Singlehand an Ingrid 38 Cutter?

[SkiprJohn]

Zee, you are special!

[SkiprJohn]

And, to me, it's not that I can't do it. It is a matter of whether or not I want to do it. Obviously there will be times when you have to singlehand and dock and moor while you're at it. It is just so much easier to do in a 32 than a 38 or a 42. Everything is bigger and heavier and can crunch a bunch more.
kind regards,

[mrohr]

Hellooooo, this guy has no real experience by his own admission and some folks here are saying " just go for it" ???????

[Celestialsailor]

So other than myself...who here has sailed, docked, anchored and rode out a storm on an Ingrid 38?

[HopeFloats]

To not be repetitive, I am also in agreement to go with the Westsail 32, based on size alone. Go small, go now. You will not regret it, whereas I have encountered many thwarted dreams because the boat was too big. Big is not better.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by mrohr

Hellooooo, this guy has no real experience by his own admission and some folks here are saying " just go for it" ???????

Well, if he's going to kill himself on the Ingrid he's almost as likely to kill himself on the Westsail.

[zeehag]

am sure he will at least try to find an instructor of some kind to help him learn.
i am so special my ears lower on command...
he may find trouble, buti think he may just do good...ye think?? he aint young n stoopit anymore--he even came to us and asked if he will die--i think he might live thru it.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

So other than myself...who here has sailed, docked, anchored and rode out a storm on an Ingrid 38?

..........Ya...that's what I thought!

[Strait Shooter]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

So other than myself...who here has sailed, docked, anchored and rode out a storm on an Ingrid 38?

I have and still do!

My first boat was a 26' Laguna that I learned to sail on. Two years ago I bought my Ingrid and I can dock her, sail her, anchor her, reef her, set sails, strike sails and anything else anyone else can do on a small boat.

Some people can do things, some can't and shouldn't.
If HE'S comfortable with the idea and takes the time to learn slowly, then by all means, "go for it".

Those who can, do. Those who can't are happy to try and convince everyone that if THEY can't do it and feel comfortable, then NO ONE can or should even try.

What's your point? You think no one but you has ever done this on an Ingrid?

I don't get some of you people at all. Of course I consider that a good thing.

[Celestialsailor]

Read the original post. The guy has little to no experience. Why would you want to start with an Ingrid. I could handle mine ok alone but it was much safer with crew. So whats your point? Reckless abandon? It wasn't for you or me. We started out on smaller boats. He should too. Have you taken yours offshore? Have you had it in big winds and big seas by yourself. Let us know.

[Boracay]

Too many years ago in Shute Harbour (North Qld. Oz) I watched a Frenchman single hand an Oceanis 34 that he had sailed from France.

He brought that boat into the wharf, tied up, did 15 minutes of whatever then was back on board and gone. All under sail.

So why not the modern equivalent, the 343? Ex charter they could go for less than $70k, which could be less than the cost of the Ingrid by the time necessary repairs and upgrades have been done, it's got to be way easier to sail, particularly singlehanded, and if starting in the Virgins he'd be in one of the worlds best cruising areas.

[Strait Shooter]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

Read the original post. The guy has little to no experience. Why would you want to start with an Ingrid. I could handle mine ok alone but it was much safer with crew. So whats your point? Reckless abandon? It wasn't for you or me. We started out on smaller boats. He should too. Have you taken yours offshore? Have you had it in big winds and big seas by yourself. Let us know.

Dude, what's up?
O.k., you're a bad ass sailor and no one comes close to you in experiences. Does that make you feel better now? I'm sure we all respect and admire your vast knowledge and experience. We'll all do just as you say because you spout off so wisely in an internet forum, happy now?

You first asked if anyone else had experience in Ingrid's. When you got an affirmative answer you tried to up it a notch and ask about big winds and seas. I've single handled her in 35 knots and in fairly large seas, so what? What's next? Let me guess, hurricanes, typhoons and tidal waves?

I've respected some of your past posts but disagree with your assessment of needed experience before you sail a 38' boat, is it o.k. If anyone disagrees with you?

Is it harder to learn on a bigger boat? Probably. Can it be done? I'm betting it can. I'm willing to let each individual reach their own level of competency and comfort in their sailing lives as they see fit. You're doing him and every new person that will read this thread a disservice by making blanket statements.

Some of us leave our comfort zones on a regular basis. It's how we learn new skills. Others take years to have the same thing happen. To each their own. I dislike when someone comes across as being the know all, be all answer man.

Lots of ways to skin a cat, right?

