Do you take your boat out on your own? How big is your boat and where do you sail it by yourself? Do you singlehand because of difficulty in getting crew or because you prefer the freedom, challenge, and/or peace and quiet of being on your own? What is the hardest thing to do as a singlehander (e.g. docking, reefing, furling the headsail) and how do you overcome it? Do you take safety precautions when you're out alone such as a harness and jack lines?
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Solo Therapy
I absolutely love to take my 340 out alone. I sail on a relatively small lake (Grapevine TX) which is only 9 miles from home, meaning I get out 3 times a week, of which once is solo after the dinner dishes are done at home
. Many times I only have a couple of hours to sail and I enjoy the solitude / escape. I often wear an inflatable "suspenders style" vest while on board and always at night (small waterproof personal strobe and whistle are attached) She is equipped with in-mast furling main and a 110-furling Jib, which makes all sail handling very easy. The hardest task while solo is return docking with a breeze blowing. I utilize forward spring lines on both port and starboard to back down against, steadying the boat while securing the rest of my dock lines. (I will admit that my slip is "rubber padded") I highly recommend getting out on the water by yourself. I bet you will find it both enjoyable and less of a challenge than you may think! Happy sailing! Jay
I absolutely love to take my 340 out alone. I sail on a relatively small lake (Grapevine TX) which is only 9 miles from home, meaning I get out 3 times a week, of which once is solo after the dinner dishes are done at home
. Many times I only have a couple of hours to sail and I enjoy the solitude / escape. I often wear an inflatable "suspenders style" vest while on board and always at night (small waterproof personal strobe and whistle are attached) She is equipped with in-mast furling main and a 110-furling Jib, which makes all sail handling very easy. The hardest task while solo is return docking with a breeze blowing. I utilize forward spring lines on both port and starboard to back down against, steadying the boat while securing the rest of my dock lines. (I will admit that my slip is "rubber padded") I highly recommend getting out on the water by yourself. I bet you will find it both enjoyable and less of a challenge than you may think! Happy sailing! JayAlone
When I do sail, it's alone, it's theripudic, quiet,I go where I want to go, at my time. When I do sail my boat, I always have the guest, man the helm, it gives them something to do and be a part of the handling of the boat, regardless of age and sex. retrieving the plow anchor alone is a drag, and reefing the main has it's down pts. Yes I have a safety harness and 2-3/16 dia. 1-19 safety deck jacks, the harness has 2 tethers, 1-6ft. 1-2ft., I place my boat into "irons" drop the main, and furl the jib, then power to slip.
When I do sail, it's alone, it's theripudic, quiet,I go where I want to go, at my time. When I do sail my boat, I always have the guest, man the helm, it gives them something to do and be a part of the handling of the boat, regardless of age and sex. retrieving the plow anchor alone is a drag, and reefing the main has it's down pts. Yes I have a safety harness and 2-3/16 dia. 1-19 safety deck jacks, the harness has 2 tethers, 1-6ft. 1-2ft., I place my boat into "irons" drop the main, and furl the jib, then power to slip.
Against the law here..
..in Israel to sail singlehanded a boat above 7 meters LOA ( for a local registered/own boat only), along with many restrictions related to safety. Skipper licence is mandatory ( with studyings taking 6-8 months of evening school , and costing about 1500-2000$) , and extensive safety packagge ( checked evey other year) including GPS, liferaft,VHF, manual and automatic bilge pumps , 3 7-pounds fire extingushers, safety harnesses ,day signals, 2 anchors and 200 fet chain-rope ,not to mention the basic common packagge of compass,flares,floating devices, navigation lights , etc... It's a costly thing here to own a boat, even if you already have one.. But keeping in mind that there is no 'protected or semi-protected'- water here , but open sea along the whole Eastern Mediteranean coast, with very few marinas in between ,and often choppy and headwinds condition going west, hopefully the boating here is at least safe.. The fine for sailing alone can mount to an astronomical 1000$ sum , so none abuse this..
