Tips for short people sailing solo!

[Lisa P]

Advice needed please!
I'm 5ft tall, lightly built female and can't reach the head of the main to attach the main halyard or zip the sail bag cover. Would adding folding mast steps at the bottom of the mast, and attaching a long sail bag cover zip cord be the only solution or is there something I haven't thought about? (Growing is no longer an option!). Always happy to get other tips for making boat handling easier too.
Lisa P

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[Rucksta]

If you have a stack pack / lazy jack system. slack the jacks to allow the zipper to present to the side instead of the top.

Two steps quite high to the boom as a working platform stepping up from the spinnaker pole works for me.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Lisa.

[pjShap]

I step up on the halyard winch mounted to the side of the mast. Requires being careful to keep my foot pressure pushing the winch only in the direction against the ratchet.

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by Lisa P

Advice needed please!
I'm 5ft tall, lightly built female and can't reach the head of the main to attach the main halyard or zip the sail bag cover. Would adding folding mast steps at the bottom of the mast, and attaching a long sail bag cover zip cord be the only solution or is there something I haven't thought about? (Growing is no longer an option!). Always happy to get other tips for making boat handling easier too.
Lisa P

Sure, single or a couple of mast steps are a good idea. I've certainly been the beneficiary of such installments on 60+ foot boats I've sailed where it's quite a distance to access the main.

For a little inspiration, perhaps watch the Maiden documentary (2018), if you haven't seen it already.

Tracey Edwards is one of the most kick-a$$ sailors on the planet and she's a peanut. I think she comes up to my chin (I'm 5'5").

Here's a useful thread as well, started by KelseyB last Dec/Jan (2021) before she single-handed South to Florida:

Tips for Long-Term Winter Sailing
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ng-243260.html

Kelsey has a couple of other threads that you might find useful like her "help with a big project" thread and the "update for those who may be interested", but the one above has the most number of tips for a single-hander.

Fair winds - and good luck!
LittleWing77

[flee27]

Agree with the mast steps. I have them on my boat and have to use them for attaching the halyard and zipping up the main cover.

Enjoy
Foster

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by LittleWing77

...For a little inspiration, perhaps watch the Maiden documentary (2018), if you haven't seen it already.
Tracey Edwards is one of the most kick-a$$ sailors on the planet and she's a peanut. I think she comes up to my chin (I'm 5'5")...

Interviews with Tracy Edwards, Skipper of “Maiden”
Video [5:24] ➥ Tracy Edwards, Skipper of Maiden
Video [13:00] ➥ https://youtu.be/9wU1AF-6bXo

'Maiden' Documentary Trailer [2:30] ➥ https://youtu.be/HxhEInUzqlE

[Chotu]

One of my boats had one of these. Just a single one. Made attaching the halyard a lot easier. Maybe you can get away with just a single one as well.

It was nice in that it folded down only when needed.



https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/24...g?v=1587741583

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by Chotu

One of my boats had one of these. Just a single one. Made attaching the halyard a lot easier. Maybe you can get away with just a single one as well.

It was nice in that it folded down only when needed.



https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/24...g?v=1587741583

Yup, Chotu.

Exactly what I was thinking (and yes, the one or two on that 60-footer were fold-down as well.)

Cheers
LW77

[markcouz]

Originally Posted by pjShap

I step up on the halyard winch mounted to the side of the mast. Requires being careful to keep my foot pressure pushing the winch only in the direction against the ratchet.

Put a few wraps around the winch and lock it off first, it will prevent the winch spinning out under your foot and landing on your a$$ other deck.

[double u]

much preferred:
https://marine.wichard.com/en/stainl...ries/mast-step

over the heavy, chromed brass/bronze one
no trouble with 70+ kg

[JPA Cate]

The style double u recommends will help your feet stay on the step when the anchorage is rolly.

Ann

[thinwater]

I've seen broad, stable non-skid stools used to go effect many places. I wouldn't knock it until I tried it. The stool would certainly find many uses. We had several on my last boat (my daughter stopped growing at 5').

[Fore and Aft]

Lisa we have our dinghy mounted under the boom. Our kids both stand on it when connecting the halyard or making sure our sail battens don't catch on the lazy jacks.
I wouldn't say 5 foot was short for sailing. It's probably the perfect size, no boat is going to be without headroom and every bunk will fit you.
Cheers

[cat34shamrock]

Lisa,
The folding mast steps are a fine idea. Just remember, it's that much further to fall. You may consider wearing a harness when you are up there, especially underway. I'm 5'6 and carry a folding one step stool that gets a lot of use, also have a step on a couple of lines, like a child's swing, use it as a boarding step and other uses.
Jim