How many sail solo

[jameswilson29]

Originally Posted by Tempest

Lots of good suggestions so far. I would say that as a single hander, one of the best things you can practice is heaving-to. Many tasks can be executed from this position..even if it's just to take a break to eat a sandwich.

For a quick break, my boat is stable on a point between a close and a broad reach with the jib eased to the point of luffing on a close reach. With the wheel locked, the boat will head up, fall off, head up, fall off, without having to back the jib as in heaving-to.

[lapworth]

Heaving-to is great for fishing!

I was trolling with some friends when we tangled up our lures in a crab pot. This can cost you big time, but instead I just heaved the boat slowly pulled in my lines saved my lures. Crew was amazed.

[lajimo]

I find that with inexperienced passengers (most of those who "crew" with me), having practiced sailing alone comes in very handy. With judicious use of the autopilot, I can more easily change tacks by myself than risk problems with crew that are reacting too slowly to avoid flogging jib lines, etc.

[WanderingStar]

Interesting dockline discussion. Summer on a mooring, prior winters alongside a dock, this winter in a slip. In the past I think I brought my lines aboard on departure, now I leave them. The bow lines on pilings, the stern lines on the floating dock. On return I, (or crew) snag them with the boat hook. My method when bringing them aboard usually consisted of throwing one across the dock, then carrying the other as I stepped off.

[GaryHLucas]

The Wingnuts tragedy got me thinking about the kind of injuries that can occur on a sailboat. I wonder if the two people that died had been wearing say a bike helmet, would they maybe have survived? People often mention the destruction below decks in a knockdown, and being tossed like a rag doll. Would a bike helmet when single handing be much of an inconvenience, and maybe save your life? You're wearing a PFD and clipped on, then the boom slams you in the top of the head, does any of the rest matter?

Part of the reason I've been thinking about this is that we moved my dad into an assisted living facility. His friend was there, but was moved to a nursing facility after his second fall and a head injury. It really is tough to protect the elderly from falls. One fall changes EVERYTHING! Dad broke his hip about four years ago, and I spent a couple of long nights lying on top of him as he hallucinated from the pain killers. It is hard to get them to always use a cane or walker, a helmet would be nearly impossible.

Maybe we need a sailing helmet. A tilley hat with a hard shell and soft brim?

Gary H. Lucas

[smallboatlover]

no sorry i know i would never wear a sailing helment ive seen other people use helments mostly little kids but i know i would never

[TheHisway]

I sail solo. and when i do, i have one rule. no liquor only beer and wine when im solo.
just finished 934nm solo down icw. good times. no auto tiller, i dont mind for now.

[Jeff_H]

I enjoy sailing single-handed and have generally single-handed more than not, but less since so since I got married. Probably the only change that I do when single-handed is that I used twings on the spin sheet on shorter passages, rather than putting the sheet in and out the snatch block with each jibe.

Like everyone said, its all about planning ahead. I typically have two reefs roved that I can pull in from the cockpit when single-hand (although I have never needed more than a first). I have specially cut jibs which are intended have very wide wind ranges. I use an inflatable harness and jack lines. I tend to use the autopilot more frequently and the spinnaker a little less. I use the winches closest to the wheel more, and the forward winches less. I center the traveller when short tacking into a tight channel rather than playing. I rig dock lines and bring them outboard to amidships before coming in. But otherwise single-handing not all that much different.

Jeff

[travlineasy]

Actually, there are special helmet type devices for patients prone to falling. They're been around for years, but few if any of the assisted living facilities utilize them. Nursing homes, however, do use them. Ironically, they would probably be fairly comfortable while sailing in rough weather.

Gary

[smallboatlover]

i were a pfd when i'm by my self when im with people i usally don't. I do have a pull cord pfd. But my boat is a 16' so it can tip. ive never had it tip because i don't want it to tip because it's so big so it would be hard to right. But i think this year i will be wering the pull cord pfd more instead of the regular pfd because i don't think the boat will tip exspecailly now that im comfortable with the boat.