Is sleeping OK?

[JonEisberg]

Originally Posted by davidpm

Originally Posted by davidpm View Post

It would be great from our point of view if the law had special rules for single-handers. It however does not.
[

Sure the rule would state:
Any sailor who puts up a jolly roger flag is automatically the stand on boat. While the JR is flying they may drink what they want, sleep with whom they want or alone if necessary whenever they want.
If two boats both flying the JR collide the the government shall buy a new boat twice a good for any survivors.

So as you can see I was completely serious.

While we are at it we need to draft legislation for socialized Harley maintenance.

Well, glad to hear it - sometimes around here, it's a little tough to tell (grin)

Someone else actually IS arguing that different rules should apply to yachties, after all...

[Ferretchaser]

Jackdale did a darn fine job navigating his butt srtaight onto my ignore list. Well done that man.

ATB

Michael

[Capt.aaron]

Originally Posted by JonEisberg

Well, glad to hear it - sometimes around here, it's a little tough to tell (grin)

Someone else actually IS arguing that different rules should apply to yachties, after all...

I'm certainly not arguing for different rules for yachties, however a rule added for single handlers to display there situation is a valid and interesting thought, one that only popped up in this discussion. I live by one rule out there, don't get hit. By a yacht or a tanker. and if I'm on a tanker, don't hit a yacht. It's pretty easy to not get hit and pretty simple to not hit something. stay visible when you can't keep your eye's open and look for visible stuff when you can.

[jackdale]

Back to "Is Sleeping OK?"

Two things needed to be considered.

1) Is it desirable?

2) Is it feasible?

Is It Desirable

A well rested alert crew is essential. A single handed sailor must be as alert as any other sailor, so yes it is desirable. If there is a collision, it may prove undesirable as the sleeping single-hander will likely be held, at least in part, at fault.

Is It Feasible?

I can think of three ways in which a single-handed sailor can get some sleep:
1) Maintain the course using an wind-vane, autopilot or some other method.
2) Use a sea anchor or drogue to stop or slow the vessels progress.
3) Heave-to

Maintain the course.

An autopilot can either keep you on a compass course or on a wind angle. The wind vane will keep the same wind angle. A shift in wind angle will cause an autopilot to either follow the wind or result in poor sail shape. A wind vane will follow the wind shift. Either way you are giving up control of the vessel.

Sea anchor or drogue

These will either keep you bow or stern into the wind or waves. They can be deployed with some difficulty, but they can be a struggle to retrieve. Deploying and retrieving whenever you wish to sleep could be problematic. In either case you will slow down, taking longer to complete you passage.

Heaving-to

While you may be able to took off all headway (very hard with a fin keel boat), you will still be making significant leeway. If you heave to while going downwind you will, at least be going in the right direction. If you heave to going upwind, you will be headed the opposite direction, lengthening the time for your passage as you make up for lost ground. Remember to heave to from a port tack onto a starboard tack which might make you stand-n to port tack sailing vessels.

So can it be done? - yes, it might be difficult.

Should it be done? - in my mind, no. If you really want to do it, please do it far from me. Just make sure you have the appropriate lights.

[MedSailor]

Originally Posted by wannabsailor

I’ve been watching solo crossings/sailing on you-tube. What’s the rule on sleeping while sailing in the middle of nowhere?

Take it from me. Bring along your 5 week old and you won't have to worry about sleeping on watch....

Now, back to trying to get the little guy to sleep....

MedSailor

[Capt.aaron]

Some dudes just are'nt cut out for it Jack. that's O.K. What are you worried about, my hove to vessel at noon is going to collide with your over stuffed yacht class? so I should stay out of the PNW as not to get too close to you because what again, those of us that solo are what?

[SimonV]

Originally Posted by jackdale

Aaron - I think you know this; but I have about 10,000 miles of blue water experience (3 times Hawaii to PNW and once Newport, RI to St. Barths via Bermuda).

This summer was the only time I had to get outside help; I am eternily grateful to AMVER, CG Honolulu and the Navarino for the medical evacuation from Turicum.

My balls are not in the rigging, they are firmly attached to me. Pulling along side an 1100 foot container ship mid ocean takes some cojones.

10000 Nm is that all, I thought you were an old salt and I started to listen to you. Now I realize most of yours is Book tought, I have well over 30,000 Nm and more than half are single handed. It just goes to show some talk the talk others, well...

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by SimonV

10000 Nm is that all, I thought you were an old salt and I started to listen to you. Now I realize most of yours is Book tought, I have well over 30,000 Nm and more than half are single handed. It just goes to show some talk the talk others, well...

10,000 blue water; 36,000 total.

Almost all of it while being paid.

I actually wrote some of the books.

[JonEisberg]

Originally Posted by Capt.aaron

I'm certainly not arguing for different rules for yachties, however a rule added for single handlers to display there situation is a valid and interesting thought, one that only popped up in this discussion. I live by one rule out there, don't get hit. By a yacht or a tanker. and if I'm on a tanker, don't hit a yacht. It's pretty easy to not get hit and pretty simple to not hit something. stay visible when you can't keep your eye's open and look for visible stuff when you can.

No worries, Aaron - I was referring to a different poster...

[Capt.aaron]

Originally Posted by jackdale

10,000 blue water; 36,000 total.

Almost all of it while being paid.

I actually wrote some of the books.

WO, that makes my 12,000 miles a year seem like a lot. all getting paid too,