Greetings:
I'd like to set up my boat so I can sail her single handed.
What would you consider essential gear to accomplish this,
including issues such as docking?
I don't mean only long distance cruising, but day sailing as well.
Thanks,
Oded Kishony
~~ __/) ~~
well (in no particular order)
roller furling jib
lazy jack reefing for the main
windvane type self steering or autopilot
safety harness
a nice warm woman
;D
Quotea nice warm woman
I do not believe that is single handing......
;D well- if you are on passage it is - half the time for each ;D
I enjoy single handing and have recommended it to several sailors reluctant to try it.
I don't know that you need a lot of special gear, but I do believe that it takes a little bit different mindset. For example, you have to plan things way in advance - things take longer to do alone and they do take more planning to accomplish. As example, I've been out when single handing and had to reef with a lee shore a little too close for comfort.
As another, you mentioned docking; you have to get things ready way ahead of when you would with crew to tend to fenders, docklines and the like. The act of docking itself is probably not that different.
I've found heaving-to to be a valuable technique while single handing (and in general).
But I do think single handing is worth it; there are different rewards.
Gear-wise, about the only thing I do different when going out alone is when I wear a PFD and a harness/rig jacklines. I don't have roller furling and I don't have lazy jacks. But, then again, I'm sailing a small boat.
I think the biggest thing is having things where you can deal with them from the cockpit - lead all lines aft is a big plus. On a Catalina 22 I had being able to drop the head sail from the tiller was great - I could just head to wind ease the halyard and sheet home to put tension on the foot of the sail - that 150 Genny would just flake itself on deck. A few ball bungies or a headsail bag and your done. I anchor from the cockpit as well, I just take the rode forward , run it thru the chock or in front of a cleat then back to the cockpit. When I come into where I want to anchor I lose most of my headway and pitch the anchor over the side letting out as much scope as I think I need before tieing off at a midship cleat. Let the boat spin on the hook and back down and you can throw out a stern anchor if you need to like at a crowded beach. On the CAL 25 things are about the same except I have a Roller for the headsail - I like it better than the halyard run to the cockpit. The SanJuan 23 I have also has all lines running aft to a control arch thats over the companion way - I have not sailed this one yet but there will be a ton of line hanging down into the cabin - Can you say Racer/Cruiser??
Other essentials - Good music, beer, prepared foods like Clif or powerbars, and if you are off shore - Wasabi, Soy and a sharp fillet knife. A bottleor two of lemon juice wouldn't hurt either
Hope that helped some
I mostly singlehand or have guests who have never sailed. They just want to chill and have fun. I have lazy jacks on the main and put an auto pilot on which has been a God Send. My main doesn't just drop however, I do have to go up on deck and assist it down. It is a little contrary. All my lines run to the cockpit. I highly recommend this. Keep your wenches handy too.
I don't think I am willing to trade in my roller reefing system either. It makes life so much easier when singlehanding.
I have an extra mic in the cockpit so I can hear the radio. My radio is mounted below which makes it difficult when you have to stay at the helm. Handhelds are nice for this as well.
I have a bow pulpit with roller. I have not had any problems setting the anchor alone. Sometimes I do a little running back and forth to goose up on it with the engine when pulling it. Being female and petite in stature, I have to occasionally use more than just my brute strength. :)
Docking is not much different. I prepare prior to coming in with docklines, fenders etc. Boathook is great to keep handy. I just approach slowly and try to get midship lines cleated and take it from there.
I keep a small cooler in the cockpit with snacks and drinks.
If alone, I usually do ( or at least think about it) wear my harness and vest. If any chop at all, I attach to the jacklines. ( I know) I have promised my family I will attach every time. I have good intentions.
Singlehanding is not bad at all. Just think ahead what you are going to do and have a great day with it!
Well thanks for all the good advice. :)
I have hanked on head sails (which I'd like to keep) with the halyard led aft. I've seen folks who rig a downhaul to lower the head sails but it seems as if that could lead to a messy tangle.
Most everyone seems to employ some sort of auto pilot. Is Autohelm a good choice? I've rigged a tiller lock with some lines but my boat doesn't track very reliable and needs attention to the helm to maintain course.
What's the most diffiult situation you've encountered while alone on the boat?
Oded Kishony
~~ __/) ~~
Quote from: oded kishony on January 22, 2006, 03:06:12 PM
What's the most diffiult situation you've encountered while alone on the boat?
~~ __/) ~~
Helping another boat that had capsized - It was just a beachcat but I still had to get the crew out of the water and take the boat in tow as the hulls had filled with water and could not be righted - talk about having a little bit of draft, 20+ft when full turtle
Quote from: Pixie Dust on January 22, 2006, 02:23:15 PMKeep your wenches handy too.
Um, OK. ;D ::)
(First, I gotta get me one or two, though!) ;)
Oded -
I singlehand 99% of the time, and I really don't have anything extra set up to do so. Not saying that I wouldn't like to have many of the customizations listed above, just saying that I haven't had the time to do it all just yet. :)
My point is that just because you don't have special purpose deck gear or rigging installed to do it, doesn't mean you *can't* singlehand. And - just a guess - it may help you to do without at first, so that you can prioritize what you need (unless you can afford to go ahead and install it all at once).
Just some food for thought. :)
-----
Jib downhauls work great.
Re: autopilot: Have you tried a "Cajun Tiller Tamer"? It's a line affixed to either side of the cockpit, and wrapped around the tiller. It works really well, and is basically free. Here's a link which explains/shows it:
http://tinyurl.com/d8xac
Quote from: CapnK on January 23, 2006, 09:45:40 PM
Quote from: Pixie Dust on January 22, 2006, 02:23:15 PMKeep your wenches handy too.
Um, OK. ;D ::)
OOPS - I guess I meant Winch handles! :P Sorry for the confusion Capt. K. That should make it easier for you to find. ;D
(First, I gotta get me one or two, though!) ;)
Quote from: CapnK on January 23, 2006, 10:08:30 PM
Re: autopilot: Have you tried a "Cajun Tiller Tamer"? It's a line affixed to either side of the cockpit, and wrapped around the tiller. It works really well, and is basically free. Here's a link which explains/shows it:
http://tinyurl.com/d8xac
Great link; this is basically what I have been doing, but I used a clove hitch around the tiller. This looks to be MUCH better and easier to adjust.
John - It is.
You can take it off just by sliding it back, or you can make incremental steering adjustments by twisting the knot around the tiller. In fact, on my old CP23, I used this when motoring on the ICW, and could "fine tune" the steering to the point that she'd motor for a half mile or more without me touching the tiller (so long as I didn't move around much).
Handy. Cheap. Works well. Gotta love it. :D
I used to do that as well on my Ariel. The cams where in the right position to make it easy. With the Islander I ended up finding a good deal on a commerical version and a couple of extra cams, which have yet to be install. ( #5 on the list of outside project before the spring sail ;)
If you have all lines run to the cockpit, can reef from the cockpit and release an anchor from the cockpit, you've got it made. The only other challenge might be picking up a mooring and that's 90% technique.
there is really only one reason why anyone goes out on any boat alone.its because no one else wants to go.I have found that the most important thing needed for single handing is experience.that is something you cannot buy,you cannot loose,you cannot feel,it is only gained thru the passage of time.
Quote from: oded kishony on January 22, 2006, 03:06:12 PM
Well thanks for all the good advice. :)
I have hanked on head sails (which I'd like to keep) with the halyard led aft. I've seen folks who rig a downhaul to lower the head sails but it seems as if that could lead to a messy tangle.
Most everyone seems to employ some sort of auto pilot. Is Autohelm a good choice? I've rigged a tiller lock with some lines but my boat doesn't track very reliable and needs attention to the helm to maintain course.
What's the most diffiult situation you've encountered while alone on the boat?
Oded Kishony
~~ __/) ~~
You can keep your hanked on headsail and still be able to control your jib from the cockpit using a jib downhaul.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c245/pyrat/Sailing/jibdownhaul1.jpg)
Run a 3/16" line from the cockpit through a small snatch block on the bow up the jib stay through the hanks and attach the line to the last or second to last hank on the top of the jib. You can then pull down the jib from the cockpit and by controlling the jib with the sheet at the same time, you can have it snugged down inside the lifelines. Adding a small cam cleat for the 3/16" line near the cockpit will let you lock the jib in the down position.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c245/pyrat/Sailing/6b6a8abb.jpg)
This shows the bow detail of the installation.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c245/pyrat/Sailing/jibdownhaul3.jpg)
This is a more complicated version of the same thing. It does not require controlling the sail with the sheet while dropping it, but chafe is more of a problem.
Yes, I did that setu with my Ariel. It worked most of the time. From time to time it would bind, but that was only from time to time.
I do all of the above, although I have furling(godsend). However whether corrected or not, "keeping the wenches " is the best advice. Docking, of course is the biggest problem, and I deploy all docklines and only tie up by the stern. after you're stopped you can usually step off and haul the bow in, unless you are in the Stono or one of those Carolina Rivers that run like a scared cat.
Quote from: tigerregis on January 29, 2006, 08:49:34 PM
unless you are in the Stono or one of those Carolina Rivers that run like a scared cat.
Great. That's my cruising ground this summer and next. :o
(Just thinking of Eliott Cut has me doing tide and distance/time exercises...)
LOL @ the "scared cat" description. :) It's right on, though. We get 2-3 kts running through the marina here at full ebb/flow. Makes for some interesting docking. Sometimes it makes for just a little pit stop out on the transient dock, when the beer has been flowing as well as the tide, and prudence dictates waiting for the effects of both to diminish. :D
Where are you at tigerregis? Here in the Carolinas, or have you just traveled through/visited?
Oded,
I have my Columbia Saber set up for single handing, and also have a hanked on head sail. There is tackle there for a down haul, but I've never had the need for it. I just drop the sail and pull in hard on the sheets. to keep it on deck until I have time to deal with it.
As for the other controls and halyards, if you want to see my set up, I keep her in Deltaville, but I'm probably going to bring her up to Urbanna this spring. She'll be in the creek close by. Let me know if you want to see it before the season starts. It's an incredibly simple system.
If you sail the same areas that I do, I don't know how much good an auto pilot will do you. The winds shift so much in the area, that it would be hard pressed to keep to any sort of course. If you're talking about using it on the bay, that's a different deal. I have a small autohelm that may fit your boat, if you'd like to test the waters, so to speak.
