Does singlehanding equal insanity?

[smackdaddy]

After reading through the "Knockdown" thread, seeing the thread about the 80-year-old dude being rescued in the gulf, reading Caldwell's book "Desparate Voyage", reading about another guy that was lost this past year while on a solo circ, and reading about all the youngsters doing their things these days...I'm starting to wonder about singlehanding.

On one level it seems that most people see it as the "purest" form of individuality. And for others it's just a necessity because we're so annoying that no one will sail with us anyway. But when SO much emphasis is put on safety, redundancy, prudence, etc. - singlehanding stops making sense very quickly. In fact, it seems kind of insane.

What do you guys think?

[AndrewMac]

To each their own, I suppose, but don't think any extended single handing is for me. I love doing it for day sailing in my home waters, but a blue water trip....I annoy myself too much for that.

[Jeff_H]

The reality is that most folks doing distance cruising or even lesser forms of serious cruising, are typically short-handed if not actually single-handed and sailing short-handed means fairly long periods during the voyage being for all intensive purposes single-handing as the other crew members sleep or do chores below. As such there is very little difference in how the boat is rigged between short-handed voyaging and single-handing.

I do a lot of single-handing, and even more single-handing with passengers. I assure you that when things get dicey, its often easier to move about and do what needs to be done single-handed without the added burden of taking care of the passengers.

But the one thing that I will say about single-handing is that by necessity you need to be a much physical shape and be a much better sailor than if all you do is go sailing with crew. It really helps to have the right boat.

I am glad that he is okay, but I do not have a lot of sympathy for the 80 year old guy single-handing a design that was a P.O.S. and a bear to sail from the day it left the factory. To me he certainly placed himself in a position that I would not have wanted to be in but also know better than to have gotten into in the first place.

Jeff

[CoastalEddie]

Let's be honest here. Once one has bought a sailboat, spent most or all of ones free time (and money) fixing it up, and then decided to set sail for some far off spot, at a speed little faster than that of a brisk walk, the criteria for insanity have long since been fulfilled. Ones desire to do such activities solo doesn't really make one more insane, it just allows the folks in the white coats to properly categorize the mental disorder in question.

[BarryL]

Hey,

There is single handing where you go out for a few hours by yourself on a nice day, and there is single handed where you sail a long distance from point A to point B.

I do the first one all the time, with my longest solo sail being about 8 hours. I do not want to do the second one.

Barry

[smackdaddy]

Coastal - now that's funny...and so true.

Jeff! Jeez! I'd say you just delivered a serious body slam to the Downeaster 32 Cutter! Zowie!

[MC1]

I think of it from a risk management perspective. Sailing with other experienced crew is a good way to reduce risk, but not the only way. So, when single handing, knowlege, experience, using best practices, a well found boat, a PFD, lifevest, harness, having a dingy available, VHF, cell phone, EPIRB, etc. become more important to offset the increased risk of going out alone.

I guess if it's a choice between single handing and just staying at the dock, take the additional precautions, accept the remaining risk, and go!

If you have other risk factors to consider as well (e.g., advanced age, poor health, risky boat), this may tip the risk-benefit equation another way. Do the math, but remember that staying under your bed is not entirely risk free either.

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by MC1

Do the math, but remember that staying under your bed is not entirely risk free either.

+1 MC.

[TQA]

To singlehand is a decision that many sailors make and why not. Many people like to live a little closer to the edge than others find comfortable.

If you expect the cavalry to rescue you regardless when things go wrong then maybe there is an argument against your decision but otherwise why should it be anyone elses business.

I would not take a 60 footer offshore into the southern ocean but will happily gunkhole around the Caribbean in my present boat singlehanded.

[AE28]

A major factor in the search for "our" current boat was the ability to easily single-hand her.

Even with my Wife aboard, it's still single-handing.

When the weather is great, especially around the Summer Solstice, I've been known to stay out on the lake six - ten hours.

Paul