..in Israel to sail singlehanded a boat above 7 meters LOA ( for a local registered/own boat only), along with many restrictions related to safety. Skipper licence is mandatory ( with studyings taking 6-8 months of evening school , and costing about 1500-2000$) , and extensive safety packagge ( checked evey other year) including GPS, liferaft,VHF, manual and automatic bilge pumps , 3 7-pounds fire extingushers, safety harnesses ,day signals, 2 anchors and 200 fet chain-rope ,not to mention the basic common packagge of compass,flares,floating devices, navigation lights , etc... It's a costly thing here to own a boat, even if you already have one.. But keeping in mind that there is no 'protected or semi-protected'- water here , but open sea along the whole Eastern Mediteranean coast, with very few marinas in between ,and often choppy and headwinds condition going west, hopefully the boating here is at least safe.. The fine for sailing alone can mount to an astronomical 1000$ sum , so none abuse this..
singlehanded
my wife and i have different days off, hers on the weekend and mine during the week. this forces both of us to sail alone, we have the boat (h 35.5) set up well for this, autohelm is probly the most important item you can purchase to make single handed easyer. docking in high winds is probly the most difficult thing to do when your alone.
my wife and i have different days off, hers on the weekend and mine during the week. this forces both of us to sail alone, we have the boat (h 35.5) set up well for this, autohelm is probly the most important item you can purchase to make single handed easyer. docking in high winds is probly the most difficult thing to do when your alone.
Sneak away time
As many of you "regulars" know from my previous posts here I sail alot with my family for a week here, week there etc... But occasionally on a nice day I sneak away for a couple hours of peace & quiet on my H380 The autopilot 6000+ is all the crew I need. I adjust sails with autopilot on, and drops sails by heading into wind and motoring at 1000 rpm's with autopilot engaged to keep her into the wind. Soooooooooo nice. In fact it's 85 here, sunny, 12 knots of breeze from the North... BYE, BYE I'm goin sailin!)) Bob Knott Hunter 380
As many of you "regulars" know from my previous posts here I sail alot with my family for a week here, week there etc... But occasionally on a nice day I sneak away for a couple hours of peace & quiet on my H380 The autopilot 6000+ is all the crew I need. I adjust sails with autopilot on, and drops sails by heading into wind and motoring at 1000 rpm's with autopilot engaged to keep her into the wind. Soooooooooo nice. In fact it's 85 here, sunny, 12 knots of breeze from the North... BYE, BYE I'm goin sailin!
)) Bob Knott Hunter 380Serenity
I have a 27 Hunter named Windwalker which I single hand 95% of the time. Most people can't go out on a moments notice, like when the wind is blowing and my lady doesn't share the same love for sailing that I have. I spend many nights on the lake alone in the warm evening breezes staring at the stars and moon as the boat slips across the water pretending I'm in the Mediteranian or some other exotic body of water. When I do have guests I try to do the whole program of sailing grilling steaks drinking wine music etc. Love that Boat!
I have a 27 Hunter named Windwalker which I single hand 95% of the time. Most people can't go out on a moments notice, like when the wind is blowing and my lady doesn't share the same love for sailing that I have. I spend many nights on the lake alone in the warm evening breezes staring at the stars and moon as the boat slips across the water pretending I'm in the Mediteranian or some other exotic body of water. When I do have guests I try to do the whole program of sailing grilling steaks drinking wine music etc. Love that Boat!
The best time of the day.
My wife is a late sleeper and I'm and early riser. Now retired, so a sail in the morning by myself is great. Wife not much of a sailer anyway. Good at puting the boat in the slip though.
My wife is a late sleeper and I'm and early riser. Now retired, so a sail in the morning by myself is great. Wife not much of a sailer anyway. Good at puting the boat in the slip though.