Larry Wilson
Across the Creek
Urbanna,VA.
Hey Larry,
Yes, I'd really like to see your set up. I'll be there next weekend weather permitting. I'm definitely looking for simple. I'd also like to talk to you about marinas in the area. The prices have been going up and I'm thinking- 'alternatives'
Oded
Oded,
I'll be in Columbia Maryland on Sunday for a Columbia owners group get together, and I'm working Thurs,Fri,and Sat. Not sure of my schedule the following week, but I'll let you know the minute I know. In the meantime, I'll try to get some photos of my set up.
Larry Wilson
I have found that there really is no need for winch handles on any small boat.winch handles? I dont need no stinkin winch handles
:) For you maybe, but my wife uses a winch handle sometimes. Particularly in hoisting the jib, for getting that last "OOMPH" out of the halyard.
We seldom use them for sheeting, but on occasion she wants one for that too. You CAN just head up a tad , sheet in and then fall off. But sometimes you can't afford to give away that boatspeed and really need the handle.
I singlehand and I don't have roller furling or lazy jacks either...but I do agree that it takes a little planning. Before i head out I gather everything I may need to have handy in the cockpit...I keep an extra fender at reach for any emergency coming in and out of the slip and always have a boat hook there too. All of my lines lead aft and I keep bungee cords where I can grab them fast to secure dropped sails I do have a tiller tamer that is a life saver when I want both hands to grab food! LOL
I think the most important thing is to find what works for you...it takes time and practice but eventually you'll feel so comfortable that somethings become easier than when you have crew.
There was an interesting item in Good Old Boat this month for single handers. The author tied his tiller to the boom with a bungee.With the engine running and the boat pointed into the wind, if the boom shifted in one direction it pulls the tiller to redirect the boat into the wind. I'm going to try it on my Paceship- I hope it works because she has such a skittish helm.
Oded Kishony ~~ __/) ~~
Yeppers. Self steering w/o windvane or autopilot, neat stuff.
There's a HUGE thread on it over on the CDSOA board. Couple of the Cape Dory folks there have been experimenting with it rather successfully.
NANP
NANP- got a link?
Cape Dory Sailboat Owners Association
http://WWW.CapeDory.org
Good site with sheet to tiller info-
http://www.solopublications.com/sailariq.htm
I dont agree with STARCRESTS math - 99% - naww
I single hand because the experience is great, and I have learnt to do it all myself - impress's the ladies no end too ;D
When you can handle the boat by yourself, it means never not sailing when others "cant make it"
I rigged my boat to specifically minimise out-of-cockpit activity and my harness is connected to a ring on the cockpit floor. This gives max access and impossible to fall out (mono-hull so cant capsize) for heavy weather.
As for auto-helm - had a remote fitted for manouvering thru tricky places like coral heads (climbed the ratlines) and fitted an emergency killswitch extension for engine control - full engine remote would have been nice but not necessary.
enjoy the freedom single handers have guests on board - not crew.
Yep- I can find the Cape Dory forum- but where's the thread about sheet-to-tiller? I looked but I sure don't see it.
Svosprey- that's a great site. I've had Letcher's book for years but that site goes into so much detail it'll take a week to look through it all. I have it bookmarked for sure.
The Ariel is so close to the Meridian in all respects whatever works for him should do the same for us.
Quote from: CharlieJ on February 18, 2006, 12:18:23 PM
Yep- I can find the Cape Dory forum- but where's the thread about sheet-to-tiller? I looked but I sure don't see it.
Here ya go . . . one of three; you can find the others on the same seach keywords:
http://www.capedory.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=16889&highlight=self+steering+tiller
NANP
QuoteI single hand because the experience is great, and I have learnt to do it all myself - impress's the ladies no end too Grin
When you can handle the boat by yourself, it means never not sailing when others "cant make it"
Krissteyn- in my case it impresses the men. I get "you take that boat out all by yourself?" ;D You cannot always find crew, but you can most always find guests. :)
I too have the remote for the auto. I love it. I can also sit on bow and read. :) I like your idea of the cockpit ring for tethering. At a seminar in Miami, they suggested keeping a tether attached to the jackline where you exit the cockpit and one attached to the mast at all times, no longer than 2.5-3 ft. They also strongly advised against running the jacklines down the sides of the boat. Idea is to stay on the boat, not fall over and then have to try to get back on. I thought it was good advice.
Single handing is a challenge, but one well worth taking up. There will be times when, even when you have crew, the crew can't help you....so you're effectively singlehanding at the time. It also really works to improve your skills and boathandling, as well as allows you to really understand your boat.
I'm in the process of setting up Pretty Gee for single-handing, and getting to know her... There are some changes I think I will be making, but am holding off until I have a bit more experience under different conditions to see if the changes really make sense.
Quote from: AdriftAtSea on May 21, 2006, 06:03:37 PM
Single handing is a challenge, but one well worth taking up. There will be times when, even when you have crew, the crew can't help you....so you're effectively singlehanding at the time. It also really works to improve your skills and boathandling, as well as allows you to really understand your boat.
I'm in the process of setting up Pretty Gee for single-handing, and getting to know her... There are some changes I think I will be making, but am holding off until I have a bit more experience under different conditions to see if the changes really make sense.
Indeed and you get to have more sail time. There is a guy in my marina, who I have only seen on fourth of july for the fire works for the last 2 yrs. His Catalina 26ft just sits. these days he does not eeven come down to clean it. It has that green mold growing on the deck. Last 4th I asked him , what happen, did he forget he had or boat or the way down to the marina ( being a wise guy :D ). He said he has trouble getting a crew! :-[
How sad for the boat and him. In the mean time i'm out every chance I get singlehanding it. Even before I was comfortable doing it. It is a matter of doing it and practice. Sometimes when I have Lady Zen with me, it is easier to do it sometimes singlehanded, or just have her just hold the helm steady so I do not have to do it with my leg :D.
Successful singlehanding starts with a calm state of mind... I think. In so many ways, singlehanding is about the pursuit of simplicity, elegant simplicity.
Steering: I have had great success with a bungee chord on the tiller plus a continuous line running up one side to the bow cleats and back down the other.
A. bungee chord keeps the tiller at the default setting for a given point of sail. I rig it from rail to rail athwartships, looping the chord around the tiller end. Infinite adjustments.
B. continuous line allows me to make small adjustments to the helm as I work the deck.
C. bungee pulls the tiller back to the default setting after the correction adjustment is made.
The first time I used this system I was distance-racing a light-weight 30 footer on Long Island Sound. I was able to set and recover the spinnakers and genoas, reef the main, and gybe the kite without incident. Since then I have used it for long deliveries either single or double handed (i. e., singlehanded with a person asleep below.)
It is a poor man's autopilot. Sort of.
Preparation: A cooler in the cockpit with food, beverages, and miscellaneous necessities is an asset. It reduces the number of times one has to nip below for a snack or the sunscreen.
Canvass "fall bags" are essential. Every piece of gear must have its own resting place that is convenient to where it is used. Halyards and pennants must be neat and bags do the job best.
No matter what... the first question is how can I make my boat simpler to sail?
Best regards,
Norm
QuoteNo matter what... the first question is how can I make my boat simpler to sail?
;D
Quote from: s/v Faith on September 12, 2006, 09:33:28 AM
QuoteNo matter what... the first question is how can I make my boat simpler to sail?
;D
Ditto that -> ;D
I like Norm's 'semi-autopilot', so much so that I'll probably set up something like that on
Katie. A few small turning blocks to make the leads fair and free, and a light line - nice and simple. Great idea!
Grog for Norm. ;)
Thanks for the grog offer.
I cannot recall who it was that showed me the cheap autopilot trick. I'd like to be able to credit him with the idea. He sailed a quick 32 footer out of Milford, CT, as I recall. Good guy.
The same thing works with wheel steeering, though not quite as well. One can adjust the wheel to a default setting and then make small adujstments as one works the deck.
Best regards,
Norman
Boston
I have been singlehanding for 16 years; boats from 24 ft to 37 ft. Best thing is an engine for docking but only had that on the 37 footer and now have engine on my NorSea 27 (no engine on the westsail, bristol, or the golden hind). Plan ahead and take it slow when docking; be ready to abort and try again rather than hit something. Learn how to warp a boat into a slip.
for sailing, nothing special, just reef before it is needed, tie yourself on when it is rough, and enjoy the time alone.
It helps to have some good solid padeyes in the cockpit, near the tiller or the wheel, so that you have solid anchor points for the lines to the tiller or wheel.
Hay Yawl,
This is a great thread. If it never happens to most mortals, single handing around the tropics (between the 30s) is a dream that makes you want to live until you can actually do it.
Take a look at this: http://vps.arachnoid.com/sailbook/index.html
The author is Paul Lutus. Some of you might know about him. He circumnavigated 20 or so years ago in a Crealock 31 after teaching himself how to sail. Quite a story. The photo on the first page of the journal is compelling enough to get out there and go for it.
I have known Paul and his work (because of his site and the Internet) for a number of years. He has quite a unique take on life...
Quote from: Grampian on December 07, 2006, 02:11:37 AM
Hay Yawl.....Take a look at this: http://vps.arachnoid.com/sailbook/index.html
The author is Paul Lutus. Some of you might know about him. He circumnavigated 20 or so years ago in a Crealock 31 after teaching himself how to sail. Quite a story. The photo on the first page of the journal is compelling enough to get out there and go for it.
I have known Paul and his work (because of his site and the Internet) for a number of years. He has quite a unique take on life...
Man that is a GREAT link! I am really enjoying this. A couple quotes;
QuoteDid you know you can't steer a boat that isn't moving? Just like a life.
And thisone written on the way to Hawaii;
QuoteMaybe sailing is one of those ready-made roles-in-miniature, giving you a feeling of clear, simple purpose in an otherwise cryptic world. Just put out sail, take in sail, look through the sextant, immerse yourself in the minutiae of going somewhere slowly and deliberately, while secretly hoping you'll never arrive.
;D Grog for Grampian!
QuoteMaybe sailing is one of those ready-made roles-in-miniature, giving you a feeling of clear, simple purpose in an otherwise cryptic world. Just put out sail, take in sail, look through the sextant, immerse yourself in the minutiae of going somewhere slowly and deliberately, while secretly hoping you'll never arrive.
