Solo Sailing without Auto Pilot?

[Dave22q]

A time tested plan is 4 on and 4 off. Going solo is beyond stupid. Nobody on watch is suicidal.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Dave22q

A time tested plan is 4 on and 4 off. Going solo is beyond stupid. Nobody on watch is suicidal.

Tell that to the 100's of sailors that have circumnavigated and crossed oceans every year singlehanded

Also, a watch that's half asleep isn't really worth much.....

Maybe you need to sail offshore 50 miles or so and see what's out there. It actually ain't much.

[transmitterdan]

Sailing alone isn't suicide I agree.

But what are the statistics on solo sailors in terms of deaths and/or rescues needed?

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Dave22q

A time tested plan is 4 on and 4 off. Going solo is beyond stupid. Nobody on watch is suicidal.

You may want to notify the guys that have sailed the 2000 plus mile Singlehanded Transpac Race (SHTP) from San Francisco to Hawaii since the 70's that it's suicidal.


http://sfbaysss.net/archive-shtp-web...tsThru2012.htm

SHTP 2018 | Singlehanded Sailing Society

[seandepagnier]

I recommend a wind vane of course, as this is can be very robust and reliable.


Autopilots do not need to use much power. I have a free autopilot anyone can use my design and software:

pypilot - open source marine autopilot

This autopilot cost is less than 1/3rd of the simrad tiller pilot. It keeps course using very little power. My friend also tried it, and reported it works significantly better than his simrad tp32, making far fewer corrections.

It averages from 1-4 watts to keep course depending on sea state, I have sailed offshore for hundreds of miles with it.

In protected waters in light winds, it drops down to less than 1 watt to keep course and works much better than the wind vane. Ideally you would have both, switching to the electric autopilot when the wind is light.

[Sunsetrider]

Not relevant admittedly, but as a data point: Not a sailboat, but my Albin 25 sort of looks like one in a dim light. After local boating for 3 years I plan to head down from the 1000 Islands to the ICW and the Bahamas next season. To gear up for that solo adventure (unless I can find a 1st mate, like a grandson or similar) my first priority has been to acquire some sort of AP for those longer stretches when I need a bathroom break or a sandwich - there is a guy who specializes in used auto pilots. I found him, and now am about to install an "ancient" AH3000 - the kind with 1 and 10 degree buttons only, a wheel pilot. Tis is the same unit I am familiar with from the 80's on my former Mirage 29. It's all I need, and of course being power only, energy drain is not an issue.

$500 CAD refurbished motor new bushings. I could not imagine leaving home without it. That and my windlass and 12V fridge!

[boatman61]

Remember.. this is a small boat, 23ft with a transom mounted rudder..

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by TrentePieds

Pete7 sez the OP's boat is a Grampian 23. I haven't been able to find that the OP sez so, so perhaps Pete has the information by virtue of being a moderator.

No super-secret Mod powers required, the OP has a few threads running and he mentions his boat in one of those.

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by billknny

That's damning with faint praise if I ever heard it!

Moore 24's have raced doublehanded from San Francisco to Hawaii many times, sometimes in pretty nasty conditions. Web Chiles likes his for the simplicity and sailing ability. It wouldn't be my choice for this trip, but the Moore 24 has an impressive track record. And yes, it's still mostly about the sailor.

[CapnBazza]

Originally Posted by Tidjian

I'm wondering if anyone has any video or book advice for solo sailing Atlantic or Pacific without Auto Pilot?

I've been browsing around the internet for a couple weeks now and have found plenty of great solo sailing videos and books. But mostly all of them are larger boats with AP. I want to get an idea of how I will need to setup sleep patterns as well as try to maintain some course heading when not at the helm.

It has been done before, I am sure it can be done again but why would you? My advice is to take at least three autopilots when you set out because when AP goes on vacation cruising ceases to be fun.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

Moore 24's have raced doublehanded from San Francisco to Hawaii many times, sometimes in pretty nasty conditions. Web Chiles likes his for the simplicity and sailing ability. It wouldn't be my choice for this trip, but the Moore 24 has an impressive track record. And yes, it's still mostly about the sailor.

Exactly.


A small light boat like the Moore 24 would totally wear down your average sailor, but Webb Chiles is different and most probably equipped with a very strong sailing body with all the miles he's done

But one thing for sure, it doesn't help with marriage.............he has quite the record if I remember correctly

[Moncoeur]

Andrew Evans (Foolish Muse) has done a lot of long distance solo sailing & writes well about sleep patterns from a psychological & neurological perspective. His book is free:

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

[Jim Cate]

I must point out that the shtp is a sponsored and regulated event. ALL the entrants must demonstrate competence and experience, and they must complete a qualifying solo passage prior to entering the race. There are loads of specific training events available to entrants, a vessel inspection by hard nosed inspectors and a mandatory equipment list.

This in contrast to what appears to be a complete novice proposing to set out on a pacific crossing and RTW with little or no experience (hasn't said yet), a boat that might well not pass inspection or meet specs, and that will be overloaded (apparently, if he really intends to add >1500 lbs to her) as well. And he thinks he can average 6 knots and without serious self steering abilities.

Ain't the same thing, is it?

Jim

[JPA Cate]

he thinks he can average 6 knots and without serious self steering abilities.

Tidjian, if the above is true, you're in a world of hurt. The Grampian has only a 20 ft. waterline. Our previous Insatiable, with a 29 ft. waterline only averaged 140 mi per day, year in and year out. I think you're looking at under 100 mi. per day with the Grampian, downhill, with a strong tail wind--and no circumnavigation will be only that. The world is bigger to a smaller boat.

I honestly doubt you have enough storage room for adequate water for the voyages you're considering, let alone food provisions, and tools.

A.

[robert sailor]

Remember the Pardy's sailed a 24 foot around the world, different boat and more capable but it still gets down to the sailor, especially when things start to be a challenge. A Cal 25 circumnavigated although it was beefed up a bit but that is hardly an offshore boat. I'm not trying to encourage our sailor to make the crossing because while it can be an easy trip it can also be an ass kicker and you need some good experience to go along with your enthusiasm but many small boats, smaller than 23 feet have made crossings. It really is all about the sailor and with lots of experience which this young fellow doesn't sound like he has but he can get... trips like this are doable. Not my cup of tea that's for sure but everyone to their own.