woman singlehanders

[deniseO30]

I thought I'd read this old thread and lo and behold.. spam! Porn related too!

I was going to say.. I don't singlehand my boat.. I try to singlehand it.. (in a blow it handles me) Since getting the main halyard to the cockpit, and having lazy jacks it's been 300% better!

(still need a lighter anchor and smaller rode)

Fair winds!

[sailingdog]

Thanks Cam.

[Lesmusic1]

Three years ago my husband said, "Let's get a sailboat" , me, who rides Jet Ski's and water skied thought he was nuts. He baught our sweet 28ft Newport and now I live and breath sailing. I read every book I can get ahold of about sailing, I study on line, I stay on the boat leaving my husband at home more then he likes. Now, he works too much but my drive to sail is so strong....I'm afraid to take her out by myself. I've been on stage for the last 28 years, (musician) and now I want to spend the rest of my life on my sweet, quiet, lovable sailboat.

Any females in The Portland, Oregon area that wants to sail with me on the Columbia River? I plan to sail off in 3 years with or without my husband and need to keep practicing and learning and having fun!

[deniseO30]

You can go on stage but your afraid to sail? Fear of stage is one of the biggest fears anyone can overcome! (I used to do allot of public speaking)

By making a post here already shows your getting ready to overcome your fear. I'd like to suggest you go! Have a friend or ask your marina to have a boat nearby in case you get in trouble. GO! (pick a day with light air!)

Do it all in stages!

Know all your gear, safety gear, how to start engine, things to watch out for. how to read your instruments etc.

Docking, tying off, handling the boat around the harbor.

motoring, navigating, learning the "rules the road" etc.

Leaning how to raise sails, douse sails, furling and flaking.
get comfortable with moving around your boat while underway. How to tie off and or use the autopilot.

Make sure you get the boat set up for single handing. it's not terribly expensive to run the lines to the cockpit.

If all this still intimidates you.. try taking a sailing course. Don't rely on hubby. Hubby's are good for lots of things but not teaching! as evidenced by so many guys here on sail net! They always advise couples to take separate sailing instruction! Reading is something I love to do also, but sooner or later, you gotta get out there! By the way I single hand a 30ftr, or least try to!


Good luck!

PS: there are people that teach how to handle and sail you on your boat too if you can find one.

[sailingdog]

Lesmusic1-

Don't be afraid to take her out yourself. If you do, remember to setup jacklines, and use a tether and harness. You want to stay on the boat when singlehanding.

[Lesmusic1]

Thank you every one, I'm new to this site. It helps when you have other people to relate to. My main worry is our gear shift thing...it is hard to work, or maybe it's just so different then speed boats. I got everything else covered...just a big boat and a small area to get out of in our marina. Once I do take it out alone, I will let you all know...it will be next week( before rain hits)

[pjj]

I am a 47 yr old woman and I have been singlehanding for about three years on the Hudson River in NYS. I do sail with others but they are not always around. I enjoy it and have been complemented by men; said I made it look it easy ( he single hands as well). It is a different experience than sailing with others.

[Lesmusic1]

My husband is taken his sweet time to sail and get our boat ready. I have decided to plan a trip with or without him in 2 1/2 years. My problem is, he makes the money and he is real tight with it and never wants to fix the boat. I must go so what do I do?

[PBzeer]

Have you sat down and discussed this? Is he aware of what's going on with you, and you with him? If not, that's the first thing you need to do.

If you are bound and determined to head out, with or without him, you need to make that choice now. Then you can set about making it a reality. Or do you expect him to make it easy for you to leave?

I don't mean to sound harsh, but you need to straighten out the personal situation first, before you worry about the boat.

[sailingdog]

I think PBz has hit it on the head. You really do need to talk to your husband and figure out why he is dragging his feet on getting the boat ready and why he won't pay for fixing it. Letting maintenance and repairs go on a sailboat can get very expensive, since it is often far cheaper to fix something or replace it than it is to have it break catastrophically. It is also far safer to do so, since the forces involved on a sailboat are massive... think about how much energy is harnessed by 400 sq. ft of sails in 20 knots of wind, and that's on a relatively small boat.