Solo Sailing

[Kerry13709]

This weekend, I went out alone with a west-SW wind coming from the land side that produced about 15-20 knots of apparent wind. I was on a close reach to beam reach with the main out about 45 degrees, and the jib not hauled in tight. Wind was gusting from a fairly steady 15 to 18-25 knots App. Even with the sails out, the boat had a tendency to round up in the gust, especially when they were sustained for a minute or so. I did not have a reef in the main or jib. Question is, outside of losing time, is there any harm in letting the boat round up to the point just before dead air? I felt uncomfortable holding coarse, or trying to in the high gust, with the excessive heel.

 

[Mike]

Set the Reef !

Your boat was over powered, and you probably weren't enjoying yourself too much either. Put a reef in the mainsail, and the boat will sail flatter and faster. If you ave different sized headsails, use a smaller jib when the winds are heavier also.

 

[Bill O'D]

Or this alternative...

Beam up the boat so the apparent wind is coming across at a 90 degree angle. This will reduce the listing and take stress off the helm while still providingspeed. Just beware that unless you reef, as suggested above, the boat will have a tendency to round up. You have to hold the beam course true, but you can really zip!

 

[beneteau373]

Reef Early

I solo sail often and have found that it's much more enjoyable to reef the sails early instead of beating the you know what out of me with on overpowered boat. You will find that its faster and much more comfortable and once practiced a couple of times, depending on the rig, reefing is easy to do.

 

[Paul Akers]

Reef Early...

...It is said that you should reef at the time that you first think (or realize) about reefing.

 

[Benny]

Why put undue strain on your riggin?

You can sail faster, safer and more comfortable with properly reefed sails.

 

[larry w]

reefer

reef early, or, let the main luff some and remember the sail trim adage; WIDLIO (When In Doubt Let It Out)In a steady 15 knot beam wind, your main should be about 70 or 80 degrees from the centerline.

 

[Dick Westwood]

Jiffy

Yes, reef it. And, if you're going to be soloing often, install a single line reefing system so that it's easy for you to reduce sail without a crew. Being adept at heaving to is also useful.

 

[novelman17128]

I have an older 21' Venture set up for single-handing. I was out in Long Beach, California this past weekend with just below "small craft" warning (about 15'20 knots) with a 120 jib and unreafed main. The sailing was good but somewhat uncomfortable until I doused my jib with the down-haul. After that I sailed for several hours on main only, mostly at hull speed and with very little heel. It was a very comfortable way to sail, even when dead-down-wind. I have never uinderstood why anyone would want to sail with too much sail up and do so uncomfortably and wet, unless racing, of course. My main set-up is unique in that it allows me to shape my main on any course using two boom-vangs.Novelman

 

[richard]

heaving to is one of my favorite new things...

I solo sail alot, went out yesterday in 15-20...just on the verge of needing to reef, I found I could comfortably pinch or let out a little sail for the gusts. The hardest part wasn't the variable intensity of the winds but the variable direction! It was clocking back and forth at least 30-40 degrees.I read about heaving to in a sail mag. And have been doing it quite a bit ever since. It is a great way to take a break, make a drink, engage in romance, or perform some needed task. It is amazing to me how the wind can be working you hard upwind, yet heaving to reduces even high wind days to a safe, stable non-heeled boat.

 

[Paul]

How Heave?

Always curious about the many varieties of heaving-to. What boat do you have, and how do you heave it to?

 

[Tim]

Hey Richard.....

Care to explain a little about "engaging in romance" while you are "solo sailing" ????On second thought..... I'd rather not hear the details.Just kidding... I could'nt resist.Tim

 

[Stu Jackson]

Heave to reference from an archive search

see the link. Franklin's post provides a very good description. Click the blue links in the threads, too.

 

[Alan]

Tim

...the same thought occurred to me! ;DPaul, as far as I know (which ain't much) there is only one way to heave to. This makes putting in or shaking out a reef very simple and under control.Tack your boat without releasing the jib sheet. After tacking put the helm over to try and drive the bow up. The jib will prevent this from happening and the boat will oscillate between trying to head up and being driven off. Now you can go take care of business at a relaxed and easy pace.

 

[Tim]

No comment, Alan.

"Now you can go take care of business at a relaxed and easy pace."lol....