[stillbuilding]

Originally Posted by chebba

How long do you think it would take an average fellow, 62 and in reasonable good shape, to learn to safely and reasonably singlehand the above mentioned boat. He is a newer sailor but with gusto and a great ability to learn. He desires the additional living space over a Westsail 32 but is worried about ever being able to enjoy the lovely Ingrid. Carrying it a step further, will he be able to handle the Westsail? He needs to singlehand but will of course take any training needed. He has already been training and sailing with a friend on a Hunter 37 Legend. He has spent much of his life on or near water and is 62 years wise, slow and cautious. He plans to live on board also. His cruising ground for the Ingrid would be the Mexican Riviera and the Bahamas for the Westsail. The Ingrid costs 25% more than the Westsail but both are fair deals. thanks so much, for considering this possibly silly question.

Not sure how long it would take to learn everything required but sure can do so. Can crush your foot on a 26'er (done that) or a 38'er with just as much ease. I am your age and about to launch a 62'er which i expect to single hand on occasion and have crew at other times - if they are convivial.

Sure a bigger boat needs powered devices, more thought and planning and maybe change of plans. Maybe you anchor out till the wind drops rather than clean the topsides of adjacent boats in a marina. Believe it or not there are lots of places where anchoring out is just fine.

I reckon with a bit of thought, some help and time you can handle the Ingrid if that boat suits you . Probably good space and means your not changing boats with the usual expenses that go with that.

You can tune things for single handing, add a bowthruster, buy more fenders, get a well powered dingy for anchoring out and have the leisure to sail where there is less pressure.

If you are confident and thoughtful you can manage easily.

[Hud3]

Other than the formidable bowsprit, what's so different in single-handing an Ingrid 38' versus any other 38 footer? The OP said this...

...62 years wise, slow and cautious. He plans to live on board also. His cruising ground for the Ingrid would be the Mexican Riviera...

I think he'd be a good candidate for single-handing. He'll build his skills slowly and thoroughly, not pushing the envelope too hard, and after a reasonable period of time, he'll be an experienced old salt.

There's nothing too difficult about single-handing a 38' boat, as long as you think, plan, and use good judgement. It's important to understand weather forecasting, have an autopilot, and a sail/running rigging plan that's manageable by one person, safely.

p.s. I've done passages in weather up to Force 9 and have been caught out in 50-55 knot squalls, and my 39' 7" 25,000 lb Island Packet was easy to sail alone. As far as docking, I only got myself into a fix once, and was able to extricate myself without too much embarrassment.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Strait Shooter

Dude, what's up?
O.k., you're a bad ass sailor and no one comes close to you in experiences. Does that make you feel better now? I'm sure we all respect and admire your vast knowledge and experience. We'll all do just as you say because you spout off so wisely in an internet forum, happy now?

You first asked if anyone else had experience in Ingrid's. When you got an affirmative answer you tried to up it a notch and ask about big winds and seas. I've single handled her in 35 knots and in fairly large seas, so what? What's next? Let me guess, hurricanes, typhoons and tidal waves?

I've respected some of your past posts but disagree with your assessment of needed experience before you sail a 38' boat, is it o.k. If anyone disagrees with you?

Is it harder to learn on a bigger boat? Probably. Can it be done? I'm betting it can. I'm willing to let each individual reach their own level of competency and comfort in their sailing lives as they see fit. You're doing him and every new person that will read this thread a disservice by making blanket statements.

Some of us leave our comfort zones on a regular basis. It's how we learn new skills. Others take years to have the same thing happen. To each their own. I dislike when someone comes across as being the know all, be all answer man.

Lots of ways to skin a cat, right?

No need for aggressive behavior my friend. I'm trying to point out that yes, anyone can take an Ingrid out by themselves, dock, reduce sails and what not. But if the OP's friend is inexperienced and things heat up while sailing, that boat can be a handful. While I was in 35+kt. winds with only 150 sq. ft. of jib up, I was curious how much pressure was on the tiller and disconnected the Monitor self steering from it. The pressure was amazing. We had tried various combinations to balance helm but it was too much sail. Imagine an inexperienced fellow with no self steering.
As far as "spouting off" on the Internet. Isn't that exactly what you're doing? I mean do you want to be happy or do you want to be right?
You and others telling an inexperienced sailor "it's just fine and go for it is easy especially if you lack heavy weather or offshore sailing. The people I see successful with sailing have taken somewhat of a conservative approach. Starting on a smaller boat as you and I have and some taking courses.