;D Grog for Grampian!
Quote
Hey!! I posted this link before on the external link section. I did not get any grog!!! whasss sup??? >:( ;D
Quote from: Zen on December 07, 2006, 12:47:04 PM
Hey!! I posted this link before on the external link section. I did not get any grog!!! whasss sup??? >:( ;D
Here ya go. Grog to Zen for "Prior Art." ;D
Ahhhh, hits the spot! :D
Quote from: Zen on December 07, 2006, 01:54:35 PM
Ahhhh, hits the spot! :D
Sorry man, musta missed it.....
Have another on me. ;D
Hope you are not driving.
Thanks for the refreshment. Zen, sorry your original didn't get credit. Actually, I read that post and thought if someone else knows Lutus this has to be an all right place to land.
I should have given you credit. So lissenup yawl: Zen put Lutus here first and he deserves the credit. Good on ya, Zen. Have some more Grog, too.
If yawl continue to read the journal, you will discover Lutus has an ingeneous way to handle pyerats too. Happened out in the nearby of Australia...
Smashing!
I'd better chill now, my mouse is starting to go all over hte place :D hic
May be time for another intervention... :D
"I tried putting on shoes, just as an experiment. "
Great read. :)
Great link
I am an avid single hander, having sailed thousands of Nm single handed.
The responses above are good and each has merit. The necessity of some things really depends on the size of your boat and perhaps your mobility.
First off, if you are cruising any distance, even for a day trip somewhere, an autopilot / autohelm of some sort is a true blessing. Single handed sailing may be difficult at times if you are committed to staying at the tiller or wheel. It won't be long before you wonder how you ever lived without one, and believe it or not, you will enjoy your sail even more.
A downhaul of some sort is another must anytime there is a chance of rough seas or escalating winds. The bow of a small boat is no place to be if it gets lumpy and the winds are blowing 7 bastards. Don't rely on your halyard - you will only damage your sail and have flogging sheets and sail.
I am also a beleiver in jacklines with a harness and tether. Good skippers should adopt the Boy Scout philosophy - Be Prepared.
Most of the time, single handed sailing is no big deal, but when the weather turns bad, there is really no excuse for not being prepared.
Docking takes some prep and some practice. If you are mostly sailing from your slip and return to the same slip, you may want to consider mounting some fenders on your slip finger - then they are out of the way when you're sailing - and always ready when you return. Since I've started doing that in our marina several other sailors have adopted the same idea.
Fair winds
John
Picking up on what Norm said, its nice to be able to grab things from the cockpit, without having to climb down below.
I'm wondering what other people do.
Thinking about mounting something like this just inside the companionway
(http://mauriprosailing.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/bulkhead_sheets_combi_F.jpg)
http://mauriprosailing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=BP510&Category_Code=BPBLK
C'pete -
Most of my 'grabby' stuff lives in a small set of plastic drawers which sit on top of the counter just under the companionway. Eventually, there will be a set of permanent drawers built there for the same purpose. It is nice to be able to stow stuff out of the weather, and also have it readily accessible. The bag you posted looks pretty good, I like the window on the front - it'd make it easy to see small stuff which had migrated to the bottom of the bag.
I had a Southern 21, among others, in Sarasota. I could rarely find crew and sailed singlehanded often; mostly in the bay. I had a downhaul on the jib and tied the tiller off.
I saw Pam Wall at Strictly Sail Chicago. She does NOT like lines lead to the cockpit for a good reason. If you are up by the mast or forward you are getting a good look around at the condition of your rigging, etc. This is as much a reaction to push button sailing as to lines lead aft, but a good thought. Singlehanding, of course, requires planning and compromises. In the intersest of full disclosure, Pam sails with husband Andy and not alone.
TrT
I had to sail/motor the last 2 1/2 weeks of my trip alone. One thing I did that helped is to make a list of everything I would need in the cockpit with me. Then I would load up at the start of the day and I had everything there. The list will help you to remember to have some of the other good suggestions you learned here.
With re to winch handles, I was sailing up Mobile Bay when the VHF boomed, "SailBoat in the middle of the channel I am a deep draft coal bearing vessel with a lot of suction, you should give me more room." Well, let me tell you there wasn't time in 20 knots and heavy chop to do any winch-less tricks for trimming sail, I leaned over and cranked on my winch handle like mad.
Also, let me share something that worked well with regard to docking... you're alone on your boat but the docks may not be abandoned. Most of the time on the trip I was stopping for fuel or a slip, I "just asked" the person on the other end of the radio, "I'm coming in to the fuel dock and I'm alone, can you have someone there to grab a line." Works well.
Also, on a sail when you are trying to steer and look up stuff about where you are, marinas, channels anything... call out to Sea Tow or Tow Boat U.S. and ask away. They were all very nice and willing to help. It seemed they figured that they were glad you remembered them now to ask the phone number for the next marina so that maybe you will remember them when you need a tow.
And have Tow insurance. This goes along with the "single handing is a calm state of mind" that someone mentioned earlier. I find that my attitude is "if worse comes to worse I can get towed in" doesn't make me lazy about solving my own problems but knowing I have an ultimate out I have the luxory of not panicking and then taking the time to work out my own problems.
Tafelice-
Where was the trip from/to? Any places you'd recommend a visit to? Any photos??
I bought a boat on the east coast and took it home to Tennessee. From Holden Beach, NC to Waverly, TN. about 2000 miles. Went down the ICW to the Okeechobee Canal to Ft Myers up the west coast of Florida ICW to Tarpon Springs, just above Tampa, then crossed the Gulf to Carabelle, then back on the GICW to Mobile, AL then up the Tom Bigbee, to the Tenn R. then home.
Got lots of pictures, not sure how to load them (they're on a digital memory chip).
Well, what to recommend??? I can tell you this, I kept saying "this is the best part yet." So it was all really good. Worst spot by far was from St. Augustine to Ft. Pierce. Uninteresting scenery with narrow channels. But SC and Georgia was nice. Georgia is as bad as promised for thin water and shoaling. If I did it again, I would just not run anywhere near dead low tide in GA period. Got ripped off big time in Fernandino Beach, FL so I would recommend not going into there (use St. Mary's or St. Augustine).
The Okeechobee Canal was a big surprise. Very nice. Enough water despite what is being said however, the lockmaster said we should not take the rim route. Alligators and interesting scenery. The urban ICW of the west coast of Fl was kind of interesting and I enjoyed it. The area toward the Big Bend (armpit) of FL was also very nice. The best part was Apalachicola area. The Apalachicola River and Searcy Creek was some of the best scenery around. And the Tenn-Tom canal (tom bigbee) is like nothing you've ever imagined. It is just wilderness for days and days.
I see you took the long way around... :D What kind of boat did you get???
Get a USB card reader and download the Picasa software package, which is free, from here (http://picasa.google.com/#utm_source=en-us-more&utm_campaign=en-pic&utm_medium=et).
That will get them onto your computer really painlessly. If you're on a Mac, then use iPhoto instead, which should have come with the machine.
Both have plugins or some other way to help you get your photos on the WWW. :D
I bought an S2 9.2C
Yeah, I know I could have shipped it easier but I wanted the adventure/vacation. I was never really interested in doing the Loop but now that I have almost half of it under my belt I may do the other half.
I would really like to see an account of the trip. ;D
Quotethe Tenn-Tom canal (tom bigbee) is like nothing you've ever imagined.
I had looked at the Tenn-Tom to KY, and down the Mississippi as a trip I would like to do someday. There is a nice website for the Tenn-Tom here. (http://www.tenntom.org/)
Tafelice-
I'd like to see an account and photos of the trip. Sounds like it was a good experience... and since you've got half the Loop done, you might as well do the other half. :D
Congrats on the new boat.
I am still trying to decide which way I'm heading when I go south. The boat is in Saginaw Bay [NE Michigan] and I have a brother in Boston. If I can leave early enough, I am tempted to go out Erie/Hudson. On the other hand, I was reminded that it is shorter to get to the Gulf down the Mississippi. I would, however, have to go all the way up and around Michigan to Chicago.
That is a phase II or III problem anyway. I don't start phase I until next week :o)
TrT
I would like to do both the Mississippi/Tenn-Tom and the St Lawrence routes.
My first choice would be the St Lawrence to Halifax, so I could jump from Halifax to either Bermuda or the eastern Carib. I also want to see the old towns of Quebec.
I have heard a lot of negative things about the Mississippi, but good things about the Tenn-Tom.
Mississippi has strong currents, big jetties sticking out from the bank to help reduce silting and lots of barge traffic. not much fun for a small sailboat.
Quote from: AdriftAtSea on April 13, 2007, 02:34:24 PM
Mississippi . . . . not much fun for a small sailboat.
That's kind of what I'm thinking. I've read about the rafts of 50 barges pushed by 1 tug and I really don't care about Great Loop bragging rights. I'm getting into this to be mellow. I understand it often will be less than mellow, but the choice is to avoid what you can; weather, barges or otherwise.
TrT
I read about the barge rafts that are 100' wide and try making passage through 108' wide openings and such... makes me think the Mississippi is very small boat unfriendly.
back to the original posters question, after rereading it I noticed he asked particularly about docking. have longer dock lines. I had 16' dock lines on a 30' boat. those who sailed with me were always suggesting my old ones were too short. finally one person said they should be 3/4 the length of your boat I got off my lazy arse and made new ones 24'. WOW what a difference. Docking was so much easier when you could actually be off less than the ideal length and still have plenty of line to reach or if you have to jump on dock alone how stressless it will be knowing you won't run out of line before you get a couple of wraps. Also, be set up with bow and stern lines on both sides and spring lines as well. I also keep one fender on the non side just incase I have to change my mind after I'm in the marina proper. You would be surprised at how many marina employees, owners and operators cannot accurately describe which direction their dock lies and how the wind is blowing now across them. (often it is not visible until you have traversed their approach channel) And once after taking the time to establish which side I should set up for the operator at the last minute put me on another dock. aarrrrrg.
regarding my trip from NC to Tennessee I sent out a little travelblog to anyone on my address list who would not block me. I'm going to dig them up and post them over in "routes and destinations." I think that is the best place.
for docking, Capt. Jack from Quantum, who appears on Latts and Atts TV on Dish's Water Channel or on your local iTunes, demonstrates some very useful things. I'll have to watch them again to be specific but one that I remember:
He has a spring line, cleated forward I think, he takes a large loop of line and pitches over the piling and then pulls in the loose end. His fenders are preset slightly forward on the dock side and he pulls the boat in tight, cleats the spring line, the boat is secure and not moving and he attaches the other docklines.
