I am looking for any watch outs/advice conserning single handing a Hunter 23. I have been sailing for the last 5 years but only smaller single sail boats. I assume that you need to lash the tiller when going forward, but I have also been told that you really don't need to? Any help/or advice would be greatly appreciated! You can E-mail me at del@effectnet.com Thanks!
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Going forward
Del I have a H240. I single hand it all the time. If I go forward usually I just uncleate both the main and the jib so that they are luffing while I take care of what ever needs attention. I have lashed the tiller several times while sailing, but the effectiveness depends on the wind strength and the point of sail you are on.
Del I have a H240. I single hand it all the time. If I go forward usually I just uncleate both the main and the jib so that they are luffing while I take care of what ever needs attention. I have lashed the tiller several times while sailing, but the effectiveness depends on the wind strength and the point of sail you are on.
Halyards
Del; You did not mention if the halyards were led aft or not. IF not, then I would recommend that you do so in order to raise and lower the sails from the cockpit. At that point, you will be in a better position to single hand your boat.
Del; You did not mention if the halyards were led aft or not. IF not, then I would recommend that you do so in order to raise and lower the sails from the cockpit. At that point, you will be in a better position to single hand your boat.
Unreachable!
I single-hand a H23.5 but it's certainly easier since I bought an ST-1000+ autopilot. Catalina seems to bring everything to the cockpit better than Hunter does. Hunter boats have a neat, uncluttered cockpit but the winches and, halyards, and jib-sheet are out of reach. I was like a one-armed paper-hanger flailing away in the cockpit. The autopilot and a down-haul on the jib make things much more civilized. Now, I can even go forward to change the jib, if necessary. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
I single-hand a H23.5 but it's certainly easier since I bought an ST-1000+ autopilot. Catalina seems to bring everything to the cockpit better than Hunter does. Hunter boats have a neat, uncluttered cockpit but the winches and, halyards, and jib-sheet are out of reach. I was like a one-armed paper-hanger flailing away in the cockpit. The autopilot and a down-haul on the jib make things much more civilized. Now, I can even go forward to change the jib, if necessary. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
Singlehanding a 23
I occasionally single hand my 23. On my boats, all the halyards are still factory original - not led aft to the cockpit. I use a tiller tamer, get the boat headed in the approximate direction (into the wind), scramble forward to raise the mainsail, run back to the cockpit to correct my course, run forward to raise the jib, return to the cockpit, shut down the motor and, finally, settle down to sail. It is busy, and can get intense if the weather is breezy. When returning, I do the same, starting with lowering the jib. Be sure to wear a PFD (no matter what the weather), with all the climbing around, and nobody else on the boat, you don't want to sink if you do fall overboard.
I occasionally single hand my 23. On my boats, all the halyards are still factory original - not led aft to the cockpit. I use a tiller tamer, get the boat headed in the approximate direction (into the wind), scramble forward to raise the mainsail, run back to the cockpit to correct my course, run forward to raise the jib, return to the cockpit, shut down the motor and, finally, settle down to sail. It is busy, and can get intense if the weather is breezy. When returning, I do the same, starting with lowering the jib. Be sure to wear a PFD (no matter what the weather), with all the climbing around, and nobody else on the boat, you don't want to sink if you do fall overboard.
