I have been solo sailing a 15 Ft. Sloop for several months now. Early on, I learned that when all Helter Skelter was all too often breaking loose, I found myself swinging wildly for something to grab on to; as I deperately needed to change my position from port to starboard; grab the tiller that was out of control, etc....
To resolve the issue of potentially being thrown around until I could resolve the reason for the chaos, I installed a new set of cleats; on the cockpit middle left, one on the cockpit middle right. I then extended a "bull rope" (3 inch thick braded rope) from the starboard cleat, across the middle of the cockpit, to the port side cleat.... Now, I had something to grab onto in that Chaos jumps me llike a Mean Alley Cat...
Absolutely, one of the Best modifications I have done to the boat. Can't tell you how many times, the Bull Rope has saved my bacon....
Two days ago, I had the sailboat in a launch position (standing in shallow water, next to the boat, ready to shove and jump in). There was very little wind. I turned my back for 1 second (bad idea), a wind Gust grabbed the sailboat, and it was now sailing without me...
I made a deperate jump and managed to grab the Bull Rope with one hand. The rest of my body was dangling outside the sailboat along the side in the water. I then wrestled to get a second hand on the Bull Rope and using a bust of energy slithered myself into the cockpit. Soaking wet, coughing, blowing water out of my nose... I took the sail controls and smiled (main sheet, Tiller, Jib Sheets) and finished up what has been one of my best days of sailing today...
I'm thinking of hangina another Bull Rope (12 Ft long), like a Cats Tail from the back of the Sailboat... Why, as a Solo Sailor, you just never know...
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I was hanging on the side, as she began to sail without me