Now I have to tell you about the time I got applause docking singlehanded:
[Shameless Brag] I had a slip in Sarasota with a fairly long wide open approach that was typically a fairly broad reach. I came around the point flying jib and main. I loosened the jib so I was just making way. I went forward and took down the main. I had a downhaul rigged on the jib back to the cockpit. I was making just enought way to untie the tiller, drop the jib via downhaul and ghost effortlessly into my slip. I wasn't as slick as Capt. Jack [above], but I managed to loop a pylon and just 'slip' into the slip.
I didn't realize the whole time, my neighbors, two boats over, were sitting in their cockpit with friends and cocktails. When I stepped on the dock, they applauded and toasted me. Being a scruffy working man, all I got was applause, Biff and Buffy didn't invite me to join their friends. They were, however, very nice people anyway. :)
TrT :D
Very true about Sea Tow and Tow Boat US, very good to help, especially with local knowledge regarding channels. Cruising guides are often outdated and info has changed considerably.
I always have lines ready when I come into docks and when I radio to the fuel dock, I inquire if lines are available or not. I also usually let them know I am single handing and can use assistance if available. I have had 50/50 luck with that one. I am finding that some of the locations are self serve for pump out and fueling, especially city marina's. What works best for me is getting the midship cleat on first, then working from there.
I picked up my first mooring ball single handing the other day. WOOOWOOOOWOOO. I have done it with someone else at the helm, but never single-handing. Trick I am told and it worked well for me in 13 knt winds, go into wind on windward side, go slightly past the ball with the bow of your boat, almost to mid-ship very slowly, then walk up and calmly snag as you start to drift back or while it is at midship. Then you are not having to run all the way to the bow. Have your harness attached to one cleat with the free end laying back within reach and slip it on until your boat settles, then adjust.
I try to have all my charting goods in a bag in the cockpit with me, as well as the binoculars, handheld, etc. I keep it in a clear waterproof bag that is made for Wave Runners. This way I see what I am grabbing. I can also keep the camera in there for those Kodak moments. Snacks... oh yeah... gotta have those close by too. :)
I have also learned that being on a boat alone, in strong winds at anchor totally stinks when your boat goes to dragging in a tight anchorage. I am not strong enough to pull anchor in those kinds of conditions with that much wind wave stress on the boat, I cannot be at the helm and bow at the same time to run the engine and haul in anchor rode and it is not always a place you can just let out more scope due to numbers and locations of vessels. This is still a concern and challenge. Not always easy down here to locate anchorages where you can avoid this situation. If mooring balls are avail, my plan now is to pay for it and sleep at night, rather than play bumper boats at 3:00 am.
Still learning!!
Connie-
It might be worth installing a manual windlass, or at the very least a chain pawl. A chain pawl is a godsend for those trying to haul up an all-chain rode, since it lets you take a break without losing any ground.
Quote from: Pixie Dust on April 16, 2007, 10:26:15 AM
I am not strong enough to pull anchor in those kinds of conditions with that much wind wave stress on the boat, I cannot be at the helm and bow at the same time to run the engine and haul in anchor rode and it is not always a place you can just let out more scope due to numbers and locations of vessels.
Another idea:
If you are using a nylon rode, here's a possible low cost solution: Snatch block and a stern line and recover the anchor to the cockpit. Redeploy from there, or if weighing to get underway, sort it out "later." If using all-chain, use a rolling hitch in the chain rather than a snatch block.
To weigh, as you move the boat foward under power (or sail, it does not matter), haul on the stern line which pulls in the rode. The engine/sails are doing the work of moving the boat, and all you are doing is hauling in line/chain.
This way, you CAN use the engine (or sail) while recovering the anchor without having to go to the bow at all. I've used this technique and while it does take practice, it works.
Capn Smollett-
Trying to haul an all-chain rode up in the cockpit sounds like it'd do a real number on the deck. How do you prevent the chain from causing damage when you're hauling it up? Also, where are you tying the rolling hitch to the chain? Outboard of the bow roller, and bringing the anchor rode around the stanchions and lifelines to the cockpit? Is the boat in forward gear (if using the engine) and don't you risk fouling the prop??
Capn Smollett -
You may try an anchor float. Just come next to it and haul it in. Put the anchor somewhere (a 4" PVC pipe on a stern sanction is a good idea) and when you get away from traffic and deeper water, go forward and handle the chain in the bow.
This technique will also also help to the extra bottom on the anchor by pulling it up from the back side.
When I need a break from puttling up the anchor or if it is stuck and I need to motor it out, I just wrap the chain around a cleat.
sailorbum - I would not recommend the Mississippi River route. 2 reasons, The Great Lakes can get quite bad and you will have to go UP the Tennessee River. The current can be too much and you will have to go down the Mississippi a few more miles to another canal.
The other side has some problems as well.
!. Anyone know if the, Singlehanded Sailing Society, is alive? The entries all seem to end last summer, and the moderator does not respond.
2. Are there perchance, ideas on the easiest long term, blue warer capable, small cruiser to singlehand.
??? Shipscarver, are talking about http://www.sfbaysss.org/
I just checked the site seems pretty up to date to me.
Tim
Quote from: Shipscarver on February 14, 2008, 02:34:30 PM
2. Are there perchance, ideas on the easiest long term, blue warer capable, small cruiser to singlehand.
John Vigor's
20 Sailboats to Take You Anywhere is a great place to start.
Any blue water capable boat under 30 feet or thereabouts should be good for the singlehander. Pretty much most of the boats represented by the members of this forum qualify.
As but a couple of specific examples of small boats that have made solo circumnavigations; 2 men and 2 women long distance singlehanders are represented:
Jean De Sud, Alberg 30, Yves Gellinas
Atom, Pearson Triton, James Baldwin
Southern Cross, Southern Cross 31, Pat Henry
Inspired Insanity, Southern Cross 28, Donna Lange
Edit: Fixed Typo in Souther Cross 31
One minor correction, Pat Henry's boat was a Southern Cross 31, since they don't make a 32. :)
I'd second Capn Smollett's recommendation of John Vigor's book.
A couple other boats that are in it include the Albin Vega 27, Contessa 26, PSC Dana 24, and the Westsail 32. IIRC, the Westsail 32, Satori, was one of the boats to survive the "Perfect Storm". The Contessa 32, larger sister to the Contessa 26 of Tania Aebi fame, was one of the survivors of the 1979 Fastnet disaster.
I hope this helps. :)
Has a Dana ever been 'round? I can't think of one that I've even heard of doing long distance cruising, though I'm sure some have...
Shipscarver, re: Q#2 - that's a biggy. :) There are a lot of boats that can do it, but there's inevitably compromise in each and every one. Like in Nicks thread - his boat is great for the trip, Contessa's have done it a few times, but you can read there that he wishes he had standing headroom.
Vigor's book is a great place to start, with 20 different boats to look at, and after you learn more about those, you can narrow your choices down to half a dozen or so that are in your price range, look nice to you, have the features you want, that sort of thing. Once you get a relatively small list, start 'window shopping', but without intending to buy for a while.
Watch the market, see what boats come up for sale how often, what kind of shape they're in, what extras they have. Start getting ready, because sooner or later that 'right boat' will happen, and you'll be off on your journey, whether on the water right away, or with a fixer-upper that you need to make ready first. :)
Quote from: AdriftAtSea on February 14, 2008, 03:38:12 PM
One minor correction, Pat Henry's boat was a Southern Cross 31, since they don't make a 32. :)
Ooops. Fixed.
I was referring to: http://p4.forumforfree.com/sss.html
And, thanks for getting me to the other site.
#2 - Needs more explaning. For me, none would be easy for my body so I did not opt for that. Instead I am just coastal/inland cruising. I need a much bigger boat and a crew do to ocean hopping.
There some very strong small boats being made. Price range new is around $ 125000. Well worth it for a trouble free voyage.
Quote from: Lynx on February 14, 2008, 05:08:13 PM
There some very strong small boats being made. Price range new is around $ 125000. Well worth it for a trouble free voyage.
$125,000 ??? ???
Maybe I am misunderstanding what you are saying (not at all ulikely), but I think we need to be a bit careful lest we give the impression that is what it takes to "head out." If money's at all a factor, why would you buy new? Take off one or two zeros, there, and one can easily have a blue water boat.
Lot's of Alberg 30's on the market for under $20,000, and mine was under $10,000. What's the going rate for an Ariel in decent shape, around $5000 or so? Shoot, a BCC in decent shape can be had for well under $100,000, and they are on the VERY PRICEY side of small blue water capable boats.
Singlehanding? Planning to remain solo? Spend about $5000 on an Ariel or perhaps a Bristol 27 (two of my personal favorites in the mid 20's), double that in new sails and rerigging and odds-n-ends, and you STILL have less than $15,000 in a ocean going boat.
And if you are willing to put in the sweat equity on a true project boat, you can do it for 10x or so less. I've seen Triton's for $500, for example. (Ask Charlie Jones what they paid for Tehani when they bought her...).
That a good blue water boat has to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars is a myth perpetuated by the sailing rags and is probably the single biggest reason a lot of less-than-independently-wealthy people give up on the idea of cruising. I know I almost gave up on the dream back when I believed that lie.
Alberg 30 just hit ebay. Looks pretty good. That's one you can't go wrong with if it's in decent shape....
Not everybody has the skills to restore a $500 boat the way Charlie has. :)
Charlie AND LAURA . Let's not leave her out cause she did 60 % of the rebuild all by herself while I was building a customer boat.
Without her Tehani might STILL not be completed. At least not to the standard she is currently.
And actually Tehani cost us about $1500 all together counting the trip to New York and return.
Shipscarver, that site you referred to was a quick-fix when the server handling the SSS forum crashed last summer. The site Tim gave you is the SSS site, and the forum can be accessed by the Forum link on the home page. Be careful though, some of the other pages are still linked to the non-working forum.