Hydro-Therapy
Hydro-Therapy. That's the name of my H26 because sailing is the best therapy going and single handing is part of that. The peace and quiet of being alone. The challenge of having to do it all yourself. Always thinking a few steps ahead to avoid complications. I love it! I do it because it adds another dimension to sailing and because at times a crew can't be had. I sail on a relatively small inland lake, so the danger factor is greatly reduced. If I were on a larger body I'd probably still do it. Roller furling is a tremendous help. A tiller tamer or autopilot is a must. My greatest difficulty is reefing...how do you keep the sail hooked on the ramshead until you can tighten the halyard??? No jackline or harness, but I ALWAYS WEAR A LIFE JACKET. At the end of the sail the body may be tired if the wind was up, but the mind is always clearer. Like I said, Hydro-Therapy. Ron M
Hydro-Therapy. That's the name of my H26 because sailing is the best therapy going and single handing is part of that. The peace and quiet of being alone. The challenge of having to do it all yourself. Always thinking a few steps ahead to avoid complications. I love it! I do it because it adds another dimension to sailing and because at times a crew can't be had. I sail on a relatively small inland lake, so the danger factor is greatly reduced. If I were on a larger body I'd probably still do it. Roller furling is a tremendous help. A tiller tamer or autopilot is a must. My greatest difficulty is reefing...how do you keep the sail hooked on the ramshead until you can tighten the halyard??? No jackline or harness, but I ALWAYS WEAR A LIFE JACKET. At the end of the sail the body may be tired if the wind was up, but the mind is always clearer. Like I said, Hydro-Therapy. Ron M
Solo sailing
What a wonderful feeling of not being dependent, heading in whatever direction pleases me, or simply anchoring in a quiet cove. My 240 is so easy to singlehand that I do quite regularly. The most difficult part is docking in high winds. Now that I've added an autopilot, singlehanding has taken on a new dimension. I do wear an inflatable vest/harness whenever I leave the cockpit. There's nothing like the feeling you get sitting on the bow in a nice breeze on a moonlit solo sail. Mark Kissel Kittiwake/98H240
What a wonderful feeling of not being dependent, heading in whatever direction pleases me, or simply anchoring in a quiet cove. My 240 is so easy to singlehand that I do quite regularly. The most difficult part is docking in high winds. Now that I've added an autopilot, singlehanding has taken on a new dimension. I do wear an inflatable vest/harness whenever I leave the cockpit. There's nothing like the feeling you get sitting on the bow in a nice breeze on a moonlit solo sail. Mark Kissel Kittiwake/98H240
Solo sailor
Guess I solo most of the time because none of my friends can get out on the water as much as I like to and I'm tired asking them!!! My wife travels in her job and is gone Mon.- Fri.(yes, life is good!!!). Anyway, my '87 28.5 is a dream to singlehand on our lake and I'll head out in anything up to 20-25mph winds. After that its too much work! The wheel brake is all the self- steering I need and if I need to reef, I usually do it before I leave the slip.I absolutely love being out on the water by myself. Roller furling is a necessity and really makes a difference. I don't think I'd own a boat I couldn't single-hand and we plan on moving up to a 40.5 ASAP.
Guess I solo most of the time because none of my friends can get out on the water as much as I like to and I'm tired asking them!!! My wife travels in her job and is gone Mon.- Fri.(yes, life is good!!!). Anyway, my '87 28.5 is a dream to singlehand on our lake and I'll head out in anything up to 20-25mph winds. After that its too much work! The wheel brake is all the self- steering I need and if I need to reef, I usually do it before I leave the slip.I absolutely love being out on the water by myself. Roller furling is a necessity and really makes a difference. I don't think I'd own a boat I couldn't single-hand and we plan on moving up to a 40.5 ASAP.
42 feet and Chesapeake Bay
I get one solo trip a year on the Passage 42. I usually cross the Chesapeake Bay at it widest point, from Deltaville to Onancock and anchor out for the night. You get out of the sight of land on crossing and it gives me the feeling of an ocean voyage, albeit short. It is always a great weekend for me. I come back a new man [but wanting to do it again the next weekend].
I get one solo trip a year on the Passage 42. I usually cross the Chesapeake Bay at it widest point, from Deltaville to Onancock and anchor out for the night. You get out of the sight of land on crossing and it gives me the feeling of an ocean voyage, albeit short. It is always a great weekend for me. I come back a new man [but wanting to do it again the next weekend].
Never
I have never sailed my 35 alone in the almost two years I've owned her. I take her out once a week and so far haven't had any trouble finding family, friends or colleagues to go with me. Sometimes I end up handling her alone if I have inexperienced guests. The solitude would be nice but its also nice to share the experience of a beautiful sunset or nice tack.
I have never sailed my 35 alone in the almost two years I've owned her. I take her out once a week and so far haven't had any trouble finding family, friends or colleagues to go with me. Sometimes I end up handling her alone if I have inexperienced guests. The solitude would be nice but its also nice to share the experience of a beautiful sunset or nice tack.
Reefing Nightmare!
