On a smaller boat that doesn't have autohelm the other things I would add to Chuck's list are a breastline for quick tie-up in docking, and learning how to heave-to. I often singlehand and the latter has allowed me do many things I forgot to do before setting out, or to use the head, or reef the main.
Incidentally, many thanks for those who replied to my earlier post about crossing the Georgia Strait, I successfully did that, solo, few weeks ago and the comments helped. Strong wind warnings, gale force warnings and even a waterspout advisory! I told my family that I was back, safe and sound but there had been a few clenched sphincter moments. One of my sons-in-law does not have English as his first language and he told me that he had to check with Google as which part of the boat that was! Patrick Wesley, The Boat, C & C 24 — Sent from Mailbox for iPad On Fri, Oct 11, 2013 at 6:50 AM, Chuck S <[email protected]> wrote: > FWIW, I enjoy singlehanding my boat but pick my days. The sails are not the > biggest challenge. For me, it's always been docking. Docking can be > challenging in a crosswind or in strong current, and I learn something > everytime I go out. The bow of a sailboat wants to spin downwind as soon as > she loses forward way. This year I started "backing in" when the wind is up, > and that proved a better alternative. The bow follows the keel that way. > Before docking, I rig my fenders and have lines bow, stern, and spring, > coiled at the gate, ready to take myself onto the float, or hand to someone > else. The tricky part is stopping the boat alongside the float and getting > from behind the wheel thru the gate onto the float with docklines in hand, > and secure them before the boat reacts to wind and current and the bow spins. > I think I've learned a lot docking the boat for ten years, and the only > scrapes occurred from dockside helpers who tend to pull the bow line in too > tight. I feel docking is still the most challenging aspect of singlehanding. > The more you know your boat and the more practice you get, the better you get > at timing your turns and controlling your approach speed, and the easier it > gets. > Having the jib on a furler is a must and some days you can sail with just the > jib and not have to deal with the mainsail cover or flaking the sail. I use > an autohelm to steer the boat and raise the mainsail by hand, using the winch > only for the last few inches. When I bought my boat there were two frozen > sheaves for the main halyard that forced us to use the winch. I didn't find > the problem until the following summer and then I freed the sheave at the > mast deck collar and the sheave in the deck organizer and lubed the track and > now anyone can raise the sail without the winch. > I plan to install lazy jacks, but meanwhile I have to wrestle the big sail > onto the boom and reflake it at the dock, before putting on the cover. > Occassionally I have my son along and one lowers the halyard in a controlled > way so the other can flake and tie the sail on, but lazy jacks would make the > job a little easier. > Summary: you'll get used to the bigger boat so buy the biggest you can > afford, don't forget the annual costs of slip fees, winter storage, > insurance. Research and know the value of things. One new sail costs more > than a whole instrument package, or a good feathering prop. Setups for > singlehanding should include good roller furling, lines led to cockpit, a > reliable engine and good engine controls (remember docking), lazy jacks. If > you're handy, things can also be added to an otherwise good boat. I added the > Harken furler and autohelm and many cruising amenities to my barebones racer, > but your boat should include those things. A professional survey will run > around $600, so presurvey a few boats yourself before going to that step so > you only have to pay that fee on one boat. Happy hunting. > Chuck > Resolute > 1990 C&C 34R > Atlantic City, NJ
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