singlehanding

[joseph53p]

I am interested in hearing of the experiences of people who have set out cruising alone, or who have met those who sail alone. In particular I am curious as to whether these individuals tend to be loners, or whether they are welcomed by the cruising community as opposed to being viewed as antisocial weirdos. My perception of cruising is one of a close knit, friendly community, and I wonder if the experience is still enjoyable, even if solo.

[dazeoff]

I have sailed 300 miles and mostly single-handed (Florida, Exumas, CUBA, Abaco) I have only ever met brilliant sailors. In 22 months I only ever had to lock my boat whilst in Nassau Harbour!!. I have also met many lone sailors - both men and girls who are always made welcome and in any of the cases the ''Cruisers Net'' on VHF ch68 at 8.15 is proof they are all welcome

[Amalie]

Hello I went now three times over the atlantic and arround south america singlehanded. I think I''ve seen a lot on the trip.
Singlehanding is a lone thing on the water, but for me it stops when I enter a harbour or a ancorage. Then a lot depends on how you behave towards the other people. But is it allways in live. Never mind, how others see you, the more you are in with yourself the better you fit in with others!

[adamgrabowski]

Try reading Robin Lee Gram''s (spelling ?)
"Dove", or Tania Abie''s "Maiden Voyage".
Both a little sappy, but they will give you a good idea of first time singlehanding.

[svdragonseeker]

I have lived aboard for about 10 year now and have been singlehanding all that time. I just got back form 2.5 years in the Caribean and had a great time. Most all of the people were just wonderful to me and took me at face value.
I do beleive that in order to be alone you have to like yourself and not need to be around others to feel like a person.
I have never been around a better group of people than the sailing community. There is always a firm basis upon which to start a conversation. It has been great for me.
SV

[wherever]

I live and travel alone aboard my boat and find that because I am alone I am often even more likely to be welcomed into many communitys that I visit.

[marram]

Well, I have to say this thread is good news to me. I plan to cruise in my "next life" and frankly, finding a suitable partner seems a long shot. It isn''t just a matter of convincing someone to go, cruising takes much skill and a great deal of mutual trust. If I cast off lines on my own at least, as one of you wrote, I''m only alone during the passage!

--Mike