first solo sail

[TomScanlan]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Try this for the tiller:
http://www.davisnet.com/product_docu...TllrTmrINS.PDF

And try this in your track and on the bolt rope to make things go easier:
McLube Sailkote Dry Lubricant for Marine Environments

I'm a fan of sailkote. It made the sliding hatch over the companionway so much friendlier. No more grunting and squealing, just push with a finger.

as for the tiller helper, That's pretty much what I was talking about, except that I'll just do it with what I have on hand. No need to spend cash if I can avoid it.

[TomScanlan]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Tom-

It does get easier with practice. I hope you have jacklines, a harness and tether installed on the boat, since you're single handing. The primary thing about single handing is to stay on the boat.

BTW, just be aware that the cockpit lazarette locker really needs to be dogged shut when you're sailing a J/24. The lazarette locker, if it isn't dogged shut, can downflood in a broach or when heeled excessively, and fill with enough water to sink a J/24. It is a fairly common cause of J/24's sinking.

I didn't tie in that day, but I will be in the future.

As for the j/24 tipping and swamping. I do keep the lockers locked, and the hatches closed. And, you may find this humorous... but I've been saving and storing 2-liter bottles in all the unused space below deck. I also bought a great used air mattress to sleep on, rather than foam (a steal at 8 bucks). I don't have 33 cubic feet filled up (enough to counter the j/24 weight) with these free flotation devices yet, but I may get there

[tjaldur]

In my opinion you should not hesitate about some sort of autopilot/selfsteeringsystem, if you want to sail alone. Not only for handling the sails, but for also for being able to respond to different sort of calls of nature, whether it concerns output or input. You may need food or something warm to drink.

From time to time you will need both hands for the compass or charts or other functions concerning dead reckoning. Having an autopilot is almost better than a crew member (it does not crave sleep or beer).

With an autopilot you set the course directly in the winds eye and let the engine run at a speed to balance the wind and you have all the time in the world to handle your sails.

[tjaldur]

oooops, almost forgot. Never, ever do anything on deck whatsoever without being connected to you boat with a line.

[DebCon]

Tom,
Good going on your solo. It's the start of an entirely different level of sailing. I bought my a Pearson 26 in San Diego last year and one of my first year goals was to sail solo. You're absolutely right about in and out of the slip. The boats aft of me are very expensive and starbord of them is a sailing school I have to pass every time I come and go. Fortunately haven't given them anything to snicker about. Reverse is your friend! Very helpful for stopping forward momentum. Also using both the tiller and engine to stear is much tighter. The first few times I went out were dedicated to using only main or only jib. This helped in working out individual details without exponantilly (spelling?) complicating my head trip. I assume that once a tack is completed you prepare your lazy sheet well before the next tack.
When friends come out now they are welcome to do as much as they want but in the end it's like a ballet to me and I do my dance.
Enjoy,
Deborah
Pearson 26 #1396
HONU KAI
San Diego

[sailingdog]

How about stepping off onto the dock... shouldn't have a tether on doing that.... makes getting to the bar difficult.

Originally Posted by tjaldur

oooops, almost forgot. Never, ever do anything on deck whatsoever without being connected to you boat with a line.

[tjaldur]

Always keep an auxiliary line long enough to let you reach the bar (and find the way back to your boat.