I sail our H23.5 single handed quite often. It's on a 10 mile lake so it's never too far from the slip. Reefing and changing the hanked on jib to a storm sail is the absolute worse problem. I've been caught in a sudden change of wind and had no choice. The autopilot doesn't hold too well when the waves kick up. I've also launched and retrieved alone and if the wind is calm, and you don't daydream too much, there's no problem. My worst problem is not wearing a lifejacket because it's so uncomfortable in 95 degree weather. Don't leave the cockpit without one! Ken S/V Wouff Hong
I sail our H23.5 single handed quite often. It's on a 10 mile lake so it's never too far from the slip. Reefing and changing the hanked on jib to a storm sail is the absolute worse problem. I've been caught in a sudden change of wind and had no choice. The autopilot doesn't hold too well when the waves kick up. I've also launched and retrieved alone and if the wind is calm, and you don't daydream too much, there's no problem. My worst problem is not wearing a lifejacket because it's so uncomfortable in 95 degree weather. Don't leave the cockpit without one! Ken S/V Wouff Hong
I did on Puget Sound
I did a lot of singlehanding in the NW, once cruising from Seattle to Desolation Sound. You've got to have a dependable autopilot to do it on a boat that size. For safety, I wore an inflatable harness with an low-cost EPIRB clipped to it. Figured that if I fell overboard at least I'd have 30 minutes of hope. If the weather was snotty I motored and didn't risk sailhandling. but otherwise sailing was reasonably easy with the AP. Docking could be tricky, but in tough situations I was always surprised how many people were around to help. The most important part of it is thinking about two steps ahead. I always considered what I had to do next. If the sails were going up, where and how would I take them down? If intending to dock, where was the best stretch to rig the fenders and lines? The biggest problem in Desolation was doing a stern-tie. that is an SOB singlehanded! I did it once, in calm weather, and it took over an hour. I was exhausted and had the full attention of everyone in the anchorage. So my anchoring was limited to bays where the boat could swing. But, a small price to pay for the peace.
I did a lot of singlehanding in the NW, once cruising from Seattle to Desolation Sound. You've got to have a dependable autopilot to do it on a boat that size. For safety, I wore an inflatable harness with an low-cost EPIRB clipped to it. Figured that if I fell overboard at least I'd have 30 minutes of hope.
If the weather was snotty I motored and didn't risk sailhandling. but otherwise sailing was reasonably easy with the AP. Docking could be tricky, but in tough situations I was always surprised how many people were around to help. The most important part of it is thinking about two steps ahead. I always considered what I had to do next. If the sails were going up, where and how would I take them down? If intending to dock, where was the best stretch to rig the fenders and lines? The biggest problem in Desolation was doing a stern-tie. that is an SOB singlehanded! I did it once, in calm weather, and it took over an hour. I was exhausted and had the full attention of everyone in the anchorage. So my anchoring was limited to bays where the boat could swing. But, a small price to pay for the peace.five-hour limit
I've put a five-hour limit to my singlehanded passages; otherwise, I start getting sloppy about keeping watch. I will often start a "weekend" a day early, by delivering the boat up to the city (three or four hours, depending on tides and winds) while my wife works. She'll catch up to me via train, and then we'll have two good days of sailing around the central bay. Then, come Monday, I'll singlehand the boat back to the south bay again. The nice thing about being a writer is that I can singlehand the boat AND work at the same time, without my editors ever knowing the difference. Thanks to a wireless internet connection, I can submit text from anywhere in the bay. Now if only they could find a way for me to do that offshore...
I've put a five-hour limit to my singlehanded passages; otherwise, I start getting sloppy about keeping watch. I will often start a "weekend" a day early, by delivering the boat up to the city (three or four hours, depending on tides and winds) while my wife works. She'll catch up to me via train, and then we'll have two good days of sailing around the central bay. Then, come Monday, I'll singlehand the boat back to the south bay again. The nice thing about being a writer is that I can singlehand the boat AND work at the same time, without my editors ever knowing the difference. Thanks to a wireless internet connection, I can submit text from anywhere in the bay. Now if only they could find a way for me to do that offshore...
becouse I have to
I sail my boat all the time by my self. I just don't have any crew, except for my dog. I don't use a harness, though I do have one on board. I just don't relish the thought of hanging over the side while my boat sails along till I die of exposer. Docking is chalenging, as is reefing. I don't have auto helm, so I use my weel brake which is good for a short time depending on conditions. Bad weather sucks, I try my hardest to avoid it. My boat is the Hunter 34 1983 modle. My dog is really reliable crew though perty much usless. He does pull up the tender on the beach failly well. 80lb dog versis 8' livingston is quite the entertainment. Since he mastered the panter on the tender, I have great hopes for futer skills.