I agree with John's assessment of the amount of money needed to purchase and outfit a small seaworthy vessel for singlehanded cruising. There are plenty of boats to be had for a lot less than $125,000! A rule of thumb I've heard over the years is that it takes between 50 to 100% of the purchase price of a new boat to properly outfit it. Even if that $125,000 was for a completely outfitted new boat, it's too much money.
And, not every inexpensive boat out there needs the same level of work Tehani needed. :-)
For 125K, less what I paid for my boat, I could fix her up *really* nice, and cruise for 10 years with a higher budget than I have planned right now, without having to work along the way... ;D
Of course, my boat is 40 years old, not new.
If today I were to try and find - or have made - a hull constructed as well as this one is, it would cost a lot more than 125K.
Sorry Laura, my sincere apologies... ;) I hope Charlie got you something nice for Valentine's Day. :)
Quote from: CharlieJ on February 14, 2008, 07:45:11 PM
Charlie AND LAURA . Let's not leave her out cause she did 60 % of the rebuild all by herself while I was building a customer boat.
Without her Tehani might STILL not be completed. At least not to the standard she is currently.
And actually Tehani cost us about $1500 all together counting the trip to New York and return.
Quote from: AdriftAtSea on February 14, 2008, 08:36:48 PM
Sorry Laura, my sincere apologies... ;) I hope Charlie got you something nice for Valentine's Day. :)
Something pink, and girly, and not a power tool.
;D
(Yeah, I know L *likes* power tools as gifts, but she works in a hardwrae store now, and gets better prices than you do, CJ. :D )
Hey CapnK... Don't joke about it... today would have been Gee's 40th birthday... so missing Valentine's Day for me was a serious problem... and I always had to think of two good gifts. :)
Sad to hear that, Dan. Must be bittersweet, today.
Two gifts every year, eh? Were you like CJ, giving her tools, and telling folks she actually liked it that way? :D
---
For me, there was good timing, in a way - I had a girlfriend, but that was until last weekend. ???
On the bright side - I am saving money this Valentines Day. ;D
---
(Boy, did this thread get hijacked in the last few posts, or what? :) )
Never got her power tools... gave my sister-in-law a Makita cordless drill for her birthday once though... ;)
I appreciate the ackowledgement of my hard work. I sometimes feel like I don't get credit because I'm a woman, but I'm beginning to understand that it's because Charlie is the one that always does all the talking! ;D
BTW, I love working at the hardware store, Kurt. Lots of stuff to learn about and great discounts. Now if they would just finish the remodeling we'll have a couple more aisles of marine stuff! :)
Quote from: CapnK on February 14, 2008, 08:36:05 PM
If today I were to try and find - or have made - a hull constructed as well as this one is, it would cost a lot more than 125K.
Man, that's a mouthful. You need to repeat that one loud and often. It must sink in.
"To get the quality of design and build of a 60's era boat today would require A LOT MORE than the cost of most NEW production boats."
Wow.
Quote from: AdriftAtSea
today would have been Gee's 40th birthday.
Wow, Dan. That must make Valentine's Day and all the hoopla about it tough. I'm hoping at least it's a time to remember the times you had with a smile.
Quote from: LauraG
I sometimes feel like I don't get credit because I'm a woman
Don't worry, Laura; we all KNOW who restored that boat. ;D
(with envy, I might add...I wish my work turned out half as good...)
Quote from: LauraG on February 14, 2008, 10:36:11 PM
I appreciate the ackowledgement of my hard work. I sometimes feel like I don't get credit because I'm a woman, but I'm beginning to understand that it's because Charlie is the one that always does all the talking! ;D
Laura, I know it may sound like just "us guys sticking together" but though Charlie does do all the talking ;), I have never seen him once discuss the work on Tehani without giving the credit to you. :)
Maybe that's just been the last couple of years but I have noticed.
Tim
Quote from: CapnK on February 14, 2008, 08:36:05 PM
For 125K, less what I paid for my boat, I could fix her up *really* nice, and cruise for 10 years with a higher budget than I have planned right now, without having to work along the way... ;D
Of course, my boat is 40 years old, not new.
If today I were to try and find - or have made - a hull constructed as well as this one is, it would cost a lot more than 125K.
As I crawl around and survey every inch of my Ariel, I am amazed how well constructed it is. I can't imagine a production boat built to those standards today.
Quote from: CapnK on February 14, 2008, 08:36:05 PM
Of course, my boat is 40 years old, not new.
If today I were to try and find - or have made - a hull constructed as well as this one is, it would cost a lot more than 125K.
That's a very good point IMHO, and the reason I sail a 43 y o boat. Actually one of the first GRP sailing boats built in Scandinavia. The builder had tonnes of experience in building light aircraft in GRP though.
OK, A new Dana 24 is about $ 125000.
Yes, I am careful about what I put out, most of the time anyway. I looked at a lot of blogs and reports about what it takes to make ready a boat for Blue Water Standards. One site reported $ 60000 to refurbish a 20 foot Flicka and he did do most the work himself. I have seen a lot of bad construction and things go wrong because of bad construction. I have met people who I had to train how to use a grease gun.
Do you really want to go out there and have to try to replace a chain plate in the middle of nowhere? Fixing my boat in out of the way places and waiting for parts and wondering what will break next is not my idea of fun. My thermostat went, I went to the Mercury marine store in Marsh Harbor. They did not carry it. Could(WOULD) not help me find one in the Bahamas. I went to NAPA and they had it. You should see the parts that have to be ordered or need to be ordered here in Abacos and we are only 190 miles away from the states.
You don't need to listen to me. Take a good look at it. Crossing the Atlantic, it is not uncommon to go through 3 storms. What does it take in a boat for you to feel safe? I am not talking about survival conditions. Just Storm conditions. 15 to 24 foot seas and winds below 50 knots. Relying on an EPIRB to get me back to land, the sharks have better odds.
Take a boat the size you want and go through the parts list. The Shards said that it was cheaper to buy a boat than to build one because of the increase cost of parts. IF you feel that you need to replace everything then it will be cheaper for you to buy a new boat,
Your choice. NOW if you want to go coastal, that is a different story. You do not need all that stuff. A smaller boat will do. You can go sooner and longer.
I always wanted to go blue water but It is quite a bit easier going coastal and in small boat. I have done over 4000 miles in 2 years in my boat. Over 150 days in it.
Quote from: CapnK on February 14, 2008, 08:39:03 PM
Quote from: AdriftAtSea on February 14, 2008, 08:36:48 PM
Sorry Laura, my sincere apologies... ;) I hope Charlie got you something nice for Valentine's Day. :)
Something pink, and girly, and not a power tool
Don't buy a woman anything that plugs in as a gift for Christmas, birthday, or Valentine's Day.
Quote from: Lynx on February 15, 2008, 05:16:04 AM
Take a good look at it. Crossing the Atlantic, it is not uncommon to go through 3 storms.
Hmm. One ... two ... three. Yep. Three. <grin>
I've said it before, I'll say it again...."If you want a top quality boat, you get an old 60's hull and go to work." We all know which ones to start with. Seems like those are all well represented on this board!!!! Another point, restoring a good old boat is a nice way to stay busy without drowning in honey-does....
Thanks Capn Smollett. I celebrate both the holiday and her birthday in her memory every year... If I didn't I'd be dishonoring her memory and if she were here, she'd kick my butt for doing that. :)
QuoteWow, Dan. That must make Valentine's Day and all the hoopla about it tough. I'm hoping at least it's a time to remember the times you had with a smile.
As for 1960's boats... I love the designs, particularly some of the Albergs, but I'm a multihull sailor at heart, and most of the ones from back then were home-build dogs... so I went with a new one. :)
Quote from: Lynx on February 15, 2008, 05:16:04 AM
Do you really want to go out there and have to try to replace a chain plate in the middle of nowhere? Fixing my boat in out of the way places and waiting for parts and wondering what will break next is not my idea of fun. My thermostat went, I went to the Mercury marine store in Marsh Harbor. They did not carry it. Could(WOULD) not help me find one in the Bahamas. I went to NAPA and they had it. You should see the parts that have to be ordered or need to be ordered here in Abacos and we are only 190 miles away from the states.
Huh? Sorry, but I just don't agree with your reasoning here. First problem: a chainplate and a thermostat for a particular model engine are two different things. One is MUCH more likely to fail; one could carry a spare of either; yes, I'd rather be in some exotic port fixing a chainplate than here wondering about what tie to wear the next big Social Function.
Second problem: stuff can break on a new boat as well. And often does. Especially on brand new engines that have not been run-in yet.
Quote
Relying on an EPIRB to get me back to land, the sharks have better odds.
Sorry, but "HUH?" again. Most of us on this site talk often about self-sufficiency. This mean exactly NOT relying on 'stuff' like an EPIRB to 'get me back to to lank.' I'm not sure what that means anyway. An EPIRB cannot get you back to land; by the time you use an EPIRB, the stuff has already gone south.
What we are talking about is using a boat that is good, sound and stong to begin with, not some modern plastic toy that should not go offshore in the first place. I don't know where you get your $60,000 to make a blue water boat (was that Heather's Solo Sailor site??), but if you start with a strong platform, the preps you need to make are rigging and accomodation related.
Quote
Take a boat the size you want and go through the parts list. The Shards said that it was cheaper to buy a boat than to build one because of the increase cost of parts. IF you feel that you need to replace everything then it will be cheaper for you to buy a new boat,
I don't know who the Shards are, but I disagree with this statement on it's face. It will ALMOST NEVER be cheaper to buy a new boat, if you buy the right boat.
Take that $125,000 new Dana you mentioned. Let's say you are correct and it takes $60,000 to turn ANY boat into a blue water cruiser. Let's say I buy a Bristol 27 in good shape for $9,000. Using your numbers, I've spent $69,000, or just a touch over HALF on the new boat (*). How is it cheaper to buy new?
(*) I don't care what anybody says, a production boat from the factory will take some mods to make her blue water capable. So, should we add your $60,000 to the sticker price of the Dana, and use $180,000 as a better "real" working number?
Quote
Your choice. NOW if you want to go coastal, that is a different story. You do not need all that stuff. A smaller boat will do. You can go sooner and longer.
