Single Handed Cat

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by downunder

If you have a very limited budget Cats will be problematic and a momo more manageable.

So true.

And also we always want to keep the hot woman on the Catamarans, so we need a place for all the other ones.

[Sand crab]

The mods here are badass.

[Sand crab]

Those multi girls.........

[Dulcesuenos]

Originally Posted by boatman61

If I may enquire.. why are you restricting yourself to a Cat... you'll still have steps to clamber up and down.. the motion is much sharper and if unsteady on your pins a mono has much more to grab onto close to hand than a multi..
Plus they're a damn sight cheaper and more bang for the budget buck...
Standing by for Yowling Cats...

He already said he cant live standing on a wall. Monos lots of fun to walk around under way. .. Not to mention rolly anchorage. Windy marina etcetc

Sent from my LG-LS980 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[BahtSimpson]

Hope you dont mind me latching on to your thread.
Am in a similar position looking for a cat to cut loose and enjoy whats left. Probably wont livaboard but intend to sail far and wide. Have taken a liking to the new Outremers and sorely tempted by the 51. Experienced sailor but never sailed a performance cat. Anybody think the 51 is way too much to handle on your own if she's set up for it? Any thoughts on setting up the boat?

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by BahtSimpson

SNIP

Anybody think the 51 is way too much to handle on your own if she's set up for it? Any thoughts on setting up the boat?

When I see a question like this my first thought is the answer is yes it is too much for you to handle, just because you asked the question.

Most boats can be set up to make it easier to single hand. But more importantly not everyone will agree on what is the best way to set it up. If you get a little more experience you will be the best person to answer the best size boat for you to single hand.

[cwjohm]

If you are on your own why would you want a 52. I would have thought a 42 or 45 would suffice.

[cwjohm]

Typo. I meant a 51.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by cwjohm

If you are on your own why would you want a 52. I would have thought a 42 or 45 would suffice.

He's got lottsa 'Bahts'...??

[BahtSimpson]

Originally Posted by cwjohm

If you are on your own why would you want a 52. I would have thought a 42 or 45 would suffice.

True but I really want one It is a seriously impressive, go anywhere boat. Just trying to decide if its going to end up being more work than fun. Anybody else out there coping with a 900 sq foot mainsail?

[cwjohm]

Outremer standard is winch on the mast for halyard which really means it is a two person job to raise the main. You can bring halyard back to electric winch assuming a fixed mast so it can be operated by one person in theory.

Theory and practice however, can deviate. In flat seas I would have no problem bringing the boat into the wind and raising the main. In fact I do it regularly. In lumpy seas it becomes problematic as you need to keep an eye on steering the boat, raising the main and watching it does not get caught in the lazyjacks as it jumps around. When inevitably it gets caught it is difficult to lower and control at the boat at the same time.

It stands to reason that the smaller the main the easier it is to sail single handed.

I have never sailed an O51 but I have sailed boats of a similar size and I would not relish sailing it single handed, but I suppose everything is possible.

[fishead]

Check out the Chris White 47 foil sail.

[Factor]

Originally Posted by cwjohm

I have never sailed an O51 .

I have. And yes it is entirely possible.

[Lizzyfish]

I solo my FP Venezia 42 all the time. The key is to set things up to solo, good electronics, auto pilot, lines run to helm and good fundamentals. I'm an ocean boat and did 2,700 miles last winter, it was great. Sadly I'm frozen in at my dock in N.J. this winter due to foot surgery!

[BahtSimpson]

Thanks for all comments. Think I answered my own question with a short sea trial. The Outremer 51 seems a very suitable boat for single or shorthanded sailing. The rig is extremely well set up and thought out. With the sensible inclusion of an electric winch the main can be hoisted, lowered or reefed by one person probably using one hand and without leaving the wheel. Nice touches include having the lazy-jacks set low and wide on the spreaders to reduce snagging on the battens and the lines lead direct from the foot of the mast to jammers by the winch to reduce friction and jamming.