Single Handing vs apparent wind and trim

[jssailem]

What you are discussing has affected sailors for millenia. The working boat had a destination. The course would be established by the skipper, the sails set / adjusted to keep the boat on course maintained by the helmsman (compass bearing - also what happens when you punch the AP to "auto" from standby). The only thing that disturbed this bearing/line on a chart was any water currents or underwater barriers (rocks, shoals etc.). The boat went to the destination.

Then there were sailors who just did it for fun. They would leave the dock, point the boat to open water and let the wind decide the direction.

Weather Note. There are different kinds of winds.

• Some are formed by pressure cells. These generally are cyclonic wind patterns (think hurricane or tornado). Depending on the size of the cell and where you are positioned compared to it's center, it can feel that the wind is coming from one direction. Or the wind can appear to be gradually changing till it goes full circle around you.
  • Like this low pressure cell off the coast of Greenland. The winds blow in a full circle around the cell.
  • 
• Then there are winds like the Trades. They blow not in cells but around the globe. They appear to be coming from one direction, say west, and they blow night and day steadly from the west for long periods.
  • As shown on this image stretching from the Caribbean to Africa.
  • 

Sailing is harnessing the wind to try and make it do your bidding.

• If you have a destination in mind then choose a bearing and making a direct line for that target changing the sails - triming them to harness the wind. (You can be the helmsman or you can ask the AP to do your bididing)
• If you are just out to play then chase the wind and follow it as it swirls around you.

An AP is a crewman you direct. The more skill the AP has (i.e. sensors and software to do multiple tasks) the more you can ask of it. Always remember an AP or a helmsman can get sick and stop following the instructions you have given. That's when you have to resort to the "cat-o'-nine-tails".

Enjoy your boat and sailing the blue wates of the Sea of Cortez.

 

[patagoniadave]

That is SOP for sailing.

Keep in mind, you are sailing, as you pointed out, in the Sea of Cortez. I haven't sailed the Sea of Cortez, but I suspect it won't have the strong steady winds of larger bodies of water. Your understanding of apparent wind is dead on. However, what effects AW is more broad than simply speeding up or slowing down due to wind strength and tack. The lighter the true wind is, the more you are affected by small things like a wave or a swell. Stronger winds move apparent wind closer to true wind, but think about how your sail swings through the air when wind is light and a wave changes the velocity vector of your masthead in relationship with true wind. Your bow lifts, the mast moves backwards, your bow drops, your mast swings ahead. For the time you are surfing down a wave, your change in apparent wind will shift it forward, then at the trough and up the other side, that wind will drop and move abeam, unless you're running with the wind. These short shifts of AW under light and unsteady gusts can get very confusing. Add to that, you said there was a distant storm. Waves and inconsistent gusts from varying directions generated or effected by the storm conditions will only compound the issue.

You will either react to every change, to keep your efficiency up, or you will learn to let it ride and see how it averages out, because you get tired of yanking on the sheet or changing the traveler constantly. When you find yourself chasing that perfect tack and it alludes you, sail to the compass for a pace. Let the steady course allow you to better understand the conditions you're sailing in.

Honestly, it sounds like you are learning at lightning speed compared to others. Just keep at it and even if you don't realize it, you will come to understand.

-Will

I've never tried to learn something new that felt so natural, or had so much passion about.

 

[patagoniadave]

What you are discussing has affected sailors for millenia. The working boat had a destination. The course would be established by the skipper, the sails set / adjusted to keep the boat on course maintained by the helmsman (compass bearing - also what happens when you punch the AP to "auto" from standby). The only thing that disturbed this bearing/line on a chart was any water currents or underwater barriers (rocks, shoals etc.). The boat went to the destination.

Then there were sailors who just did it for fun. They would leave the dock, point the boat to open water and let the wind decide the direction.

Weather Note. There are different kinds of winds.

• Some are formed by pressure cells. These generally are cyclonic wind patterns (think hurricane or tornado). Depending on the size of the cell and where you are positioned compared to it's center, it can feel that the wind is coming from one direction. Or the wind can appear to be gradually changing till it goes full circle around you.
  • Like this low pressure cell off the coast of Greenland. The winds blow in a full circle around the cell.
  • View attachment 207089
• Then there are winds like the Trades. They blow not in cells but around the globe. They appear to be coming from one direction, say west, and they blow night and day steadly from the west for long periods.
  • As shown on this image stretching from the Caribbean to Africa.
  • View attachment 207090

Sailing is harnessing the wind to try and make it do your bidding.

• If you have a destination in mind then choose a bearing and making a direct line for that target changing the sails - triming them to harness the wind. (You can be the helmsman or you can ask the AP to do your bididing)
• If you are just out to play then chase the wind and follow it as it swirls around you.

An AP is a crewman you direct. The more skill the AP has (i.e. sensors and software to do multiple tasks) the more you can ask of it. Always remember an AP or a helmsman can get sick and stop following the instructions you have given. That's when you have to resort to the "cat-o'-nine-tails".

