Hi Cap'ns. A query from a swab trying to move up... I own a '78 Catalina 30, standard rig. At some point the tiller was converted to a wheel which is all of about 10" from the aft lazerette and a good 3' from the main winch (almost typed "wench", sorry recent breakup ;-), 2'+ from the jib winches. After sailing for about a yr with my (now ex) sailmate, I'm now single-handing. I'm finding this a snitch challenging, even with rollerfurl on the jib. Dock advise points to an buying an autopilot, mainly to attend to the wheel whilst I'm elsewhere. At $900, this is a pricey solution. Any advice or techniques out there for dealing with the wheel and sails being so distance? Toe excercises? Arm extensions? I've essentially been relying on turning into the wind and blowing the jib until I can trim the main. Pretty cumbsome with one foot on the wheel. Also, any docking tricks related to dealing with dock lines? Thanks!
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LaDonna Bubak - Planet Catalina
Go back to tiller?
With such a cumbersome setup (who did that?!!), have you thought about a return to tiller? You can buy a $15 tiller tamer for those tacking and have a better feel for what's going on with the rudder in the meantime. I have a tiller and use it occasionally but there's really not a whole lot of need for one on the Columbia if you're only daysailing. If you're planning any longer cruises (say to Beacon Rock or Astoria) you might look at an autopilot cuz they can be a life (or at least arm) saver! LaDonna
With such a cumbersome setup (who did that?!!), have you thought about a return to tiller? You can buy a $15 tiller tamer for those tacking and have a better feel for what's going on with the rudder in the meantime. I have a tiller and use it occasionally but there's really not a whole lot of need for one on the Columbia if you're only daysailing. If you're planning any longer cruises (say to Beacon Rock or Astoria) you might look at an autopilot cuz they can be a life (or at least arm) saver! LaDonna
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jchealey
TILLER!!!!!
I agree with LaDonna,Convert back to a tiller,I have no problem single handing my tiller steered c-30,although i did move my traveller to the cabin roof so all my control were in front of me and within reach.
I agree with LaDonna,Convert back to a tiller,I have no problem single handing my tiller steered c-30,although i did move my traveller to the cabin roof so all my control were in front of me and within reach.
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Steve W
lock the wheel, adjust the sails, then unlock and
fall off. I single hand most of the time and using the wheel lock helps a lot in dealing with the sails. If you don't have an adjustable wheel lock, kits are available. You might experiment with bungee cords or lines tied to the wheel before you invest in a wheel locking system. Good Luck.
fall off. I single hand most of the time and using the wheel lock helps a lot in dealing with the sails. If you don't have an adjustable wheel lock, kits are available. You might experiment with bungee cords or lines tied to the wheel before you invest in a wheel locking system. Good Luck.
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Alan Bier
Don't Worry, Be Happy
Much of my anxiety over this problem is overcome when one realizes that if you're alone, there's no reason on earth that it has to look pretty. I have an autopilot, but at least 50% of the time I don't use it when coming about or triming the sails. Coming about, don't worry about the main, it takes care of itself during the maneuver. Stand in front of the pedestal (you can still turn the wheel, you know, standing in front!!). Get the windward genny sheet one or two turns around the winch (or wench), undo the leeward sheet. Turn that wheel and as she comes to the wind let go of the leeward sheet, grab the other sheet and pull in the slack. Note that letting go of the wheel intermittently to let you mess with the sheets won't significantly affect the maneuver once the main comes around. It's now possible to sit on the new leeward side and crank the genny in with one hand while the other hand is on the wheel. If not, let go of the wheel intermittently while you crank. When all done, sit back, relax, take a deep breath, and decide when exactly you'll be ready to trim the main which, again, is done by letting go of the wheel intermittently or using the wheel brake (works good too). Again, all of this may not look pretty, but it works. Not to be attempted while racing or within striking distance of another boat! Once you master this, then worry about your real problem (at least its my real problem single handing) and that's getting that boat into the dock with a minimum of damage - especially if the wind is tricky. This is going to sound terrible, but realizing that the boat is only under my control when it has forward motion, I've given up using reverse to stop the boat when I'm by myself at the dock - more often than not it's when you throw her into reverse to stop her that the bow and stern start to do funny things. In my case the stern pulls away from the dock and if the wind is also blowing in that direction you can get into trouble. My inflatable dinghy is tied to the dock in front where the bow will be coming in on my return (one large mother fender) and I have a dock wheel at the aft corner of the dock. I come in as slow as possible (creeping in with it in neutral - as long as its moving I have some control), I get off the boat with a long bow lline and a stern line in hand. As the boat starts to hit the dinghy (my large fender in front!) I tie the bow line around a cleat thats at about midships on the dock to stop the forward motion, holding the stern line to keep the stern from getting too far out - if necessary you hook the stern line under the same cleat. A tip - since the bow line is long so that you have in the cockpit with you, take steps to keep it from going overboard where it will tangle in the prop, stop the engine, and leave you helpless in the marina (been there, done that). When the smoke clears, you stop sweating, your heart rate gets below 120, and everyone on the dock stops laughing at you, you make your final adjustments. Any Help?, Alan Bier One More Hour, C30, 3593