I will gladly take my Alberg anywhere in the world I want to go. I have figured out the projected costs of making this boat safe for any waters of the world - a project list, if you will. My project list right now stands at less than $10,000 (and some of that includes routine maintenance that's I'd have to do on a brand new boat as well). With what I paid for the hull, I will have less than $20,000 in her and she will go anywhere. ANYWHERE.
Even if I went super lavish and accounting for "unexpected" expenditures, I doubt I will ever get to the $40,000 mark for the first refit - that's hull and refitting.
Quote
I always wanted to go blue water but It is quite a bit easier going coastal and in small boat. I have done over 4000 miles in 2 years in my boat. Over 150 days in it.
Is it easier coastal cruising than prepping a boat for blue water? There we can agree. That's why we are spreading out that $10,000 refit cost over a couple of years while we coastal cruise.
So, I'm spreading the $10,000 refit over about three or four years. Let's say four. That's about $2,500 per year, or roughly $60 per month if I took out a four year loan. That's less than I pay for Internet access. At the end of this four year refit, my boat is MINE, with no debt overhead.
In contrast, to get a $125,000 boat, I'd have to take out a loan more akin to a 30 year mortgage, and my payments would STILL be more like $600/month.
How does that make economic sense again? Maybe the Shards could be invited to join this site and offer their perspective and reasoning.
The $ 60g's is from a Flicka that was refurbished in Galveston Tx.
Some of your points are well taken. IF you are qualified to make the repairs. I spent more than $ 3500 in electronics alone and I do not have an SSB. You can get by cheeper as you mentioned. And some other boats are in better condition than others. The Chards are from Canada and do a a show called "Distant Shores" Not shown much in the USA. Built their Blue Water boat in Canada. They are in the BVI now and do seminars during the winter in Canada. I will invite them to this forum but it is doubtful if they will do much.
Here is their web site - http://www.distantshores.ca/
If you have faith in your boat, GREAT. I hope that you do well. I have seen too many who's boats cannot move when I can.
When someone jumps into a project like yours, they should know what they are getting into. Far to many have cost overruns that are unexpected.
Quote from: Lynx on February 15, 2008, 05:16:04 AM
Fixing my boat in out of the way places ... is not my idea of fun.
You know, this is a part of what cruising to out of the way places is about. It's something that you deal with, you go with it and enjoy where you are. I once chose to sit in Grand Cayman waiting for a new mainstay to be flown down from the states (it was 1.25 inch wire, not readily available locally)... we ended up having a great stay and got to watch Tom Cruise filming the John Grisham movie "The Firm". Some of our crew even ended up in the movie!
No matter how new your boat is, stuff happens and things will need fixing and maintaining. Sure, everything you do beforehand helps reduce the stuff you'll have to deal with later; I'm not being fatalistic here. But it's a fact of going to sea that ships need constant care and repair. It's part of the game, and seeing boatwork and repairs as obstacles will definitely reduce one's enjoyment of the voyage.
As an aside, IMHO it seems that half the broken gear that people sit waiting for parts for are things that they could do without but have been convinced by others (Cruising World, West Marine, etc) that they need... but that's a whole 'nuther topic!
Quote from: Lynx on February 15, 2008, 09:31:40 AM
I have seen too many who's boats cannot move when I can.
If the wind is blowing above ~3kts, my boat will move. Maybe not fast, but I don't care about that. I'm in it for the journey. Ghosting along under sail is still sailing.
Bill-
What boat were you on that required a 1.25" mainstay?? Certainly not anything that would qualify as a small boat. :)
Capn Smollett's right... the journey is probably the bigger part of it for most sailfar-type sailors. Ghosting along in 5 knots of wind is always a great way to spend the afternoon, although I prefer 15-20 knots of wind since it's a lot more interesting. :)
I've got a couple of the Chards videos, they're good.
However, a thing to keep in mind about their statement: they had their boat built of aluminum. That ain't a cheap thing to do, no matter how you look at it. :)
Other than that, the thing I'll offer to this discussion is that by buying a boat which is basically just an older hull and spar and then refitting, you will have a new boat by the time you're done, with the exception of the hull/spar. It's just a more time consuming process. Based on what you value your time at, it could well have cost you as much as, or more than, a new boat.
To me, even if it does, I will have the satisfaction of knowing exactly how everything is put together, so that I know it was done right, and if it should fail, especially 'out there' in foreign waters or ports, also have the knowledge of just what it will take to fix it.
I don't think either way of doing things is right or wrong, just different. :)
Of course, knowing exactly how something is put together might just save your life one day. In Alvah Simon's North To the Night, he talks about building a bracket, which he later has to fix while basically blind... and if he hadn't built it himself... he probably would have been screwed. :)
I took a look at the Distant Shores web site. 42 ft boat for a couple, so not really in the "sailfar spirit." Their approach seems more of the "mainstream" gottahaves than the view many of us small boaters seem to have.
One thing I did find interesting and relevant to this discussion. On the "weight calculations" page, there is a brief equipment list (my own PERSONAL views added just for commentary - like Kurt said, there's no right or wrong here):
* Additional batteries for main house bank
The number of batts you need is directly related to the quanity of electricity you will consume (and charging capacity/interval). I have chosen to limit the bank size and charging requirements by going fairly spartan with my electrical gadgets. Since both gadgets and batteries cost money (and time to maintain), my way is less expensive (if more like camping than "yachting").
* Yamaha outboard 8hp
* Mastervolt 3kw genset
See above comment on 'additional batteries.' I have no need for a genset on board. Nor do I even want one.
* Watermaker
I don't feel a need for this, with the POSSIBLE exception of a hand operated one for dire emergencies.
* Scuba compressor
Wouldn't carry one of these on my boat; that seems somewhat like a luxury to me, but if I had the room and storage available (I don't), why not?
* 2 scuba tanks - 28kg
Kool!!
* Avon dinghy
* Washing machine
Pure hedonism. ;D ;D Bucket on the foredeck or stirred with the clean end of a boat hook works for me. Also, handwashing clothes makes me want to carry less clothes, helping solve the always present "where do I store it" issue.
* Additional Chain
* Radar Arch
My boat won't have radar; not sure why an arch is needed (mast mounted radar seems to work okay).
So, as I've stated before, part of what is cool about boats is that no two are alike, and different sailors will solve the same set of problems in different ways. I don't begrudge anyone making these decisions the way they wish on their boat.
But what does rankle my feathers just a little bit is the (sometimes subliminal) presentation that "this is what you HAVE to have...." Too many of us on both sides of the small-big fence get a little evangelical about what it takes to cruise in a sailboat. I choose a smaller, less expensive (but for me at least, more spiritually rewarding) approach that would look like anything but fun to many other folks.
So, with their assertion that it takes $60,000 outfit ANY boat I disagree. That's the approach they took - it is what works for them. But it is far, far from an absolute.
The best way to get a low cost cruising sailboat is to buy one from someone who lovingly maintained and put together a cruising sailboat but realized that they can't or don't want to go cruising.
You see these kind of boats for sale quite often. I sometimes think about selling my boat and just having the money ready for when I can retire. Then wait for a good deal in an area I want to sail in and pounce at the right time.
It helps if you have a minimalist sailing point of view and know what is necessary and what is fluff.
Hopefully get it on the right thread this time!!!!
Ahhh,,those lessons learned the hard way!!!!
Quote from: AdriftAtSea on February 15, 2008, 10:54:14 AM
Bill-
What boat were you on that required a 1.25" mainstay?? Certainly not anything that would qualify as a small boat. :)
In the early 90s I sailed as Captain of the SSV Westward, a 125' steel staysail schooner doing college sail training and marine education voyages. It was certainly not a small boat!
The mainstay was actually a DOUBLED 1.25" wire, beginning at the base of the foremast, up around the main top and back again. We were returning from Cartagena to Miami and discovered some alarming issues with the wire, enough that I diverted to Grand Cayman...
I've attached a pic of Westward below... she was a joy to sail!
(http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd256/CaptSail/Misc/Westward_jpg.jpg)
Funny that a thread on "Singlehanding" should stray to the point that I posted the last pic... ;)
BillNH-
Pretty boat...definitely not a single-hander's boat or a sailfar boat though.
The Shards sold their orginal boat that was a bit more mininum for sure. I think their first DVD has a picture story of it.
My orginal point is be safe, it doesn't count if you don't get your boat back. There is some good deals to be found if you know what you are doing. There is a lot of junk as well. Take your time and learn and know before you buy. Ask people who have.
Here is a site - http://www.pearson365.com with a true cost log and pictures. Although this is a 36.5 footer, email him and he will lead you to other smaller boats.
Warning this is an opinion of a beginning sailor.
From what I've read in books and on discussion boards, the items that are "necessary" to make a boat blue water capable are really items that will make life on board more convenient (as long as the systems are working properly). For the boat itself, it was either designed and built to take the punishment of offshore sailing or not. If it was not designed for offshore sailing, very little can be done to change that.
Beth Leonard and Evan Starzinger have some interesting information on their website under the articles section. The website is www.bethandevans.com. After completing a circumnavigation on a production boat with every known convenience item, they had a second boat built but only included the items they "believe" are necessary or desirable. Look for the article on what was left off and why. Even with leaving some items off, their boat is a lot more complicated then the boats people successfully cruised and lived on in twenty or thirty years ago.
Really, if you compare what you have in your house today versus thirty years ago, our houses have more "systems" and have become more complicated. It is just my wife and I, but we have three bathrooms, four phones (not counting cell phones), and 3 TV's. What is happening is people expect the same luxuries on their boat and are not willing to leave with out them. Therefore, the cost of outfitting a boat for cruising can easily reach $60,000 or more. But what is really necessary -- a strong well built hull and rigging; a sextant, timepiece, and charts; and sails. That is how people cruised in the 60's and 70's.
Fortunately, most of the people on this site aren't of the mindset that you need to have all the conveniences of home when out cruising, and I seriously doubt that most of the Sailfar crowd have microwave ovens, large screen HD TVs, washing machines, clothes dryers and such aboard their boats, or even expect to ever have those things aboard.
On some of the other sailing forums I participate in, I have to question when someone is complaining about the costs of keeping their 40'+ boat and how expensive it was for them to get their HD TV installed, and wonder why they're even bothering to get a sailboat like that.
