What Is The Big Deal About Single Handling?

[Island Time O25]

While I have outmost respect for solo sailors and their stamina, personally I view single handling, or for that matter any short crewing, as work. Surprisingly, I don't find fiddling around the boat fixing stuff to be work. Go figure.

Anyway, I prefer a mixed company for daysails and a more knowledgeable crew for longer hauls. I just don't see getting wicked tired and exhausted as something to look forward to although I've done a few difficult (weather wise) week+ trips.

And as far as personal achievements are concerned for me finding and fixing an electrical, mechanical or any other problem is more rewarding than not sleeping 24 hours or some such. I guess it's brain over brawn for me. And I don't want to mix the two, which is what singlehanding basically is. ))

[El Pinguino]

Single handing the way it was back in the day when men were men and pansy was the name of a flower........

[weavis]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Single handing the way it was back in the day when men were men and pansy was the name of a flower........

Thats Boatie as a little boy!! ^^^^^^^^^^^^

[s/v Beth]

I hope that the solo sailor that braggs about it myth has been laid to rest. 3 boats down, my commercial captain friend takes his boat out solo, in the North Atlantic, during the winter. He says he needs to test the self steering vane-I think that's just an excuse. I won't take my boat out during the same time with full crew, too dangerous!
He says he is going to retire soon (though his company keeps on offering him jobs so that he will stay) so he can sail to Mexico, then Hawaii, then back here to Oregon for a warm up to real adventuring...
I don't think he has told anyone except me and a few other sailors about his exploits. He does it because he loves to sail, and his family is sick of his 60 years at sea...
BTW- I got him to try CF. Doesn't like it. "too much talking"
I will keep his cherished privacy, but here he is testing his dingy.

[Liam Wald]

Even when the wife or other guests are aboard with me I am still basically single handing.

[Doug4bass]

Single HAND a little, and you'll find your answer.


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[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

While I have outmost respect for solo sailors and their stamina, personally I view single handling, or for that matter any short crewing, as work. Surprisingly, I don't find fiddling around the boat fixing stuff to be work. Go figure.

Anyway, I prefer a mixed company for daysails and a more knowledgeable crew for longer hauls. I just don't see getting wicked tired and exhausted as something to look forward to although I've done a few difficult (weather wise) week+ trips.

And as far as personal achievements are concerned for me finding and fixing an electrical, mechanical or any other problem is more rewarding than not sleeping 24 hours or some such. I guess it's brain over brawn for me. And I don't want to mix the two, which is what singlehanding basically is. ))

If you find it hard work.. your doing something wrong..

[Island Time O25]

Originally Posted by boatman61

If you find it hard work.. your doing something wrong..

I didn say hard work, just work. ))

Initially my boat was not set up for single handling. I'm now half way there but doing the set up very lukewarmly, more for the few times I'll need it than for real 24/7 sailing. Besides if I'm signlgehanded for a long time who is going to do those tequila shots?

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by boatman61

If you find it hard work.. your doing something wrong..

I agree.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

Anyway, I prefer ..... a more knowledgeable crew for longer hauls. I just don't see getting wicked tired and exhausted

I think a more knowledgeable crew fir day trios is fine but NOT for longer passages. Thats the time to settle back, relax, and put into practise what you have been taught, and to figure out the rest of it yourself.

As for tired and exhausted: just do things slowly. Do the fewest things you can and sleep a lot. Take your naps before you start to get tired

Mark

[sailpower]

Originally Posted by Saleen411

. So again...why all the bravado about single handling?

I think most are answering the wrong question. The OP is asking about single handling which is a different topic entirely.

[nimblemotors]

That looks a lot like bragging!

Originally Posted by Jon Eisberg

Hmmm, someone may need to explain that to the French...

Once they come to understand that, then perhaps someone else will be able to beat them around the world...

:-)

[Jon Eisberg]

Originally Posted by nimblemotors

That looks a lot like bragging!

LOL! Yeah, I suppose you're right, only a solo sailor would celebrate a victory with a display like that...

Hmmm, so Team USA is quicker to whip out a bottle of bubbly than a Frenchman... go figure...

:-)

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by Jon Eisberg

LOL! Yeah, I suppose you're right, only a solo sailor would celebrate a victory with a display like that...

Hmmm, so Team USA is quicker to whip out a bottle of bubbly than a Frenchman... go figure...

:-)

That's because the team was stacked with Aussies & Kiwis. They like to drink and it was the fastest way for them to get one. The celebration was secondary.

[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by monte

Single handing, solo sailing, solo anything is usually the ultimate challenge. Being totally self reliant and self sufficient. Most of the great documented voyages have been written by or about single handed sailors. Man or woman and yacht against the elements, amazing tales of survival. Take 'all is lost' as an example ( ok just kidding! ) Take Slocum, Mortissier, Dumas or Taberly or any of the golden globe/vendee globe sailors. Sailing solo is more difficult than sailing with a crew and most sailors have the utmost respect for any that attempt or complete prolonged voyages offshore alone. I know I do.
That said, some are just a bit crazy and don't play well with others

Man, machine and the elements.

Hasn't changed since we lived in caves. Well the machines have but not the desire to brave the elements and test oneself.

I too always sail with my wife. The benefits are many. When she's off watch I'm then soloing and vice versa. The best of both worlds.

I must saying leaving and returning to the dock solo is a good skill to have.

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