Much of my anxiety over this problem is overcome when one realizes that if you're alone, there's no reason on earth that it has to look pretty. I have an autopilot, but at least 50% of the time I don't use it when coming about or triming the sails. Coming about, don't worry about the main, it takes care of itself during the maneuver. Stand in front of the pedestal (you can still turn the wheel, you know, standing in front!!). Get the windward genny sheet one or two turns around the winch (or wench), undo the leeward sheet. Turn that wheel and as she comes to the wind let go of the leeward sheet, grab the other sheet and pull in the slack. Note that letting go of the wheel intermittently to let you mess with the sheets won't significantly affect the maneuver once the main comes around. It's now possible to sit on the new leeward side and crank the genny in with one hand while the other hand is on the wheel. If not, let go of the wheel intermittently while you crank. When all done, sit back, relax, take a deep breath, and decide when exactly you'll be ready to trim the main which, again, is done by letting go of the wheel intermittently or using the wheel brake (works good too). Again, all of this may not look pretty, but it works. Not to be attempted while racing or within striking distance of another boat! Once you master this, then worry about your real problem (at least its my real problem single handing) and that's getting that boat into the dock with a minimum of damage - especially if the wind is tricky. This is going to sound terrible, but realizing that the boat is only under my control when it has forward motion, I've given up using reverse to stop the boat when I'm by myself at the dock - more often than not it's when you throw her into reverse to stop her that the bow and stern start to do funny things. In my case the stern pulls away from the dock and if the wind is also blowing in that direction you can get into trouble. My inflatable dinghy is tied to the dock in front where the bow will be coming in on my return (one large mother fender) and I have a dock wheel at the aft corner of the dock. I come in as slow as possible (creeping in with it in neutral - as long as its moving I have some control), I get off the boat with a long bow lline and a stern line in hand. As the boat starts to hit the dinghy (my large fender in front!) I tie the bow line around a cleat thats at about midships on the dock to stop the forward motion, holding the stern line to keep the stern from getting too far out - if necessary you hook the stern line under the same cleat. A tip - since the bow line is long so that you have in the cockpit with you, take steps to keep it from going overboard where it will tangle in the prop, stop the engine, and leave you helpless in the marina (been there, done that). When the smoke clears, you stop sweating, your heart rate gets below 120, and everyone on the dock stops laughing at you, you make your final adjustments. Any Help?, Alan Bier One More Hour, C30, 3593
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Robert Moretti
Spring line as a stopper
I'm also new to singlehanding the Catalina 30. Like you, I've learned to avoid using reverse when going into my slip, because the prop walk pulls the stern away from the pier. A friend of mine rigged a simple solution for me. It is simply a very long spring line, attached at the bow, and with an eye at the stern. The line is precisely measured, so that when it is slipped onto the aft-most cleat on the slip pier, the bow of the boat cannot hit the front of the dock. The line is made of 1/4 inch 3-strand dock line, so it has a good amount of stretch, and the boat does not come to a jarring halt. I come into the slip very slowly, and jump off just before the cockpit area reaches the place where the aft-most cleat on the pier is located. My first move is to put this spring line's eye on the aft-most cleat on the pier. Now I know I am essentially safe for a few moments: the boat will stop without any damage. Next, I tie the stern line on top of the cleat where I put the spring line eye, to keep the stern in. Finally, I have a long bow line draped in loops over the lifeline. I simply walk to it, grab it, and pull the bow close, and tie it. Done! And it even looks smooth most of the time!
I'm also new to singlehanding the Catalina 30. Like you, I've learned to avoid using reverse when going into my slip, because the prop walk pulls the stern away from the pier. A friend of mine rigged a simple solution for me. It is simply a very long spring line, attached at the bow, and with an eye at the stern. The line is precisely measured, so that when it is slipped onto the aft-most cleat on the slip pier, the bow of the boat cannot hit the front of the dock. The line is made of 1/4 inch 3-strand dock line, so it has a good amount of stretch, and the boat does not come to a jarring halt. I come into the slip very slowly, and jump off just before the cockpit area reaches the place where the aft-most cleat on the pier is located. My first move is to put this spring line's eye on the aft-most cleat on the pier. Now I know I am essentially safe for a few moments: the boat will stop without any damage. Next, I tie the stern line on top of the cleat where I put the spring line eye, to keep the stern in. Finally, I have a long bow line draped in loops over the lifeline. I simply walk to it, grab it, and pull the bow close, and tie it. Done! And it even looks smooth most of the time!
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Bob Robeson
Single handed
Our 36 has a wheel and that is the way I like it, boat have tiller, yachts have wheels, hehe. Any way our 36 is not set up ofr single hankded sailing as I can not reach the jib winches or the main sail sheet from the helm. so: Get an autopilot, it is the primary helmsman and you are free to work the sails. Some pilots like Raytheon have autotack features, so at a touch of a button it tacks the boat, you just work the sails. This works perfect Good luck Bob
Our 36 has a wheel and that is the way I like it, boat have tiller, yachts have wheels, hehe. Any way our 36 is not set up ofr single hankded sailing as I can not reach the jib winches or the main sail sheet from the helm. so: Get an autopilot, it is the primary helmsman and you are free to work the sails. Some pilots like Raytheon have autotack features, so at a touch of a button it tacks the boat, you just work the sails. This works perfect Good luck Bob
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