SailNet Community banner
  • SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

How many sail solo

11K views 92 replies 54 participants last post by  Chkm8 
#1 ·
Im just wondering how many sail single handed no one else on the boat just you? Also what do you do diffrent becasue your by yourself? im just wondering to see were i can improve my self by saiing solo.
 
#62 ·
shartel nice prep. Your extra 65' floating line is something I'll use in the future. True statement of what can happen and this extra line will be great safety
 
#64 ·
Have posted this before but I installed a telescoping ladder off the stern with a snap shackle release. Works well if I were to manage to get back to the stern after going over. Also, an ankle sheathed knife or whitewater pfd knife is much better than any folding knife which is NOT easily grabbed in an emergency. The "leatherman" knives are very nice but useless for an emergency knife.
 
#65 ·
Most long distance single handers would have a wind vane mounted off the stern which would make a stern ladder impractical. Also, my understanding and observation would indicate trying to climb aboard at the stern would be dangerous, probably would get my head slammed by the rising and falling stern in most open water situations.
 
#67 ·
The line is a great one and if you do it correctly it can disengage the auto pilot and engine. I did it with mine, I have outboard but inboard would be same where you have a disconnect placed in line and I have a tiller pilot with a wedge slightly under it. the deadman key and wedge have a coil line on it which is attached to a small line run along side cockpit to ladder. The ladder is held up with a very small zip strap, when rougher weather is around I pitch in my 100 ft 5/8 line which goes up to its cleat and loop around the ladder. The idea is that when pulled it pulls the ladder from the side of the boat and basically jerks the deadman out which kills motor and also tugs wedge to lift tiller pilot from bench holder, either way she always rounds up so as long as I hang on she'll slow down for me.
If I have to float and get bashed up getting on I can live with the bruises and maybe broken arm.
My jack lines are set so I cannot fall over the side not enough slack in them, cockpit has lay low clasp which folds in when not in use.
Anchor can be deployed from cockpit via blocks and winch for retrieving. If I set it up ahead of time, or its to the bow and hand grabbing.
It should be said that basic knowledge is a must as in heave to and reefing ability's under way
 
#68 ·
I don't have everything rigged to the cockpit and need to go to the mast to reef but I do make sure there is never enough slack in tethers to make it possible to get tossed over. I'm going to simplify my rig by doing away with the port and starboard jacklines in favor of one taut center jackline from dodger to mast and one from mast to bow cleat, installing more padeyes at critical points such as getting past the dodger. That is the most tenuous spot so am going to install one permanent, short tether to a center padeye just forward of dodger to secure the balancing act around it. The first line of defense is NOT going over in the first place because all bets are off once you're in the water.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RobGallagher
#78 ·
I'm going to simplify my rig by doing away with the port and starboard jacklines in favor of one taut center jackline from dodger to mast and one from mast to bow cleat, installing more padeyes at critical points such as getting past the dodger. That is the most tenuous spot so am going to install one permanent, short tether to a center padeye just forward of dodger to secure the balancing act around it. The first line of defense is NOT going over in the first place because all bets are off once you're in the water.
I just want to add, although it's been mentioned before, that having a waterproof handheld in your pocket (or a personal epirb) is just as important as a PFD.

Even a waterproof cell phone case could save your life. I coastal cruise New England from NY to Newport and always have a signal.

1. Stay on the boat.
2. Have a way to get back on the boat.
3. Have a way to call for help.

Wave your arms at a passing freighter or swim for it are not on my list. :)
 
#69 ·
Hmm the great trailed line fallacy reappears. Before you rely on this try it out. I bet you will find that not many people can pull themselves back to the boat from 30 feet even with knots in the line at 5 knots never mind 8!

Try it in foulweather gear too!

FYI In a cossie when I was a fit 40 year old with higher than average upper body strength I JUST managed it at 5 knots but that was in the Caribbean, it was a thick rope with knots and it was an experiment so I was expecting it.
 
#70 · (Edited)
Exactly... Outside of a handful of Navy Seals or CG Rescue swimmers, I doubt there are many of us out there capable of accomplishing such a thing, even with the adrenaline cranked up to 11... (grin)

Such a trailing line is usually not in the cards for me, I find trailing either a fishing lure, or my water generator, to be SO much more productive...

Once again, seems to me SO much easier just not to fall off the damn boat to begin with... Not to mention, if you're dumb enough to fall overboard while the engine is running in gear, you DESERVE to die...(grin)
 
#74 ·
I usually go from Carolina to Florida in a series of overnight hops. I have done two nights a couple of times, but try to avoid it. I plan it for a by noon arrival, so that I have the maximum time for rest, before heading out the next day.

