats, a quick snap of the sheet upwards is all it takes to de-power a jib.
When out in heavy air, my standard practice is to have the mainsheet in hand, with the jib sheet lying across my lap. If I heel too bad, and get that "uh-oh" feeling, I can quickly release the main, "pop it and drop it" and then pop the jib sheet.
Move as much control to the cockpit as possible. I have halyards, the vang, cunningham, and reefing all led aft. This keeps you from going to the mast or going forward.
Clutches in front of your cabin-top winches (if you are equipped that way) allows the winches to multi-task, as you can un-load them after grinding. Additionally, the quick action of the clutches, (flip a lever and let the line fly) is sure a nice way to drop a sail in a hurry. A downhaul will help get the jib down and help keep it down.
A well-thought-out update to the rigging is an excellent first step but it is a tiny part of it. Go out and PRACTICE it all, raising sail, dropping sail, reefing, tacking, and get real familiar with your new rig so that it becomes second-nature. Familiarity breed confidence and will help you out a lot. Besides, practicing is sailing, huh?
More info for you
From Royce's Sailing Illustrated, C22 singlehanded and safe rigging ideas.
From Royce's Sailing Illustrated, C22 singlehanded and safe rigging ideas.
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I think that this is a good thread guys. Some great info here. I think that much depends upon the conditions, wind gusts, points of sail, water conditions and location.
A few other ideas to consider.
Know the use of the jib cars and the main sail controls. If the winds are up or gusty, move the cars back and loosen the boom vang a bit to induce some twist and keep the center of effort on the sails low.
Relative to the sheet lines, I've sailed with both in hand. My tiller hand has the main sheet and my other hand has the jib if the winds are slightly iffy. I keep both cleated if I'm comfortable about the wind conditions but if I get suspicious, I may have the jib uncleated so that I can let it loose. I gauge the situation first upon the weather reports but I don't fully trust them as wind direction and speed is often not correctly reported around here. At the lake, I start out on the conservative side. (Sails set with twist and not too tightly sheeted, for example). This is so that I get acclimated to the feel of the boat and the wind gusts. Out there I watch the lake surface and the other sailboats whenever possible for their situation. One thing that I've noticed about gusts are that they come from a different direction than the steady part of the wind and another is that the gusts often come in two sections. The first isn't as strong as the second part of the gust. If you do have a sudden gust try not to let the jib sheet completely go because it can go right through the jib car and begin to tangle around everything out there from the stays to the other jib sheet. Clearing that mess would involve going forward and you don't want that.
For the main, I tend to have it more conservatively set. More twist, vang loose and the boom probably low w/traveler on the mid to low side in higher winds. If it's nasty, I may have some of the mainsail luff collapsed a bit. If I'm thinking about a reef in the main, I generally do it and this consideration is why I often start with jib alone when I first go out.
Also depending on the situation, Since your chances aren't very good that the boat will come around and pick you up if you fall overboard, you should consider your life jacket and a life line tether. Some people suggest dragging a long line behind the boat to grab if you fall overboard but that may not be so easy to catch & to hold. Depending upon location, you may want to check your required safety equipment. Radios, flares, first aid, and such are a necessity. Lastly, Consider telling someone where you are going and your schedule so that if you turn up missing they can send out a search party...for the boat ;-) j/k.
A few other ideas to consider.
Know the use of the jib cars and the main sail controls. If the winds are up or gusty, move the cars back and loosen the boom vang a bit to induce some twist and keep the center of effort on the sails low.
Relative to the sheet lines, I've sailed with both in hand. My tiller hand has the main sheet and my other hand has the jib if the winds are slightly iffy. I keep both cleated if I'm comfortable about the wind conditions but if I get suspicious, I may have the jib uncleated so that I can let it loose. I gauge the situation first upon the weather reports but I don't fully trust them as wind direction and speed is often not correctly reported around here. At the lake, I start out on the conservative side. (Sails set with twist and not too tightly sheeted, for example). This is so that I get acclimated to the feel of the boat and the wind gusts. Out there I watch the lake surface and the other sailboats whenever possible for their situation. One thing that I've noticed about gusts are that they come from a different direction than the steady part of the wind and another is that the gusts often come in two sections. The first isn't as strong as the second part of the gust. If you do have a sudden gust try not to let the jib sheet completely go because it can go right through the jib car and begin to tangle around everything out there from the stays to the other jib sheet. Clearing that mess would involve going forward and you don't want that.