At least for me, leaving behind a lot of the modern media is part of the pleasure of going to my boat. Yes, I have a computer aboard, a laptop that is used for my writing mainly, and I do have a stereo, but that is so I can listen to music, much of which I inherited from my better half.
I can see outfitting a boat can be a significant portion of the cost, but I also know that someone can get into a boat capable of crossing oceans safely for far less than $60000. It might not have all the modern bells and whistles....but many crossings were made prior to those bells and whistles ever being invented.
Forgive me for being contrary, but for what I spent on a good metal sextant I could have bought a whole bunch of handheld GPS units.
Quotebut for what I spent on a good metal sextant I could have bought a whole bunch of handheld GPS units.
True, and a handheld gps is easier to use. However, I was trying to harken back to a simplier time and gps was not available then.
But a metal sextant has few on-going consumable costs... where a gps eats batteries. :)
Quote from: Auspicious on February 16, 2008, 10:53:46 AM
Forgive me for being contrary, but for what I spent on a good metal sextant I could have bought a whole bunch of handheld GPS units.
::)" I must go down to the sea again, the lonely sea and sky,
and all I ask is a small ship and a GPS to steer her by..."
My apologies to John Masefield ;D.
Pappy Jack
Quote from: macdiver on February 16, 2008, 11:21:26 AM
True, and a handheld gps is easier to use. However, I was trying to harken back to a simplier time and gps was not available then.
You what?
Have you actually tried using a sextant on a small boat in a seaway for real? Simpler does not come into the issue in any shape or form.
If you dropped it or mistreated it, it was buggered, even orse, if you dropped it and it still seemed to work, you could nto trust it for fear that it was buggered and was going to tell you lieas.
It was heavy enbough and unweildy enough that if you managed to keep one hand for the boat, there was ever good chance that it would whack you in the face as you bounced off a wave trying to take a sight. Why do so many old time sailers appear to have had multiple broken noses in thos lovely B&W photos you see? Were they all bar-room brawlers...No. The nose pointed leftwards break was a sure and common sign of someone that had cause to try using a sextant on a small pitching boat in all weathers.
...And then there was the bloody maths and transpositioning you needed to do at the ahcart table for a considerable amount of time, with often complex problems needing to be solved, under stressful and difficult conditions, and at the total reliance of another item of gear that had to be as close to perfect as possible, the ships clock or ships radio reciever! Both of which were more complex then a modern GPS unit and far more prone to malfunction.
Even if clock or radio time beacon worked, and so did the shaky, scary, sight takings...One error in what was sometimes over thirty complex calculations could put you in error by an astinishing amount...or worse still by a small, beleivable, and un-noticed amount that would shortly jump up and gnaw your butt off (right through the hull).
Of course there is also the issue that you could not really just take a sight any old time you liked or the weather broke to present a decent opportunity. The charts are all set for specific time intervals and to do it any other way adds yet more multiple orders of complexity.
You want the SIMPLE DAYS of yachting....?
Go now and kiss your GPS unit, give it a nice wipedown with a lint-free cloth and thank it with your heart of hearts for giving you the luxury of yearning for thos "simpler" days. You are pissing and mpoaning about getting confused about which button to press or how to best optimise the display on a GPS? What the heck hope would you have of tuning in your sextant, then?
These ARE the simple days of yachting...that's why there are so many people doing it.
Improved materials, improved sail handling gear and improved com and nav gear is what makes small boat circumnavigation at a practical level POSSIBLE in this day and age. Spray and TIGER MOTH were two-to-three times and more the length of our boats....And needed to be. Matessier, the ultimate minimalist...still never managed to go below 48 feet for his serious boats, because that was the old tech. A scant 25 years later a small and not uber-fit girl can circumnav on her production built 26 or a couple with three babies under 2 can do it in a Cal25!
anyone that yearns for the days of Chitchester as a better and simpler era of yachting is wanting hard to be a snob and hoping like heck they would be able to come down on the up side of the entry barrier.
Do nto confuse the frou frous like HD tv sets and poop with things like GPS, satphones and watermakers. The latter make the current golden age of sailing.
Alex.
....Okay. I am grumpy because I sailed on board the Enterprize yeaterday and whacked myself with the Sextent...And that was on a 58ton boat in only slightly tossy seas (actually I think we got hit by a big stinkpot's wake from the opposite quarter at just the wrong moment.) There is nothing simple or Goloden about the Enterprize...except the fact she is funt o play with and I can then go back to my own "real" boat.
(On the other hand, Miles was on board with me along with his also 2yo cousin...and they thought the old ship was utterly brilliant!...which definately makes the day.)
Quote from: Fortis on February 17, 2008, 04:27:11 PM
Quote from: macdiver on February 16, 2008, 11:21:26 AM
True, and a handheld gps is easier to use. However, I was trying to harken back to a simplier time and gps was not available then.
You what?
Have you actually tried using a sextant on a small boat in a seaway for real? Simpler does not come into the issue in any shape or form.
In a much, much former life I was a navigation officer, just about the time satellite navigation was starting to be trialled by companies.
At that point there were far fewer satellites so the accuracy wasn't anything like now, but even then it was often nearer the mark than a sight.
It was a pain in the backside trying to take a decent sight from the bridge of a 25,000 tonne ship, let alone a small yacht!
'Overcast' meant we often went for many days on dead reckoning alone. Three people taking midday sights... chances were three positions at least 1/2 mile apart and that was from pros doing it day in, day out.
Singlehanding... stick with the handheld GPS and carry a spare if necessary. They're probably less prone to damage than a sextant (hence the big, lined wooden sextant cases) and rechargeable batteries are cheaper than almanacs/tables.
we carry two hand helds aboard just for coastal, and if we were heading out longer therm, we'd get a third and pack it away. At around 150 a copy,why not?
I DO wish often that I'd kept my sextant when I sold my big boat- the new owner never left Galveston Bay, but the GPS is SO much simpler and SO much more accurate .
Although that sextant WILL work always if you can see the sun or stars.
Quote from: CharlieJ
Although that sextant WILL work always if you can see the sun or stars.
And it has not been dropped or knocked about, and if you have the right filter on the mirror (Sextrant owners tend to go all funny when they are showing you how to take a sight and you manage to have the dark sun filter fall off and go overboard while trying to use the thing). If you have the almanacs, and the reliable chronometer or at least SSB reciever (though they can be three seconds out by the time the noon pips are sounded after going through three or four repeater stations between you and the BBC).
If the stars are up and the haze is not and the clouds do not come calling....
I think I would rather state "A, the good old GPS, whihc works so long as the US is not in a major war with anyone nearby and the batteries hold out)...Those factors seem to be more reliable.
Once the european network goes on line we will lose one of those two issues, and you can already get a little crank-generator powered GPS unit. A handheld that works exactly like a wind-up torch/flashlight. You crank it for tenty seconds, then key it on while you crank for another 45seconds to a minute, by the time it has read the local sats and set itself up, you can stoip cranking and it has around 8-10 minutes of power before it needs to either shut down or get some more winding.
I was going to buy one a few months ago as a super-last resort thing for the ditch bag...But the guy at the store said that next years model was going to incorporate several other survival positive functions all working off the crank generator and that the unit would be essentially the same size (standard handheld with a fold out crank).
What really sold me though was that the "next"model had a stainless isntead of plastic crank handle....Cause having that fail strikes me as a source of frustration that could last for the rest of your life.
Alex.
(Edit: Fixed Quote Tag - CapnK)
Now THAT sounds interesting. A hand crank GPS. Kewl.
Yeah - I know about all the things that can knock a sextant out. But bottom line is- all else fails you CAN get a position. Been done on very small boats for a long time. May not be easy, may not be fun, but CAN be done.
But I do recall hearing ( and I may be incorrect) that the Naval academy isn't teaching celestial anymore. Has anyone else hear that?
Charlie-
IIRC, they're still teaching celestial navigation and the use of a sextant, but no longer teaching the manual calculations and sight reduction techniques, since most people would use a navigation calculator nowadays.
Fortis-
Can you post a link to the hand-cranked GPS unit, I'd be interested in seeing it.
I don't have a website for them. they were just one of the gizmos on the shelf at the Australian Geograthic Shop. I never even got the name of the brand inprinted on my memory.
I'll see if there is a website printed on the box it comes in, the next time I am out there.
Thanks Fortis. :)
Interestingly in view of the sextant discussion recently, I just stumbled across this article by Mike Richey who owned the original Jester after Blondie Hasler. He discusses sextants and using them aboard boats at sea. I found it quite a interesting read.
Alex- note the last paragraph.
Edit- OOPS, forgot to post the link ::)
http://www.jesterinfo.org/onreflectionoctober1990.html
Great Link Charlie, Thanks
Thanks Tim. I've been wandering around on the Jester Challenge website. There are many interesting articles there which should interest those of us who post here.
Not that I personally have any real interest in singlehanding, but the ideas work just as well for a double handed crew, who after all are single handing in shifts ;D
http://www.jesterinfo.org/index.html
Quote from: CharlieJ on February 18, 2008, 10:51:58 AM
Not that I personally have any real interest in singlehanding, but the ideas work just as well for a double handed crew, who after all are single handing in shifts ;D
I agree, though I primarily sail with the first mate, having the skills to singlehand when necessary is required I believe. One of my questions on setting up the Ariel is whether to lead lines aft. I know that you don't have them that way on Tehani, but I am use to at least raising and dousing the jib from the cockpit. Perhaps if i have a reliable self steering mechanism I would not feel the necessity.
Quote from: Tim on February 18, 2008, 11:14:31 AM
I agree, though I primarily sail with the first mate, having the skills to singlehand when necessary is required I believe. One of my questions on setting up the Ariel is whether to lead lines aft. I know that you don't have them that way on Tehani, but I am use to at least raising and dousing the jib from the cockpit. Perhaps if i have a reliable self steering mechanism I would not feel the necessity.
I know I may be in the minority, but I am "against" leading lines aft to the cockpit on my boat. I have several reasons for this. For one thing, I think the psychology of thinking one needs to do everything from the cockpit is dangerous. At sea, there WILL come a time when you need to go forward for something, possibly in an emergency, and you darn well better be 'comfortable' doing it.
I am not sure if you are in the minority Captain Smollet. And I totally agree with the need to feel comfortable about going forward. I am up to now at least and for the foreseeable future a "hank on" kinda guy.