Enjoy your boat and sailing the blue wates of the Sea of Cortez.

I guess my question was: even though I have a general destination, as a single hander, is it ultimately more efficient to steer with the wind even if I am slightly off course? I'd course correct as I got closer, sort of like tacking upwind. Adjusting trim on a straight heading has the potential to slow the boat down for me, but I can't tell if that's because I'm green, or because I am alone. I also feel safer alone when I am steering to the wind. Less moving around, more watching where I am going. Also, seems like less wear and tear on lines and sails.

I was just curious what other singlehanded people with more experience do, because I know a lot of my issues stem from my learning curve.

I really appreciate all of the patience and feedback.

 

[jssailem]

I solo sail a considerable amount of the time. My style rarely changes even when I sail with others.
Raised on racing, the key has always been to get the boat to the destination in the shortest time.

Now as a cruiser reasonable length of time has becoem the new expectation. This means setting the direction/bearing and adjusting the sails to the manage the wind while keeping the boat on course - mostly.

If the destination is small and a long distance (think small island located 19 miles from shore) a little drift off course could mean I go right by the island.

On the other hand if cruising down a coastline, as long as I do not hit anythiing I can allow variance in course (think let the wind change a bit and sit back enjoy the experience) and adjust the sails infrequently. I may travel extra distance over the water but never miss my destination.

In time and with practice you will acquire your own pace. You will let the boat feel her way and make adjustments as you desire.

I have found that trimming the sails means the boat must maintain a specific course. When I let someone take the helm and they wander I get a bit frustrated. We agree on a direction/compass bearing, I set the sails, I expect the helm to maintain the course. If we vary than the trim is bad. That is when I need to calm my mind and remember this is a crusie not a race. The person at the helm does not understand. I let the boat slow as their wandering tends to do that, and when they ask "Hey why do we seem to be going backwards" I can bring up the issue of wind in sails on a specified course. Change the course and you have to change the sails.

 

[patagoniadave]

I solo sail a considerable amount of the time. My style rarely changes even when I sail with others.
Raised on racing, the key has always been to get the boat to the destination in the shortest time.

Now as a cruiser reasonable length of time has becoem the new expectation. This means setting the direction/bearing and adjusting the sails to the manage the wind while keeping the boat on course - mostly.

If the destination is small and a long distance (think small island located 19 miles from shore) a little drift off course could mean I go right by the island.

On the other hand if cruising down a coastline, as long as I do not hit anythiing I can allow variance in course (think let the wind change a bit and sit back enjoy the experience) and adjust the sails infrequently. I may travel extra distance over the water but never miss my destination.

In time and with practice you will acquire your own pace. You will let the boat feel her way and make adjustments as you desire.

I have found that trimming the sails means the boat must maintain a specific course. When I let someone take the helm and they wander I get a bit frustrated. We agree on a direction/compass bearing, I set the sails, I expect the helm to maintain the course. If we vary than the trim is bad. That is when I need to calm my mind and remember this is a crusie not a race. The person at the helm does not understand. I let the boat slow as their wandering tends to do that, and when they ask "Hey why do we seem to be going backwards" I can bring up the issue of wind in sails on a specified course. Change the course and you have to change the sails.

Cool, thanks for the perspective, it's helps me sort out my thought process.

 

[JBP-PA]

I frequently sail single handed to a nearby destination just as you are doing. Once I set the sails, I mostly sail to the wind following the shifts, aka "full and by" rather than trimming the sails to stay on a precise course. It may not be the most efficient time wise, but changing the trim constantly would be tiring. I accept a slower meandering route instead of pushing hard. If the wind changes considerably, or, as you say, I get too far off course, then I'll adjust. It also varies by my mood, sometimes I like the challenge of going as fast as possible, sometimes I want to go as slow as possible to have more time to enjoy it.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Raised on racing, the key has always been to get the boat to the destination in the shortest time.

Now as a cruiser reasonable length of time has becoem the new expectation.

For me, as a non-racer, there are two kinds of sailing; distance (navigation) sailing, and close to home sailing. If I know where I am and can estimate at any given moment how long it would take to get home, I would sail to the wind, pick a random point and sail to that, never care too much about my headway other than, am I well trimmed and enjoying the trip.

Navigation sailing isn't about speed, good time or even reasonable time, it's about predictable time. Slow or fast, as long as it is consistent and therefore predictable, because getting to that distant point is only possible with accuracy in calculations.

When I let someone take the helm and they wander I get a bit frustrated. We agree on a direction/compass bearing, I set the sails, I expect the helm to maintain the course. If we vary than the trim is bad. That is when I need to calm my mind and remember this is a crusie not a race.

Oh JS , it's a good thing we don't sail together, I feel you would retreat permanently to your calming place . You're too valuable to SBO for me to do that to you.

