I'm on Deep Creek near the mouth of the Magothy; yesterday coming back from a Yacht Club raftup we had 12-16 out of the south, chop building to 3 feet. Since we had a schedule to keep and the wind was on the nose we motored back.
I've only been off the South twice in my new boat - we normally head north on the bay to escape the sea nettles (which I heard have made it to St Micheals already).
I've taken Patience Two out many times single handed even though nothing is rigged to the cockpit, at 14 ft of beam it is a stable platform even if the waves are off the beam, so I don't mind going forward to raise the main. Otto takes pretty good care of keeping me dead into the wind (ST60+ on wind vane mode).
Sailing a Gemini catamaran single handed gets to be fun on a starboard tack as the helm is on the starboard side putting the port side winch about 8 feet from where you stand/sit; it makes trimming a little more difficult.
When ever I'm single handling (I have more time sailing single handed on this boat than I do with crew) I got through all the set up and preparation I can think of to make sure I'm ready for my next move -
I always set up the off winch for a tack
I always have the boards down 1/2 way on both sides so I don't need to adjust (normally windward down, leeward up)
I clear the sheet tails constantly so I know they will run free
I keep the main sheet on my shoulder so I can pop the sheet instantly.
I keep the Rum within reach of the helm so I don't have to leave