Do it right
My experience says that any single-hander should only attempt to single hand the boat if he can reach everything without leaving the cockpit. In the case of the Hunter this means spending some cash on parts instead of spending it on cigars. I have more than my fair share of single handing with quests, small children and byself. If you asked me the following are absolute necessities: (1) run the halyards to the cockpit. Install a winch and rope clutches. Just do it and get it overwith. (2) Roller furler. You don't want to hear it but the H23 needs this and I don't think it is optional for single handing. Roller furlers let you reef quickly and safely. Most small boats (under 30') just don't have enough under the waterline to provide the margin for safety as a single-hander that you need. The H23 is no exception (3) cam cleats for timming the jib instead of cleats. It is ridicuolus to have to go the low side of the boat to release a sheet. (4) jiffing reefing system for the main which can be operated from the cockpit. Scott Wells "Wells Cargo"
My experience says that any single-hander should only attempt to single hand the boat if he can reach everything without leaving the cockpit. In the case of the Hunter this means spending some cash on parts instead of spending it on cigars. I have more than my fair share of single handing with quests, small children and byself. If you asked me the following are absolute necessities: (1) run the halyards to the cockpit. Install a winch and rope clutches. Just do it and get it overwith. (2) Roller furler. You don't want to hear it but the H23 needs this and I don't think it is optional for single handing. Roller furlers let you reef quickly and safely. Most small boats (under 30') just don't have enough under the waterline to provide the margin for safety as a single-hander that you need. The H23 is no exception (3) cam cleats for timming the jib instead of cleats. It is ridicuolus to have to go the low side of the boat to release a sheet. (4) jiffing reefing system for the main which can be operated from the cockpit. Scott Wells "Wells Cargo"
Single Handling a H23
I single hand my h23 90% of the time. I have never lashed the tiller (except at the dock) to go forward or when raising the main. If I need to go forward with the sails up (vary rare) I just turn slightly into the wind and go up, do what needs to be done and go back to the cockpit. The previous owner moved the halyard winch from the mast to the cabin top to make raising the main from the cockpit very easy. Roller furling jib doen't hurt either. When raising the sail single handed I found its easier to motor out, point into the wind, kill the outboard and raise it, let the tiller be free, and start raising the main. With the sail about half way up (by now catching some breeze because you've fallen off the wind) and the tiller doing its own thing, you'll notice the boat will turn back into the wind. Finish raising and fall off the wind. Simple right? It will be when you get used to it. Steve S/V Salt Shaker
I single hand my h23 90% of the time. I have never lashed the tiller (except at the dock) to go forward or when raising the main. If I need to go forward with the sails up (vary rare) I just turn slightly into the wind and go up, do what needs to be done and go back to the cockpit. The previous owner moved the halyard winch from the mast to the cabin top to make raising the main from the cockpit very easy. Roller furling jib doen't hurt either. When raising the sail single handed I found its easier to motor out, point into the wind, kill the outboard and raise it, let the tiller be free, and start raising the main. With the sail about half way up (by now catching some breeze because you've fallen off the wind) and the tiller doing its own thing, you'll notice the boat will turn back into the wind. Finish raising and fall off the wind. Simple right? It will be when you get used to it. Steve S/V Salt Shaker
One hand for you, one for the boat.
There is a lot of good advice out there but, I recommend you read as much as you can. I almost alwas siglehand and I'm still tweaking things. I don't believe a roller-furler is that essential. I don't have one, and it really doesn't bother me. I rig the boat before I set out, while still tied to the dock. I do this for two reasons. The first, I do not rely on my engine. It's a little old, and if your single handing and your motor quits, you want to be able to menuever. Second, when I'm ready to sail, Im ready. All lines really do need to be led aft though. I also would put a downhaul on the jib if you need to. I just ordered, a asymetrical gennaker, with a douser called the flasher/stasher combo. I will probable fly this thing singlehanded, but only if the weather permits. Its a pole-less spinnaker. So this should be intresting. Will let all know how it goes, and if it can be done. You need to be very aware of your skill set also. I have been ion trouble a couple of times, only because I didn't drop a sail before, when I had the chance. (ie before downhaul.) But the reality is check weather, a few times during your sail, (ie VHF, look at cloud formations). If it looks like it getting bad, IT IS. Make preparations early. Other than that, I love single-handing, even when my girlfriend comes with me, I still wind up singlehanding. After a year and a half, she still calls the mast "The big stick coming out of the boat". Cheers TJ Flash H26.5 PS make sure your VHF works good.
There is a lot of good advice out there but, I recommend you read as much as you can. I almost alwas siglehand and I'm still tweaking things. I don't believe a roller-furler is that essential. I don't have one, and it really doesn't bother me. I rig the boat before I set out, while still tied to the dock. I do this for two reasons. The first, I do not rely on my engine. It's a little old, and if your single handing and your motor quits, you want to be able to menuever. Second, when I'm ready to sail, Im ready. All lines really do need to be led aft though. I also would put a downhaul on the jib if you need to. I just ordered, a asymetrical gennaker, with a douser called the flasher/stasher combo. I will probable fly this thing singlehanded, but only if the weather permits. Its a pole-less spinnaker. So this should be intresting. Will let all know how it goes, and if it can be done. You need to be very aware of your skill set also. I have been ion trouble a couple of times, only because I didn't drop a sail before, when I had the chance. (ie before downhaul.) But the reality is check weather, a few times during your sail, (ie VHF, look at cloud formations). If it looks like it getting bad, IT IS. Make preparations early. Other than that, I love single-handing, even when my girlfriend comes with me, I still wind up singlehanding. After a year and a half, she still calls the mast "The big stick coming out of the boat". Cheers TJ Flash H26.5 PS make sure your VHF works good.
