Daydream believer
Well-known member
One point not mentioned is WHEN to fit the fenders.
having sailed my cruising ground for years, I know most of the ports well enough to expect what is coming.
I also sail 95% single handed. After a long trip- ie Bradwell Ostend etc I am usually knackered. If the wind is not playing ball it can be rough off the Belgian coast. So I tend to start getting ready at least a 2-3 miles offshore. That means, engine on, jib furled, main down & secured. That takes 15 minutes. Sometimes longer if rough.
Then I have to crawl along the deck ( I cannot stand except when I go past the shrouds) to the bow to get the dock lines from the anchor locker. I fit the 2 bow lines & crawl back to the cockpit. That takes another 10 minutes.
Check what is around me & unhook the fenders from the stern, shuffle bum along the cabin top & fit 3 to each side along with the 2 spring lines. which are looped arong the 2 cabin winches that takes another 15 minutes
Then I get the stern line from the aft locker & hook it across the stern over the 2 chute winches ( I can flip it off whichever side I do not want it when I go in).
I then gather my senses have a breather & start the final run in to port having travelled up to 3 miles in the time taken. Normally at this time I visit the heads because one knows for certain one will want to go just as one enters the port.
I can do all this in the outer harbour to Cherbourg but there are no other harbours with enough room
Aproaching Harwich I like to be ready before entering the river.
Returning to Bradwell I do not have to worry about berthing lines so I generally start just before Sales point
What do others do when single handed?
having sailed my cruising ground for years, I know most of the ports well enough to expect what is coming.
I also sail 95% single handed. After a long trip- ie Bradwell Ostend etc I am usually knackered. If the wind is not playing ball it can be rough off the Belgian coast. So I tend to start getting ready at least a 2-3 miles offshore. That means, engine on, jib furled, main down & secured. That takes 15 minutes. Sometimes longer if rough.
Then I have to crawl along the deck ( I cannot stand except when I go past the shrouds) to the bow to get the dock lines from the anchor locker. I fit the 2 bow lines & crawl back to the cockpit. That takes another 10 minutes.
Check what is around me & unhook the fenders from the stern, shuffle bum along the cabin top & fit 3 to each side along with the 2 spring lines. which are looped arong the 2 cabin winches that takes another 15 minutes
Then I get the stern line from the aft locker & hook it across the stern over the 2 chute winches ( I can flip it off whichever side I do not want it when I go in).
I then gather my senses have a breather & start the final run in to port having travelled up to 3 miles in the time taken. Normally at this time I visit the heads because one knows for certain one will want to go just as one enters the port.
I can do all this in the outer harbour to Cherbourg but there are no other harbours with enough room
Aproaching Harwich I like to be ready before entering the river.
Returning to Bradwell I do not have to worry about berthing lines so I generally start just before Sales point
What do others do when single handed?