Are singlehanders sad gits or hero's ?

[Guest]

Are singlehanders sad gits or hero\'s ?

'Haven't you any friends ?' is the feeling one often gets from others when sailing alone. You then get a kind of onceover to find defects like bad breath etc.

Personally I find a sense of complete freedom when doing it alone although I enjoy company as well.

What do you think ?

Should there be a flag one can hoist saying that you are a singlehander ? ( to get a better deal from the rest).

 

[AuntyPodes]

Prob some of each - & others ...

There's probably almost as many reasons for sailing single-handed as there are single-handers. Personally I really enjoy "getting it right" on my own - the fact that everything has to be anticipated, actions carried out systematically and efficiently - and there's nobody to blame but yourself if you stuff it up. I find that there are more mistakes made with a crew - you tend to assume that everyones doing their thing properly. Like securing the boom topping-lift as well as clipping it on and hauling it in!!! [I was once knocked cold when the topper clutch wasn't tripped - blood everywhere! It doesn't happen on your own! Luckily no permanent damage - I hope??? But a valuable lesson!]
On the other hand - there's nothing more enjoyable than having a good crew working as a team - everything going like clockwork - no screaming and shouting.
The ultimate, I suppose, would be meriting a possie in NZ's Americas Cup boat!

 

[poter]

Re: The Ultimate- The UK Americas cup boat. NM

..

 

[Guest]

The Ultimate, The Aussie America\'s Cup boat. NM

.

 

[BrianJ]

Re: Prob some of each - & others ...

The Kiwi "America's Cup " team, I hear will be skippered by a lady..whats her name .. er .. er ..Helen Clarke I think.. and you want yo sail with her.
BrianJ

 

[rogerroger]

Re: Are singlehanders sad gits or hero\'s ?

You might have plently of friends - only none of them wish to come sailing. I admire people who don't let the fact that no one else they know wishes to share their pasttime stop them from doing it. A little like people who go on holiday by themselves, confident that they'll meet like minded people.

Single handed doesn't appeal to me - I like to be out there with friends sharing the experience and having a good chat...

/forums/images/icons/cool.gif Roger Holden /forums/images/icons/cool.gif
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.first-magnitude.co.uk>First Magnitude</A>

 

[Lynette]

I met Ellen McArthur yesterday ...

"Sad git" does NOT apply!

The French skipper who 'won' her in a charity raffle to crew for the last race of Ramsgate Week was far more positive. "A great tactician", "tremendous concentration", "so calm and serene" and "a great lady". Well, he did manage a jammy 4th in class 4 - his best result of the week.

 

[milltech]

Re: Are singlehanders sad gits or hero\'s ?

If, like me, you have a spouse who hates being on the water, and if, like me, you're a difficult SOB who takes to long periods in close company with his own sex only with the greatest difficulty, then single handing has some advantages.

I used to have a very amenable crew, but he is no longer available to me. Since then I have resorted to taking so many people aboard who's company I craved even less after a few hours than I imagined could be possible, simply for the "pleasure" of using my own boat, that I have sold her.

I used to use her single handed, but at 50 feet and 65 tons it was always a little heart in mouth when arriving and departing. The bit in the middle was OK!

So now I'm looking for something where I've room for a crew member or two to exist by night in a separate box from me, but with which I am happy when alone. The being alone bit I find enjoyable at sea, frankly a little depressing in harbour.

John

 

[Paulka]

Re: Are singlehanders sad gits or hero\'s ?

I don't consider myself neither a sad git, nor a hero - by god's shake not a hero!
(I would rather consider myself a hero, if I would have supported some stupid crews for more than a few minutes!)
I just enjoy sailing one handed!
Good luck I still can manage my boat (35') alone, and enjoying my time at sea, looking forward to met other sailors at the club's bar.

 

[johnsomerhausen]

Re: Prob some of each - & others ...

