Single Handing for Beginners

[Stu Jackson]

1. You could run with just the genoa/jib, upwind and down.

2. Stand in front of the wheel when tacking.

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by Fog Bank

This might provide insight. It is worth a read IMO.

http://sfbaysss.net/resource/doc/Sin...irdEdition.pdf

Hope it helps.

A ha!

Keeping in mind that we are sheeting to the high
side of the boat, the steps to a perfect
singlehanded tack are:
1. Ensure that the lazy sheet is laying ½ wrap
around the unused winch.

2. Remove the active sheet from the cleat of the
self tailing winch, but leave two wraps on the
winch.

3. Start the turn.

4. Just as the jib is back winded, remove the
wraps from the winch and release the sail.

5. Pause the turn just 20º past head to wind.
Use a knee to control the tiller. This pause
should only last a few seconds and not long
enough to lose speed.

6. Moving across the cockpit, grab the lazy
sheet and pull fast and hard. The plan is to
ensure the sail is inside the lifelines. That is
the only measurement of success; if the sail
is completely inside the lifelines.

7. Using the knee, control the tiller to drop the
boat down to close hauled.

8. Sit down with the tiller in the leeward hand.

9. With the winch handle in the windward hand,
winch the remainder of the sheet. It may be
necessary to steer with the tiller under the
knee and use both arms to drive the winch.

10. Get the boat under control and at best
possible speed on the new tack.

11. If unsuccessful at keeping the sail inside the
lifelines, there are two possible approaches.
a. If racing, activate the auto pilot and
walk to the fore deck to skirt the sail.
b. If cruising, ease the jib sheet and turn
head to wind. Winch in the sail as it
flops inside the lifeline, then bear
away to fill the sail.

I love point 6!

[Fog Bank]

Originally Posted by Macblaze

A ha!



I love point 6!

[Terra Nova]

You don't need an autopilot to single-hand a 33' boat.

[sailorchic34]

While I have an autopilot, it is far too slow on auto tack for my overly responsive rudder. What I do is before a tack, standing in front of the wheel. Really single handed you should never be behind the wheel.

Anyway I uncleat the working sheet, I'm really old fashion and don't have self tailing winches either. Then I reach across the cockpit and grab the lazy sheet which already has two or three wraps about that winch depending on winds. Both sheets in the same hand, other hand is on the wheel

Then when I come about once the jib lufts I start pulling in the lazy sheet and release the working sheet at the same time. Normally I have to unwrap the now lazy sheet so it runs easier, Using the hand that was on the wheel for a second for that. Then verify course etc and make fine tune adjustments. Easy peasy.

But to raise and lower the main single handed does require an autopilot. I've done it without and its so not pretty. Jib alone is easy single handed.

Perhaps advertise for crew.

EDIT: I see the SSSS instructions assumes a newer racing boat. My fairlead track is on the cap rail outside the lifelines so my jib is never inside the lifelines., well not by the fairlead anyway. Best I can do is an 1 inch from the cap shroud. Those newer fancy boats with inboard fairlead tracks, self tailing winches, windlass, etc. will never catch on.....

[jeepbluetj]

I'm in with SC, If i've got the sheet inside the lifelines I've done something wrong - my gennie is always on the outside - So #6 doesn't apply to me.

Have your partner helm. If she can be on the boat, up/dn the companionway, etc.. Spinning a wheel is probably ok.

I use my AP all the time for this - so getting the charter co to swap you to a boat with an AP would take a lot of worry out of it. Things like raising/dousing/reefing are lots easier with the AP.

IMHO gybing is much tougher than tacking because of the need to control the main.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Macblaze

A ha! I love point 6!

Written by an Octopus no doubt in a force 4 I need two hands on a winch handle to get the Genoa winched all the way in when going to windward.

Pete

[ohdrinkboy]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Even with a sore back, if your partner is able to be on the boat and move about I would think they could man the helm during a tack. And either way it doesn't have to be pretty or even maintain the speed, just get around and then get the boat back on its' feet.

tighten up on the low side sheet, put the other in your hand, tack and release the sheet when on the new tack, then trim

I agree...if the mate can't man the helm because of a sore back, you should cancel the trip. Just moving around on a sailboat can be tough on the back.

[Suijin]

Gosh I single-hand my boat a lot and I never use the autopilot except when motoring long stretches. I might have to give it a whirl for tacking.

How you handle tacking and gybing maneuvers single handed is going to be a function of the boat layout, how it handles, the wind, the sea, etc. I think you'll have to try a few things mentioned here and see what works for you. I would say however to simply analyze what you want to do and simplify it as much as possible. For example, gybing introduces additional variables and issues over a regular tack. Just take the long way around until you're certain that you can handle the sheets when contemplating a gybe.

Me, when tacking? At the helm I loose the sheet, bring the boat around in a fairly easy arc, let the jib sheet go and start hauling in the lazy sheet. I then reach back, straighten the wheel when I'm close to my intended trim/course, and properly trim the jib.

Gybing? I sheet the main in tight and keep both jib sheets as taut as I can as I ease it over, to keep it in control. That said, if the wind is anything above very moderate I just take the long way around. Less flogging.

[Jammer Six]

Don't go.

[boatman61]

Maybe he just isn't as 'Salty' as you guys...

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by Jammer Six

Don't go.

Ok. You convinced me.

[fgd3]

Here's how I do it. First I make sure I am trimmed correctly for good boat speed on the current tack. Then I turn the wheel one complete revolution. As soon as the jib starts luffing I cast that sheet off the winch. As soon as the boat passes through the eye of the wind I start hauling in the other jib sheet. My objective is to pull up all the slack before the sail fills. As soon as the sail starts to fill (whether I'm done sheeting or not) I turn the wheel back to center the rudders.

If I'm a little slow I'l need the winch handle to sheet the jib home and I'll need to adjust my course, but if everything is done on time the winch handle is used only for a little fine tuning at the end of the process.

On a tiller steered boat run a line all around the deck through blocks shackled to the toe rail. Put a bowline in one end of the line and slip it over the tiller. Bend the other end of the line to the tiller with a clove hitch. You can steer from anywhere on the deck by moving the line. Make the line tight if you want the tiller to stay where you put it for a few minutes. Then pushing the tiller alee works the same as turning the wheel.

If you are short-tacking you can save yourself some running back and forth across the cockpit by staying on the port side. Run the starboard jib sheet behind the starboard winch and let the winch serve as a turning block. Use the port sheet winch to adjust the sheets. Presumably you can reach the helm and the port winch from one place, so you don't have to move about to tack.

Fabbian

[Jammer Six]

Originally Posted by Macblaze

Ok. You convinced me.

Good.

[Adventurebound]

On windy days I furl in the jib and tack just on the mainsail. Then unfurl the jib. In fact, I would prefer to sail with no jib and one big mainsail. Can point closer into the wind without the jib. Solo sailing is ten times as hard as having an experienced person with you.