I sail my boat all the time by my self. I just don't have any crew, except for my dog. I don't use a harness, though I do have one on board. I just don't relish the thought of hanging over the side while my boat sails along till I die of exposer. Docking is chalenging, as is reefing. I don't have auto helm, so I use my weel brake which is good for a short time depending on conditions. Bad weather sucks, I try my hardest to avoid it. My boat is the Hunter 34 1983 modle. My dog is really reliable crew though perty much usless. He does pull up the tender on the beach failly well. 80lb dog versis 8' livingston is quite the entertainment. Since he mastered the panter on the tender, I have great hopes for futer skills.
Home Alone
I am a singlehanded sailor originally because I could not no one to sail with (at least as often as I wanted to). Today the situation has changed as I have found plenty of individuals looking for a ride. Even so, I still go out alone but for an entirely different reason. I reside in St Clair Shores, MI and primarily sail on Lake St Clair (reported in the 1998 edition of "Know Your Boats" as the littlest of the Great Lakes with a nasty disposition): however, I have taken several trips to Lake Huron and Lake Erie. My boat is a 1979 25 foot Hunter. I have tried to make my boat, "Whisper", as singlehand friendly as possible by adding Roller Furling, a tiller tamer, and running all halyards back to the cockpit. I try to be as safety conscious as possible after a bad experience with my previous boat. I wear a lifejacet (inflatable) at all times. I use a safety harness in foul weather, the colder seasons (especially May and October) and at night. I also attend as many meetings as possible sponsored by the Great Lakes Singlehand Society from which I have learned a lot. Hardest tasks are docking in the stiffer breezes and utilizing the head (the later of which I will not go into). Docking is aided by using criss-crossed lines going from the 2 outer pilings and criss-crossing near the end of the slip. This tends to funnel the boat into the slip, stopping it just short bulkhead. Also I have padded the pilings. At our marina, we are required to dock bow in which allows us a good view of the waterway prior to entry. Taking my time and practice are probably the greatest aid. As pointed out earlier, I now singlehand for an entirely different reason than in years gone by. There is a special feeling when out alone with what God has created and using what He has given us to propel our craft silently, serenely to a destination. There is a peace and a sense of accomplishment that comes only with singlehanding. Hal Roth probably put it best ".....In no other activity except perhaps mountaineering are you so independent and so accountable for your own actions. .....If you get into trouble, it's generally you alone who must bail yourself out. The business of solving your own problems.....and looking after yourself is satisfying and grows into nice feelings of independence, confidence and self-respect." (taken from "After 50,000 Miles) He refers to this as "the pleasure and the freedom". To me it is a oneness ..... a oneness with "Whisper" and a oneness with all that surrounds me. I guess you could say it is being "home alone".
I am a singlehanded sailor originally because I could not no one to sail with (at least as often as I wanted to). Today the situation has changed as I have found plenty of individuals looking for a ride. Even so, I still go out alone but for an entirely different reason. I reside in St Clair Shores, MI and primarily sail on Lake St Clair (reported in the 1998 edition of "Know Your Boats" as the littlest of the Great Lakes with a nasty disposition): however, I have taken several trips to Lake Huron and Lake Erie. My boat is a 1979 25 foot Hunter. I have tried to make my boat, "Whisper", as singlehand friendly as possible by adding Roller Furling, a tiller tamer, and running all halyards back to the cockpit. I try to be as safety conscious as possible after a bad experience with my previous boat. I wear a lifejacet (inflatable) at all times. I use a safety harness in foul weather, the colder seasons (especially May and October) and at night. I also attend as many meetings as possible sponsored by the Great Lakes Singlehand Society from which I have learned a lot. Hardest tasks are docking in the stiffer breezes and utilizing the head (the later of which I will not go into). Docking is aided by using criss-crossed lines going from the 2 outer pilings and criss-crossing near the end of the slip. This tends to funnel the boat into the slip, stopping it just short bulkhead. Also I have padded the pilings. At our marina, we are required to dock bow in which allows us a good view of the waterway prior to entry. Taking my time and practice are probably the greatest aid. As pointed out earlier, I now singlehand for an entirely different reason than in years gone by. There is a special feeling when out alone with what God has created and using what He has given us to propel our craft silently, serenely to a destination. There is a peace and a sense of accomplishment that comes only with singlehanding. Hal Roth probably put it best ".....In no other activity except perhaps mountaineering are you so independent and so accountable for your own actions. .....If you get into trouble, it's generally you alone who must bail yourself out. The business of solving your own problems.....and looking after yourself is satisfying and grows into nice feelings of independence, confidence and self-respect." (taken from "After 50,000 Miles) He refers to this as "the pleasure and the freedom". To me it is a oneness ..... a oneness with "Whisper" and a oneness with all that surrounds me. I guess you could say it is being "home alone".