Just Go Do It
Del, I've got to agree with Steve; you can over complicate this whole issue. Go out some with guests' but don't let them do anything. In other words, practice. Before spending a ton of $$ and time rerigging, make sure you have plenty of sea time under your belt. For example, in some respects, mast halyards are better than cockpit for single handing. (On one boat, I rigged both.) What seems awkward at first may seem logical later. Spend your money on a good inflatable vest/harness, etc. and enjoy the experience of challenging yourself and enjoying the freedom to take your boat out when you want to. Rick Dinon
Del, I've got to agree with Steve; you can over complicate this whole issue. Go out some with guests' but don't let them do anything. In other words, practice. Before spending a ton of $$ and time rerigging, make sure you have plenty of sea time under your belt. For example, in some respects, mast halyards are better than cockpit for single handing. (On one boat, I rigged both.) What seems awkward at first may seem logical later. Spend your money on a good inflatable vest/harness, etc. and enjoy the experience of challenging yourself and enjoying the freedom to take your boat out when you want to. Rick Dinon
Single handing not a problem
I have an H23. The only "extra" that I have is a CDI roller furler which I find to be invaluable for single handing which I do most of the time. Getting the main up is easy-motor into the wind then cut the motor and leave the tiller free. Be sure that the halyard is free on the deck so you don't have to bother untying it etc. once the main is partially up and you catch some wind, the boat should point into the wind(be sure the main sheet is uncleated)finish raising the main and you are ready to go. I do agree with some of the other comments...specifically, cam cleats for the jib sheets woud make life a bit easier...Good luck
I have an H23. The only "extra" that I have is a CDI roller furler which I find to be invaluable for single handing which I do most of the time. Getting the main up is easy-motor into the wind then cut the motor and leave the tiller free. Be sure that the halyard is free on the deck so you don't have to bother untying it etc. once the main is partially up and you catch some wind, the boat should point into the wind(be sure the main sheet is uncleated)finish raising the main and you are ready to go. I do agree with some of the other comments...specifically, cam cleats for the jib sheets woud make life a bit easier...Good luck
Single-hand sailing
I sail my h23 single-handed 90% of the time. Three items that make it easier and safer are a Navco Tiller-Pilot to keep the bow into the wind with the motor while I hoist the main sail and allow hands free sailing as required, a Fulex furler system to allow me to quickly ajust head sail size to suit the wind conditions which can go from 5 to 30 knots here on the west coast of Canada and a Mustang inflatable PFD with harness for safety. h23 "Miss Brandy"
I sail my h23 single-handed 90% of the time. Three items that make it easier and safer are a Navco Tiller-Pilot to keep the bow into the wind with the motor while I hoist the main sail and allow hands free sailing as required, a Fulex furler system to allow me to quickly ajust head sail size to suit the wind conditions which can go from 5 to 30 knots here on the west coast of Canada and a Mustang inflatable PFD with harness for safety. h23 "Miss Brandy"
Auto helm
The most important addition to safely sail single handed is an auto tiller or auto helm. This will safely free you for several minutes (even hours) to move about the boat to do what must be done and stay on course/track without veering all over the place. In high wind its even more important. As others have pointed out, a furling jib makes life much easier (and safer). Cam cleats instead of those lousy jam cleats should be a stock item.
The most important addition to safely sail single handed is an auto tiller or auto helm. This will safely free you for several minutes (even hours) to move about the boat to do what must be done and stay on course/track without veering all over the place. In high wind its even more important. As others have pointed out, a furling jib makes life much easier (and safer). Cam cleats instead of those lousy jam cleats should be a stock item.
Best aid for single handed sailors
There are many "tricks" to help the single handed sailor but I've found a product that makes sense. The product is called a sailease (sailease.com). It's marketed as a heel control and safety device, but I'm using it to tend my mainsail. I can go forward or into the cabin without worry in gusting conditions. A side benefit is the boat seems to perform better with or without the auto pilot. I was a bit leary that any product could work this good (and not be offered by the manufacturer). I saw it on a Rhodes22 and talked with the owner. He was really happy with its performance and price wasn't an issue. One more toy to make sailing even better. Good Luck Dave Johnson
There are many "tricks" to help the single handed sailor but I've found a product that makes sense. The product is called a sailease (sailease.com). It's marketed as a heel control and safety device, but I'm using it to tend my mainsail. I can go forward or into the cabin without worry in gusting conditions. A side benefit is the boat seems to perform better with or without the auto pilot. I was a bit leary that any product could work this good (and not be offered by the manufacturer). I saw it on a Rhodes22 and talked with the owner. He was really happy with its performance and price wasn't an issue. One more toy to make sailing even better. Good Luck Dave Johnson
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