Singlehanded sailing book recommendations

[GrowleyMonster]

Old solo sailors never die.






They just smell that way.

[scallowayuk]

hi, ive done over 50,000 miles offshore ,mostly singlehanded, includng 7 atlantic crossings, there are some good books , that i have in my collection , desperate voyage, john caldwell, fight of the firecrest ,. in quest of the sun , gospel of the sun , alain gerbault. escape to the sea fred rebel, he sailed across the pacific in an open dinghy and made his own sextant, trecca around the world john guzzwell, he did it in a 21 footer. you have already done the hard bit, going to sleep with no one on watch , thats the biggest psychological hurdle, having spoken to many long distance sailors most of us get a bit nervous setting out on a long trip after time ashore,but this goes as soon as we cast off, dont read donald crowhust, as he commited himself to a goal he could never achive, and he couldnt back out because it was so public. he didnt have the mental attitude, and you cannot sail away from your problems. and get ais for peace of mind. also watch the dove, a film about robin lee graham sailing around the world as a teenager. and google laura dekker, regards.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by scallowayuk

and get ais for peace of mind.

And radar with a LOUD alarm! (IMHO).

Mental attitude is an interesting one, golden globe racer , 3 times on everest summit so obviously a very tough cookie, but couldn't handle sailing alone for weeks -

and adventurer Kevin Farebrother who pulled out of the Race on Sunday, disillusioned by solo sailing and lack of sleep,

Kevin Fairbrother pulls out of Golden Globe Race - MySailing.com.au

I love it! And probably sleep more overall mid ocean than on land

"Stress free sailing" - good link, downloaded - ta.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by oceanshoretiga

I don't know why the focus on mental illness. Solo sailing can be good for lots of things

The focus on mental illness may come from the fact that some people may need more brain stimulation than sea, sky, navigating, and maintaining.

That plus the lack of sleep for some could cause problems

[john61ct]

The hallucinations and confusion from long solo sailing

are perfectly normal responses to lack of variety in sensory stimulation and sleep deprivation

not due to mental illness

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by john61ct

The hallucinations and confusion from long solo sailing

are perfectly normal responses to lack of variety in sensory stimulation and sleep deprivation

not due to mental illness

The point is if you are on the edge a bit the experience of solo sailing could cause problems to become more evident that were before somewhat hidden

Crowhurst is a good example of this

Btw, when you get your first boat and just anchor out alone for a weekend or for a week I think you'll realize how different it really is.

It's a bit strange at first especially with no Comms except VHF

[conachair]

Originally Posted by john61ct

The hallucinations and confusion from long solo sailing

are perfectly normal responses to lack of variety in sensory stimulation and sleep deprivation

not due to mental illness

Always been a disappointment that I've never experienced any in the slightest, even after a month. Was looking forward to that Well once, heard mumbling about cricket coming from somewhere. Turned out the ssb receiver had turned itself on to the cricket commentary on BBC world service when there still was some

[JohnT]

Go to Webb Chiles' web site, hit "logs" at the top and download The Fifth Circle. A good read. Then visit other areas of his web site.

http://www.inthepresentsea.com/

Some good reading there!

John

[cburger]

If it's not already been recommended read "Dove" about the adventure s of Robin Grahmn.

[Foolish]

Thanks to those who have mentioned my book Singlehanded Sailing; Thoughts, Tips, Techniques & Tactics
I've covered as much of the mental stuff as I could possibly cover, including emotions, hallucinations, crying, sleeping deprivation, and really important is the spiritual aspects of singlehanding. It's funny that the book has been referenced in a book about famous psychologist Carl Jung and another book on ocean psychology.



I have always held that the difference between singlehanding and crewed sailing is not about the technical aspects, but completely about the mental aspects. Things are mighty different when you have to do everything by yourself.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by Foolish

I have always held that the difference between singlehanding and crewed sailing is not about the technical aspects, but completely about the mental aspects. Things are mighty different when you have to do everything by yourself.

Though on the technical side lot can be covered in a few words - better looking at it than looking for it ...

[hamburking]

I once needed to deliver my newly purchased boat the length of Lake Ontario, a short passage of just 150 miles. I did not want to go alone. I called everyone I could think of, and finally my father agreed to come. He didn't know how to sail and was sick the whole time. When we arrived in Kingston, he handed the head rope ashore and stated that it was the first and only thing he had done to help the entire trip (3 days, 2 nights), and he wondered why I had wanted crew when I could everything myself.

Many times I have taken guests out on my boat, and sometimes even strangers, just so I would not be sailing alone. I am proud of my solo accomplishments, but rather have someone to talk to, even if we aren't talking.

[SV Sailfish]

Originally Posted by conachair

Always been a disappointment that I've never experienced any in the slightest, even after a month. Was looking forward to that Well once, heard mumbling about cricket coming from somewhere. Turned out the ssb receiver had turned itself on to the cricket commentary on BBC world service when there still was some

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by hamburking

... Many times I have taken guests out on my boat, and sometimes even strangers, just so I would not be sailing alone. I am proud of my solo accomplishments, but rather have someone to talk to, even if we aren't talking.

In my case, more often it's been my young daughter.


The truth is, I've done lost of singlehanded miles, but I really don't enjoy it after 2-3 days. That's enough alone time, and the psychological challenge does not interest me. As for the technical challenge, that's is just a matter of being well organized, good at planning far in advance, and good at fixing anything. It gets pretty easy with enough practice.


My thoughts on the subject:

https://amzn.to/2AHVaDo

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by cburger

If it's not already been recommended read "Dove" about the adventure s of Robin Grahmn.

Yeah, but remember he couldn't wait to get off of that boat.

They barely were able to get him to finish sailing around the world.

Actually, I believe his second book may be more interesting than the first one ....The Dove.

The second book tells of his readjustment once he got back to Los Angeles. It was a rough adjustment. He ended up in Montana where I believe he still lives today

If I remember correctly, he was given a car by some group or company but he didn't know how to drive.