I did have crew, Texas to Florida, but I find I stay more alert taking a couple of 15-20 min catnaps, than waking up in the middle of the night for my watch turn. I stay fairly close to shore (mile or two off) and plan my naps for areas outside of major inlets and shipping lanes. And since I use a masthead running light offshore, I also turn on the deck level lights when napping. Maybe not the best way, but it has worked for me. I consider the odds of an encounter with another boat that is not on watch to be too minimal, for anything other than destined.
 
#75 ·
I sail solo maybe 75-80% of the time.

I have a nice boat, so I assume it is my personality. :D

On the lake it was no big deal, just wear a PFD at night.

I'll be on the ocean this year so I'm stepping up:
- Buying an auto inflating PFD with harness
- Leading my main halyard to the cockpit
- Reading SailNet articles :)

I'll have Zoe the wonder pooch with me, so that should help!
 
#76 ·
Sailing Solo and Insurance

I have not yet purchased my boat, but as one whoe does many things solo (climbing, backcounty skiing, cycling) I look forward to my solo sailing adventures. My question is how is a solo sailor convered by insurance either along the coastal US or in the Bahamas or Caribbean?

Thanks!
 
#77 ·
I have not yet purchased my boat, but as one whoe does many things solo (climbing, backcounty skiing, cycling) I look forward to my solo sailing adventures. My question is how is a solo sailor convered by insurance either along the coastal US or in the Bahamas or Caribbean?

Thanks!
HAHA! I dig your user name, TELESAILOR! best of both worlds...
I've never had an ansurance company ask or care whether I was sailing solo or with crew. I don't think it matters. What matters is your experience, credentials, track record, vessel, and waters you'll be sailing.
I'm also a backcountry skier! Fun stuff in all seasons!
 
#80 ·
I have not yet purchased my boat, but as one whoe does many things solo (climbing, backcounty skiing, cycling) I look forward to my solo sailing adventures. My question is how is a solo sailor convered by insurance either along the coastal US or in the Bahamas or Caribbean?

Thanks!
I resort to "Don't ask, Don't tell".
 
#81 ·
It's kind of funny how some people knock some safety gear like ladders, trailing a line, jack lines, life vest etc.

With me my boat is full of all kinds of safety gear. The way I look at it there is probably a small chance any of it will ever be used or save a life. But what it does do is let me know in my own mind I have done everything I can do to make the boat safe.

With my mind at ease knowing I've done everything I can safety wise, I can now concentrate on sailing the boat and carrying out requried task in a thoughtful and safe manner- and that alone may prevent me form getting into a life threatning situation in the first place. Relative to the cost of boat ownership, safety gear is cheap and will last a long time if cared for.
 
#83 ·
TQA and JonE. the line is not a fallacy. One of our favorite things to do is "surf" behind our sail boat. There are few S/V going above 8 knts. Holding on a rope slows the boat down tremendously but it does pull us along. It is fun and tiresome but we do it over and over again as that Great Lakes water is a nice cool off in Mid Summer:). I agree that you have to be careful approaching the stern but I have a ladder. I'm also in my late fifties and weigh a small 260 lbs:( and I never had a problem pulling my self to the boat and I can't do 10 push-ups in a row.:eek:
Believe me when you want to get back to the boat you'll manage. The hardest part will be getting back in the boat, therefore don't fall overboard but if you do your auto PFD and a rope will give you some assurance. As for foul-weather clothing I'll don it and climb on board naked.:D
 
#85 ·
I did this in the Chesapeake bay off a friends sail boat. It was pretty cool, you can aim down and be pulled deeper into the water. I would like to do this in hawaii but little afraid in an off shore water situation as could loose someone. We also have quite a few sharks- don't want to troll for them.
 
#86 ·
I solo most times as well. The skipjack rig often needs one reef in the main and I have learned to go ahead and do it on the slightest suspicion. Then it handles wonderfully. I am learning to anticipate, plan, handle the boat in a calm purposeful way. A lot has changed. Lazarettes now contain entirely different gear than at the beginning...as do the cubbies near the companionway. I really enjoy hearing from all the members who solo and I read constantly. Often part of my days sail will be trying something out that i need to learn or testing something someone else spoke of in a thread. I have been impressed with the generosity on this website and that reminds me that water people really are special. One thing I am looking forward to this year is going east into the broader sections of the Bay where the water and swells have some fetch. Later as time permits a few sails near and through the inlet at slack tide....
hoo haa!
 
#92 ·
FM: Ive been enjoying your book and wanted to thank you for making it available as you have. There are a variety of helpful sections and was particularly enjoying your approaches to self steering rigs. I have something in mind which is a variation of the shock-cord /jib sheet method which Im looking forward to trying this summer. My boat is generally quite easy on all points excepting a run where it is rather demanding at times. Im often better off tacking downwind so as to be on a broad reach instead. anyway still learning and your book most helpful thanks again ChrisCod
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top