If you don't want to sail single-handed, you'll miss many nice daysails....If you are the skipper offshore, you're responsible for the welfare of your crew. I find thart responsibility prevents me from sleeping soundly when I'm "off watch" so I muc prefer sailing single-handed. Better sleep and no crew problems....
john

 

[rob]

Re: Are singlehanders sad gits or hero\'s ?

vic

I regularly sail single handed, though my yacht is only 25' I enjoy the solitude and the challenge of the trip in hand, regularly going from Falmouth to St. Mawes non stop, then sheltering in the lovely harbour there, tired but satisfied of the completion of another successful passage.
Also doing what I want to do, when I want to do it and not trying to satisfy others.
Admiring the sea in its entirety, the wildlife on it and the sea creatures that abound in it. Its a real treat to be on your own!!

Bill Nomaytes

 

[charles_reed]

Re: Are singlehanders sad gits or hero\'s ?

Personally I think most of them (singlehanders) are incurable romantics.

As most romantics, as with optimists, are sure to be disappointed I suppose they could be described as sad gits.

Whilst I quite like to have crew for cruising, I prefer not to have them around when passage-making.
They get in the way, make a mess, don't stow things in the right places, have constant domestic emergencies which result in forced, unwise passages and most of them can't keep watch properly.
I'm afraid this includes the majority of RYA-qualified "skippers", tho' good racing helms can make a boat go well I'd settle for a good old-fashioned foreign-going ticket holder, they know enough about sailboats to make them go and they're proper seamen.

Having had my rant - you might guess I definitely prefer to sail single-handed.

 

[charles_reed]

Re: Are singlehanders sad gits or hero\'s ?

Regarding the "hero" part I'd remind you of the old saw:-

There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots.

No single-handers NEED to be devout cowards - there's no-one out there to help you out but yourself.

So I'd say singlehanders are melancholy, retiring obsessives.

 

[jonjo]

Re: Are singlehanders sad gits or hero\'s ?

I find when single handling that I engage in more dialogue with adjacent crews in harbour and have got invited aboard other boats for meals.

It is so true what others have said about mishaps with crew aboard, things don't go wrong when I am single handing because I prepare way ahead whereas with a crew aboard I assume they will know what to do.

My biggest sailing highs have followed single handled exploits e.g. dropping 800 sq ft of spinnaker with a Sigma 33 on its ear and without getting the sail wet. Beating another Sigma with a full crew from St. Peter Port to the Needles in about 17 hours.

 

[Eudorajab]

Re: Are singlehanders sad gits or hero\'s ?

As someone who sails with my family (sometimes) I tend to find I am single handing most if not all of the time anyway. So when the wife and daughter dont want to go I go alone. No big deal. Yes I prefer company sometimes but equally well I dont believe in missing a good sail at all.

Hero ? only when it suites me.

 

[Mirelle]

ditto n.m.

nothing to add to that

 

[Celena]

Re: Are singlehanders sad gits or hero\'s ?

I don't think I'd go sailing at all if my best friend/parner who also owns half the boat didn't come with me. Actually, that probably makes me a sad git in the eyes of some but I wouldn't ever want to go sailing without her...

 

[Eudorajab]

Re: Are singlehanders sad gits or hero\'s ?

Good for you. Only comment I would make is that when the weather is a bit nasty or borderline, sometimes it is better to experience it on your own. That way it keeps the other half or family interested and keeps the level of enjoyment way up there. Whilst I am quite happy to slog to windward for 14 hours in a F6, I know for a fact (been there and done that) that my family is not all that keen. Even less so when its raining and cold. Better get them on the ferry and meet them in France, that way we can all enjoy the boat (which is what its all about isnt it ? )
By single handing in all sorts of conditions, I gete to know what both my own and the boats limitations are (and enjoy myself). This has a twofold effect.
1: Allows me to expereince conditions that I otherwise would not (if the wife and family were with me)
2: If and when we do get caught in the (nasty according to wife and daughter) stuff, they are a lot less concerned and relaxed and a lot moret confident.

The questions is not wether or not I want my family sailing with me all the time, more along the lines as to wether or not they want to come sailing !!!

 

[Viking]

Re: Are singlehanders sad gits or hero\'s ?

Sad git or romanic Hero????

 

[Celena]

Re: Are singlehanders sad gits or hero\'s ?

Actually it's me that gets ill! Crossed from Brixham to Camaret last year F5 westerley - I had to lie down much of the way; she finished up with blisters on hands, probably 'cos she does the washing up as well. (I realize I'm a very lucky person)