But as in the case of coming into the slip, I think it mighty convenient to be able to drop a sail quickly.
Well- there are two of us in that minority then. I agree totally. Sooner or later you WILL have to go up front and if you've been doing it, you'll have found the hand holds prior to this trip.
Tried a jib down haul on the last boat. Didn't much care for it. Tehani has it all at the mast.
And we are "hank on" people also.
Charlie...we agree again. Jubilee has a hank on jib with a reef point and a light wieght 150..again hank-on.Anyone who thinks they won't go forward ain't been out there ;)
I did a 160 mile trip from Port Charlotte to Fiesta Key (near Key Largo) in 16 hrs. My boat had so much dried salt on the decks the the people at the KOA was calling it a Margareta boat. Very slippery even to put on the dock lines. I sure do not want to go out there when it is bad unless I have to even if not singlehanding.
I have done both and you need to work out a plan to go forward if you need to, say your prayers.
Count me in. All halyards, topping lifts, reefing lines, and outhaul are at the mast.
I like it both ways.
All lines exit the mast at a height that can be usefully worked/pumped at the mast. There are also a couple of apare/emergency cleats at the mast. The ropes then run to blocks on a coronet around the mast base, they are then redirected to the cockpit.
This means that you get lots of options.
When sailed double handed it means that somoen can work the foredeck and not have someone else get int he way to run "the office". It also means that if things are too hairy and busy in the cockpit when a sail change is in the works, it can all be done at the mast, can be secured temporarily until things calm down and can then be unlooped off the temp. cleat and tension taken up by the cockpit clutches again.
the only line that does not come back to the cockpit is the spin pole downhaul....That really only ever needs to be run form the mast (it actually gets irritating running it from the cockpit), since you are right there to do the end-for-end anyway.
For crewing in two or three handed races, having someone up at the mast means you get amazingly clean sail changes with no hangups or pauses.
Also at the mast is a small sharp serrated knife....because some day a Samurai douse is in everyone's future.
Alex.
<< . . . remain solo? Spend about $5000 on an Ariel or perhaps a Bristol 27 (two of my personal favorites in the mid 20's), double that in new sails and rerigging and odds-n-ends, and you STILL have less than $15,000 in a ocean going boat . . . >>
Capt Smollett you speak my language. ::)
Actually, I almost bought a Bristol 35, cheap enough and not too much follow up work and equiping, but worried that it might be more than I wanted to handle, and maintain. I am a solo sailor until the end having been married for 35 years. Can't do it again, I have nothing left to take. ;D
Thank you all, you great. Love the board!
Hi All
I have a few day's leave from my work in the BVI. Using it to catch up with friends on SailFar... and sit by the fireplace with my very own cubemonkey!
Single-handed boat choices? I argue that the issue is the sailor not the sailboat. OK, OK, the boat matters. In the first single-handed around the world race lots of boats failed. Much has been learned since 1969 about what it takes to make around the big blue marble in a sailboat. Also, since 1969 many have started off around the world and never made it very far. The sailing is too hard. The way one lives aboard is a huge consideration.
On the "boat question" I think any of the stable and not-to-slow boats are OK. The Albergs and such have passed the test of time. Well rigged and fitted for ocean voyaging: lots of models do the job as voyagers. Critical quality-of-life issues from my experience:
-a sink that drains on either tack
-a stove located and fitted to work on a windy day and during a choppy sea conditions
-a place to drop/hang my wet gear where it won't make all the other gear wet
-a comfy bed
A great sailing boat that is hellish to live aboard is going to wear out the best of us. You can't see all those beautiful places if you never get to them.
Single handing vs double handing? I choose Elizabeth as the most essential ship's gear. I hope she chooses me for the same role!
Norm
Boston
Norm-
I doubt that cubemonkey would be proper gear for boats other than yours. :)
for me the most important thing for single handing is the ability to 'park' the boat by heaving to. I've found it to be the best way to both raise and lower sails when it's really blowing. The bow doesn't need to point into the wind just the main. And it's a great way to get some rest or work on some problem.
Nice post.
This past week I did my very first solo cruise. It was short and sweet, with kind weather, which was a nice introduction. I was forced into the option because I had vacation, but my boyfriend didn't, and I certainly wasn't going to let that stop me from heading out. I've read your posts where you mention the benefit of not having to rely on having people to go with. Now that I cruised by myself, and then invited my non-sailing father along for the second leg of the journey, I'm feeling so much more comfortable on the boat. I don't feel like I have to rely on someone else! Of course, it's a bunch more fun with friends (at least for now), but I'm feeling like I can rely on myself a lot more.
One valuable lesson I learned is that Lazy Jacks are essential. I can't see anything when the mainsail hangs below the boom, and my jib foot starts right at the deck, so with both sails either flying or in the process of being hoisted/taken down, I'm a bit blind. I don't like this at all.
I'm haven't yet been out on my own in unpleasant weather. To be honest, I'm a bit nervous about getting stuck in a situation. Maybe it's simply about trusting myself -- believing in myself that I can handle the situation.
Anyway, it was nice to read what others have written here on this topic.
I would like to experiment with Norman's suggestion on the layman's auto-pilot. I could have used that when I was putting up docklines and fenders while having skip and hop back to the cockpit every few minutes to avoid the lobster pots.
s/v Maryooch
Pearson 28
New England
Captxtina,
Have you thought about adding a pennant to your jib to raise it up off the deck? CJ and I made one for our boat and it made a worlds of difference to being able to see forward.
There is a good article in Good Old Boats, Sept 09 issue, about lazy jacks. I've been thinking about doing lazy jacks to our boat.
Grime--
I read that lazy jacks article! Do you need to adjust the line so it doesn't get in the way of the sail shape?
Your suggestion for attaching a "pennant to your jib to raise it up off the deck" is one I'll have to look into -- I'll need to find an illustration.
Thanks!
I can't say about the sail shape. If it wasn't raining here, much needed, I would go to the boat and raise the jib and take a photo of how my pennant is set up. Maybe someone else can step in an post a photo of theirs for you.
Quote from: captxtina on September 10, 2009, 11:22:20 AM
Do you need to adjust the line so it doesn't get in the way of the sail shape?
Captxtina:
While I don't have lazyjacks on my Cape Dory 25D, they were absolutely necessary when I sailed a catboat.
And yes, I did have to make sure that they were loose enough not to wrinkle the enormous sail. The previous owner of my catboat did not have lazyjacks--and I can't see how he was able to raise or lower his sail without them.
--Joe
We don't use lazy jacks on Tehani. I've never felt the need nor has Laura. She's singlehanded the boat often too.
On the pennant- it's simply a length of line or wire attached to the Jon tack so the sail hoists higher- really a simple thing-you'll love it
Tack pennants
All our headsails have always had tack pennants. One reason is to raise the sail enough so it doesn't chafe on the bow pulpit. On storm sails, in my opinion, I'd call them essential to get them high enough that green water coming across the deck doesn't hit them. Solid water going into the sail puts a huge load on them. Many storm jibs are cut so they have to be high anyhow in order to get the sheeting angle to run correctly. The two considerations I keep in mind when doing them is:
1) I don't want the pennant longer than necessary to do the job (clear the pulpit and give me good visibility), because raising the sail too much marginally increases heeling moment.
2) Making sure it doesn't mess up the sheeting angle, but as I mention, that's usually only a concern on storm jibs.
I have two pennants. One for the storm jib, which stays on the jib in its bag, and one for all other headsails. I use a stainless pin shackle on the bottom, and a snap shackle on the upper end for easier sail changes. The working jib is also a reefing jib, so when I reef the jib, all I need to do is move the snap shackle from the tack cringle to the reef cringle.
Thanks for all of the information about the jib pennant. Regarding whether or not to lazy-jack seems dependent upon the sail and spar configuration for a given boat. My boom is pretty low so what little room I do have to see my surroundings when the sail is hoisted is quicky obscured when the sail comes down. I've been looking at the Good Old Boat illustrations for winter project ideas. :)
Before then, I'm hoping September and October are warm to make up for the rainy June and July. There's lots more sailing in 2009 to be had.
One thig no one has mentioned on the jib pennant and I only thought of when we hoisted sail this morning. You will most likely need to add a jib Hank right at the top of the pennant where it atta he's to the clew. Otherwise you get a good bit of sag to the Jib luff right at the old tack.
Being a newbie I love going threw all the old posts on this site! Talk about a wealth of information...
Picking up on an old thread:
Quote from: Norm on February 19, 2008, 08:17:08 AM
On the "boat question" I think any of the stable and not-to-slow boats are OK. The Albergs and such have passed the test of time. Well rigged and fitted for ocean voyaging: lots of models do the job as voyagers. Critical quality-of-life issues from my experience:
-a sink that drains on either tack
-a stove located and fitted to work on a windy day and during a choppy sea conditions
-a place to drop/hang my wet gear where it won't make all the other gear wet
-a comfy bed
A great sailing boat that is hellish to live aboard is going to wear out the best of us.
Norm
Boston
How do you all handle your wet gear conveniently?
Is there anything you would like to add to Norms list of "critical quality-of-life issues"?
Lol- how about decks that do not leak?
On the sink- ours drains on either tack for sure. It lifts out and either gets dumped overboard or out the cockpit drains. Tehani has zero through hulls below the water line , which means no sink drain either.
Our stove is for sure gimbled.
I rigged a jib downhaul after my experience in the Chesapeake, and I liked it.
Charlie, I have been thinking about your setup and I have a suggestion. When you get back from cruising- what about drilling a hole above the waterline, but make the sink a little higher. That is the setup my Compac has- seem to work just fine, as long as you put it on a thru hull and close it off when heeling profoundly.
Well, for one thing the hoses and valves would steal space from our galley storage area, which is fullof pots, pans, dishes,etc.
Secondly it would require that hole. With it's sea cock or valve, even above the water.
Third, we'd have to totally rebuilt the sink area to raise it, but it's already high enough actually.
Lastly, it's just really simple to lift out the sink and dump it. No big deal. Much simpler.
You know- it works for you. Having that tight as a drum feeling inside- that has to be worth a lot.
Didn't know where to put this so...But the Old "Golden Globe challenge" is comming up in 2014, they say. read more at:
http://sites.google.com/site/goldenglobechallenge/