Solo Sailing, Legend 37.5, Galveston Bay
60% of my sailing is solo sailing. My style of sailing does not match with other people's schedules. I go out to sail, not to motor. (But I don't aspire to be a member of the engineless Oar Club - see www.oarclub.com for details.) I will drift through calms and light winds for hours and wait for the wind to take me home. Most crew will not tolerate that. My rule of thumb is that the wind got me out there, and it will get me back. Sometimes I just have to wait a little bit. A 10 hour daysail is not unusual for me. My longest solo sail was 17 hours continuous sailing for 110 nautical miles. Getting back to the dock at 2 a.m. is not in most people's agenda. I use the autopilot for short periods. but most of the time I spend at the helm. When the wind gets over 20 knots and the waves are over six feet high. I put on the SOSpenders safety harness and tether myself to the boat. My longest solo distance from shore was 35 nautical miles. Solo sailing with the 890 sq. ft. asymmetrical spinnaker takes a lot of planning, but it is well worth the effort. Thank God I don't live in Israel where according to Alex's post (7/12), it is illegal to solo sail. I guess that makes it hard for Laser and Finn sailors. And what about windsurfer's? Of course it is nice to sail with crew when schedules permit. I entered five races this year with crew. It is fun to share the sailing experience with crew (especially the first place finishes), but perhaps due to the time committment requried by my style of sailing, I find that I solo sail more than most. I suppose that I am not willing to compromise the sailing experience because someone in the crew has to be home for dinner by 6 p.m. I will continue solo sailing when crew is not available. But if there is an opportunity to sail with crew that wants to share the sailing experience, i will invite them along. It's been a long work week and I am heading out to the bay for a weekend of sailboat racing on Saturday and probably solo sailing on Sunday.
60% of my sailing is solo sailing. My style of sailing does not match with other people's schedules. I go out to sail, not to motor. (But I don't aspire to be a member of the engineless Oar Club - see www.oarclub.com for details.) I will drift through calms and light winds for hours and wait for the wind to take me home. Most crew will not tolerate that. My rule of thumb is that the wind got me out there, and it will get me back. Sometimes I just have to wait a little bit. A 10 hour daysail is not unusual for me. My longest solo sail was 17 hours continuous sailing for 110 nautical miles. Getting back to the dock at 2 a.m. is not in most people's agenda. I use the autopilot for short periods. but most of the time I spend at the helm. When the wind gets over 20 knots and the waves are over six feet high. I put on the SOSpenders safety harness and tether myself to the boat. My longest solo distance from shore was 35 nautical miles. Solo sailing with the 890 sq. ft. asymmetrical spinnaker takes a lot of planning, but it is well worth the effort. Thank God I don't live in Israel where according to Alex's post (7/12), it is illegal to solo sail. I guess that makes it hard for Laser and Finn sailors. And what about windsurfer's? Of course it is nice to sail with crew when schedules permit. I entered five races this year with crew. It is fun to share the sailing experience with crew (especially the first place finishes), but perhaps due to the time committment requried by my style of sailing, I find that I solo sail more than most. I suppose that I am not willing to compromise the sailing experience because someone in the crew has to be home for dinner by 6 p.m. I will continue solo sailing when crew is not available. But if there is an opportunity to sail with crew that wants to share the sailing experience, i will invite them along. It's been a long work week and I am heading out to the bay for a weekend of sailboat racing on Saturday and probably solo sailing on Sunday.
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