Singlehanders out there! - Page 3

KerryOn · #21 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009

Nice looking Farr Jeff.

Capt.Fred · #22 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009

I'm a newbie and am having fun. Reading forum after forum I have learned a lot. As I mentioned previously, I designed and hand built a FG 50' 23 ton cutter ketch y'awl. It is a center cockpit and the mizzen was behind the hydraulic steering station, so I guess the large mizzen made it a cutter yawl. Anyway she still is beautiful, fast, powerful and has a history of ocean passages, exploring remote jungle rivers, winning some races and chartering. I alway single handled her and it took me at least five years of sailing to make enough mistakes and survived them to actually learn how to sail by myself. Look on Google "Sail the Daedalus" if you care to see my baby. I sold her in 2002 and have no financial interest in her, but my heart skips a beat every time I see her out and about. I have surfed on hughe combers into the entrance of Morro Bay. I have simply pulled away from a lee dock fully rigged in 15-20 knot winds many times. I have docked almost 90% of the time fully rigged with 22 passenger on board. I have beached the Daedalus on a lee shore almost every day, to allow my passengers the opportunity to comfortably climb down and swim. I now own a trailerable Rob Roy 23, which I have modified for ocean sailing. I have been working on her for a solid year never missing a day, even if it's just sorting tools. That is how you get a big job done, you never miss a day. Amen

WanderingStar · #23 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009

Pics somewhere on this site, posted by others, of my ketch Wandering Star. I started sailing twenty years ago in an 11' dinghy, and worked my way up to a 39' ketch. She is very traditional, no autopilot, but steers herself well. The halyards are on the mast, but I don't find it a problem to walk forward to set or strike sail. Singlehanding is just like sailing with crew, only a bit more careful. Build your skills and confidence with experience.

TQA · #24 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009

Started on a Jaguar 22 and took it as far as Stornoway going North from Troon and down to Albania from Pula. Lucy Lockett was a great boat,

Then was a liveaboard on a Ryton 38 for 7 years, a heavy and not very pretty steel ketch but it had huge water tanks and a comfortable centre cockpit so was a nice boat to sail in the Caribbean which I did single handed from time to time.

I would post pics but the uploads are failing.

redcobra · #25 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009

Pearson 39 yawl. All lines led to the cockpit. Roller furling 150 and Doyle stackpack full battened main. Windlass and Auto pilot. Biggest hassle with single handing is getting into the slip on windy days.

jmolan · #26 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009

34' Searunner Trimaran, Center Cockpit with Mast, wheel, winches, all in the cockpit. Amazingly easy boat to singlehand.

Scroll through some shots in the first URL of a Westsail and you will see my boat after that. (the westsail is there to show off the Dynex Dux rigging)

Dirtboy · #27 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009

I'm a re-entry sailor. Sold my last boat in '95 from lack of use. I was just too busy at work to take time off to sail. Now I'm semi-retired and have a few days to sail.

In February I bought a Morgan Tiger Cub (She's also named Tiger Cub) 28.5' keel/centerboard sloop. She's in good shape for a 45 yo boat but I expect many projects. Most of my sailing is solo or short handed (with complete novices) and I don't plan much more than day sailing or weekending. She draws 2.9' board up and 7' board down, great for our shallow Florida bays.

These pictures are with the small jib (95%) and I noticed excessive weather helm, I couldn't leave the cockpit for anything. I've since installed the 120% genoa and the helm can be left un-attended for several minutes now. I haven't installed the auto pilot yet; next project.

Halyards are winched on the mast and I don't find going forward to lower the main a problem.

I'm still learning her "feel" and haven't aproached the dock under sail, yet. It was my practice to only warm the engine and not really use it with my old boat, and that's my first goal with this one.

I do not have all the proper equipment to solo off shore. I'm using a Spot locater right now but need a proper Eperb. I'm also looking at self inflating life jackets and teathers. I'll venture further out as my equipment and comfort level increases.

DB