Absolute Essential Must-haves for Single-handed Sailing

[dunedin]

A simpler solution might be a periscope!

The navy seem to have problems using theirs, so perhaps not

 

[srm]

to provide full forward view

Only works if your boat is faster than all the others in the area. The rest of us need 360 degree visibility.

 

[dunedin]

Only works if your boat is faster than all the others in the area. The rest of us need 360 degree visibility.

But if already got side and rear view, it is the forward visibility that is limited and might benefit from improvement

 

[Minerva]

With so many boats (but not mine) having a wide screen TV on the cabin bulkhead, I sometimes wonder if there would be a cheap eBay camera solution to provide full forward view on the screen panel for when need to nip below for a few moments

I could imagine that fitting one of those retrofit rearview parking camera's would be pretty easy...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Boscam-Rev...ocphy=1007326&hvtargid=pla-561492570626&psc=1

 

[Major_Clanger]

In terms of a genuine essential, the only thing one really needs is the correct mindset. With that on board a plan can always be made if anything goes wrong or is missing.

 

[[70521]]

Apart from a boat the only essential thing is a weather forecast

Why? It rarely reflects what is actually happening.

 

[Wing Mark]

In terms of a genuine essential, the only thing one really needs is the correct mindset. With that on board a plan can always be made if anything goes wrong or is missing.

Indeed.
Maybe it's better to know what you've got and sail within those limitations?
A boat, some breeze, water and time are the essentials to go sailing.
Everything else is just an extra that might allow you to do more/better/further/more comfortable/safer/different sailing.

 

[Koeketiene]

A simpler solution might be a periscope!

Or even Eyeball Mk1

 

[Daydream believer]

A simpler solution might be a periscope!

Not a lot of point if it sticks up in the air & looks at the genoa. A better option would be a window in the genoa.

 

[dunedin]

Or even Eyeball Mk1

Doesn’t help when need to nip below for 60 seconds - and then up pops the pot buoy between waves

 

[billyfish]

Confidence

 

[pandos]

Confidence

Or courage....

 

[dunedin]

Confidence

Prudence

 

[pandos]

Prudence

Prudence if you want to come back....??

 

[Poignard]

Prudence

I thought the idea was to sail alone. ?

 

[Concerto]

Confidence

Funny that word " Confidence". I used it in my post #7 "To me the most essential thing is confidence to be a singlehanded sailor. Confidence in your own ability and your boat, without confidence all your essential toys are useless. "

 

[pandos]

Funny that word " Confidence". I used it in my post #7 "To me the most essential thing is confidence to be a singlehanded sailor. Confidence in your own ability and your boat, without confidence all your essential toys are useless. "

You don't need confidence, you need a reasonable amount of competence, and courage to go forth.....

Confidence is something that ought to develop with practice or experience and too little is better than too much....

 

[Concerto]

You don't need confidence, you need a reasonable amount of competence, and courage to go forth.....

Confidence is something that ought to develop with practice or experience and too little is better than too much....

How would you define experience? The best one I know is "Learning something whilst doing something else". Experience does not always boost your confidence as I have known too many people talk of the years of experience they have, not just sailing but work as well. This might be 25 years experience in their eyes, but in reality it is one years experience 25 times. They never learn from their mistakes.

 

[Poignard]

Good bowel and bladder control.

 

[Koeketiene]

Good bowel and bladder control.

Rule of life rather than just for single-handed sailing I would have thought.