For the main, I tend to have it more conservatively set. More twist, vang loose and the boom probably low w/traveler on the mid to low side in higher winds. If it's nasty, I may have some of the mainsail luff collapsed a bit. If I'm thinking about a reef in the main, I generally do it and this consideration is why I often start with jib alone when I first go out.
Also depending on the situation, Since your chances aren't very good that the boat will come around and pick you up if you fall overboard, you should consider your life jacket and a life line tether. Some people suggest dragging a long line behind the boat to grab if you fall overboard but that may not be so easy to catch & to hold. Depending upon location, you may want to check your required safety equipment. Radios, flares, first aid, and such are a necessity. Lastly, Consider telling someone where you are going and your schedule so that if you turn up missing they can send out a search party...for the boat ;-) j/k.
Two Handed Single Handing
JB: Perhaps major concern is falling overboard and having boat sail off into sunset without you. So be careful and be sure to wear that PFD!
I made a mistake this summer while single-handing. Had set whisker pole and was on wing-and-wing going great in about an 8 knot wind. Then the wind strengthened to maybe 20 and things got dicey as I was almost on plane. My protected cove was about 1/3 mile further downstream and end of lake was another 3 miles. Would have been easy to carry onward till I rounded a point in about a mile, or would have been easy to take down whisker pole if I had a crewmember. But it looked like more exciting if I were to pull in mainsheet, jibe, and let out main sheet quickly till things settled down so that I could go forward and remove the whisker whild "tiller tamer" did its job. In the middle of this, a gust with a new vector hit and I got the main jammed in its cleat, so we broached in mid-jibe. Rail was right at water level before I got the the main loose. Besides a deflated ego, the whisker pole bent into an L when it hit the water. Later, repaired whisker pole with an internal broomstick and external fiberglass wrap. Repaired ego by getting right back on the "horse" and sailing smarter (i.e. being real sure main is not in jam cleat when things are tough)! RK
JB: Perhaps major concern is falling overboard and having boat sail off into sunset without you. So be careful and be sure to wear that PFD!
I made a mistake this summer while single-handing. Had set whisker pole and was on wing-and-wing going great in about an 8 knot wind. Then the wind strengthened to maybe 20 and things got dicey as I was almost on plane. My protected cove was about 1/3 mile further downstream and end of lake was another 3 miles. Would have been easy to carry onward till I rounded a point in about a mile, or would have been easy to take down whisker pole if I had a crewmember. But it looked like more exciting if I were to pull in mainsheet, jibe, and let out main sheet quickly till things settled down so that I could go forward and remove the whisker whild "tiller tamer" did its job. In the middle of this, a gust with a new vector hit and I got the main jammed in its cleat, so we broached in mid-jibe. Rail was right at water level before I got the the main loose. Besides a deflated ego, the whisker pole bent into an L when it hit the water. Later, repaired whisker pole with an internal broomstick and external fiberglass wrap. Repaired ego by getting right back on the "horse" and sailing smarter (i.e. being real sure main is not in jam cleat when things are tough)! RK
RK, I'm glad you came through that situation allright. So much to learn. I don't plan on even attempting singlehanding unless the day is light wind with no signs of anything else. I know that with experience my confidence level will increase.
I bought an inflatable pfd that I'll wear. Some have suggested using a tether. I'm not opposed to that even though most, if not all, of my operation will be handled from the cockpit. But, you never know. Regarding a tether, is that nothing more than a line tied from the pfd to a point on the boat or should I purchase something designed for that?
Where should I tie it down on the boat?
I bought an inflatable pfd that I'll wear. Some have suggested using a tether. I'm not opposed to that even though most, if not all, of my operation will be handled from the cockpit. But, you never know. Regarding a tether, is that nothing more than a line tied from the pfd to a point on the boat or should I purchase something designed for that?
Where should I tie it down on the boat?
re/tether
JB: I rigged my attachment point to a strong ring made for that purpose which I mounted just below where you step into the cabin (ring on the cockpit side), with a solid wood backing placed on the inside. And I have a harness and tether (and the ring) purchased from West Marine for this purpose. Also could use lines crisscrossing front to back if I want to move forward. Got these for night sailing, though so far have not been in situation to use it. I would only use a tether if I thought it was real solid, otherwise a false sense of security may be worse than none. RK
JB: I rigged my attachment point to a strong ring made for that purpose which I mounted just below where you step into the cabin (ring on the cockpit side), with a solid wood backing placed on the inside. And I have a harness and tether (and the ring) purchased from West Marine for this purpose. Also could use lines crisscrossing front to back if I want to move forward. Got these for night sailing, though so far have not been in situation to use it. I would only use a tether if I thought it was real solid, otherwise a false sense of security may be worse than none. RK
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