-Will (they don't call me Snake Plissken 'cause I Iook like Kurt Russell)

 

[thinwater]

Windward or AW no more than 60 degrees off the bow. Autopilot on "wind."

Off the wind or AW aft of 60 degrees off the bow. Auto pilot on magnetic. I find that the AP on AW can't cope with waves, yawing, and surfing. It does not anticipate, the boat rounds up, and the cycle repeats. Magnetic is steadier and the AW is not as critical reaching deep.

Either way, the AP requires supervision. They are very diligent but kinda stupid.

 

[patagoniadave]

I frequently sail single handed to a nearby destination just as you are doing. Once I set the sails, I mostly sail to the wind following the shifts, aka "full and by" rather than trimming the sails to stay on a precise course. It may not be the most efficient time wise, but changing the trim constantly would be tiring. I accept a slower meandering route instead of pushing hard. If the wind changes considerably, or, as you say, I get too far off course, then I'll adjust. It also varies by my mood, sometimes I like the challenge of going as fast as possible, sometimes I want to go as slow as possible to have more time to enjoy it.

This is how I sail, I was worried I was starting bad habits.... Thanks for the feedback

 

[dLj]

So what the heck, I've been watching this thread and finally decided to throw in my two cents. I'm predominantly a single handed sailor mainly because I love to sail and find it difficult to find sailing partners. Said in another way, I'm not going to not go sail just because I've no one to join me today... I very much enjoy sailing with others, they just aren't around often enough or when I have the time to jump on my boat and go sailing.

I find having an autopilot to be nearly mandatory to have - it is probably the single most important system to have outside of what's needed to sail the boat.

I sail under two different mind sets. One, I want to go somewhere and two, I just want to sail. When I have a specific destination in mind with a limited time frame, (something I try to avoid) , I run more to the route and some to the prevailing wind. If I'm just sailing then it depends what I feel like doing - might want to play with different angles to the wind and observe how my boat handles. Play with my sails and see how she responds. I might allow myself to go check out that little bay over there I haven't been to, I might just sail around enjoying the day, weather, wind and such.

I almost always run my autopilot. I don't like to be tied to the tiller. But that can depend upon what's going on around me or where I may be sailing. I consider sailing a form of liberation from my otherwise fairly structured life.

dj

p. s. I just realized I forgot to answer the OP's original question - I will almost always be looking to optimize my sailing abilities. So in both of the above scenarios I will at times be running the autopilot and optimizing sail set, and I will also set my sails and then set my autopilot to run well in the direction heading. So I do both - I do it to learn about my boat, my abilities, the controls and my sails. I prefer to do this both ways to learn about all things dealing with my boat and sailing. It is my opinion that learning ones boat, sails, etc. such that everything becomes second nature is good practice and safety...

 

[patagoniadave]

So what the heck, I've been watching this thread and finally decided to throw in my two cents. I'm predominantly a single handed sailor mainly because I love to sail and find it difficult to find sailing partners. Said in another way, I'm not going to go sail just because I've no one to join me today... I very much enjoy sailing with others, they just aren't around often enough or when I have the time to jump on my boat and go sailing.

I find having an autopilot to be nearly mandatory to have - it is probably the single most important system to have outside of what's needed to sail the boat.

I sail under two different mind sets. One, I want to go somewhere and two, I just want to sail. When I have a specific destination in mind with a limited time frame, (something I try to avoid) , I run more to the route and some to the prevailing wind. If I'm just sailing then it depends what I feel like doing - might want to play with different angles to the wind and observe how my boat handles. Play with my sails and see how she responds. I might allow myself to go check out that little bay over there I haven't been to, I might just sail around enjoying the day, weather, wind and such.

I almost always run my autopilot. I don't like to be tied to the tiller. But that can depend upon what's going on around me or where I may be sailing. I consider sailing a form of liberation from my otherwise fairly structured life.

dj

p. s. I just realized I forgot to answer the OP's original question - I will almost always be looking to optimize my sailing abilities. So in both of the above scenarios I will at times be running the autopilot and optimizing sail set, and I will also set my sails and then set my autopilot to run well in the direction heading. So I do both - I do it to learn about my boat, my abilities, the controls and my sails. I prefer to do this both ways to learn about all things dealing with my boat and sailing. It is my opinion that learning ones boat, sails, etc. such that everything becomes second nature is good practice and safety...

I appreciate it! I often go out and just practice things, or stay in a tack longer to feel the boat balanced, or whatever. I love sailing without a time frame, I hope for that to become the norm.

 

[dLj]

I love sailing without a time frame, I hope for that to become the norm.

That's my long range plan!

dj

 

[patagoniadave]

Going to play Karnac here, holding an envelop to my forehead, and the message says "We don't support that chart plotter any more. There are no spare parts. Buy a B&G system and you'll be happier."

Ok, so maybe not that last sentence.

I cannot speak to the quality of their products, but that might have been the worst technical support / customer service experience of my life....