Crew bailed out :-(

[Marmalade]

Family have cried off this weekend so I'll be on the boat in the marina (Neptune). Anyone want a sail tomorrow?

 

[curve]

Are you anywhere near Brighton?

 

[Marmalade]

fraid not - Neptune Marina Ipswich...

 

[BlueSkyNick]

I know richard used to sail your boat on his own, but must admit I havent summoned up the confidence to do the same on Lechwe.

I know I can sail her myself, when the autohelm is working OK, but its the parking afterwards that worries me!

 

[Marmalade]

Nick - you're right. It's the first and last 100 yards that give me pause for thought! Getting her out through the lock is probably the trickiest. I can come back through on freeflow tomorrow - we're berthed on a big hammerhead so I shouldn't have too much trouble but haven't tried it solo yet!

Guess I'm going to spend the morning polishing stuff!

Simon

 

[rwoofer]

I got my confidence up for singlehanding by sailing with a crew that were asked to simply standby and not do anything unless instructed. A couple of goes of this, some pre-planning of ropes with regard to wind/tide etc. and I've never looked back.

I have to say that the Cherbourg pontoons were a challenge too far and the Harbour Master offered to help without me even asking (which I was very relieved and ready to accept).

 

[Marmalade]

That's the trick - if you can get someone to take a line the rest becomes easier... I've taken her off the pontoon single handed - Sue came up on deck to find us half way to the lock! In light winds it's no trouble.

 

[dunedin]

Don't know about the locks, but I checked the insurance and took the plunge singlehanded last year. Really glad I did as had some great sails.
I put one of these spring arms on the end of the pontoon finger to hold the ropes up - simply lift them off with the boathook, drop the pre-sized loop of the sternline on the deck cleat and pick up the bow line, walk forward and job done.
Go sailing !