First time out single handed!

[shmoo]

The admiral gave me permission to take the boat out single handed this weekend. My first time. Just a modest trip from Woodbridge, down the Deben (Sea Reach before I got the fenders in), over the Bar. Managed to put a reef in off Felixstowe. Into the Stour and anchor down, phew! Slept like the dead.

Sunday morning and big head scratch. How to get the anchor up single handed? No windlass and swmbo usually motors us forward. Fortunately at 9.00 am there was next to no wind and next to no stream so up it came. Round to Levington to pick up the kids to crew me back and managed that without disaster.

Next time I will go out and back single handed. Great fun, but really hard work.

 

[Channel Ribs]

[ QUOTE ]
Great fun, but really hard work.

[/ QUOTE ]

If I say that is gets easier will it be encouraging? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[shmoo]

I am still weighing up having no one to blame against not having to wash. Its a close one.

 

[MoodySabre]

Excellent. Well done.

I've done a couple of solos out of Bradwell and back. Picked up a buoy solo for the first time this week. Looking forward to a trip down to Brightlingsea for the night - build some confidence about going into places you know but without an extra pair of hands. Maybe later this week...

 

[sailorman]

i had a great sail from Pin Mill to Ramsholt saturday, full sails set up to 8 kts boat spd off of the pier.
pleasant early evening in "The Arms" then a ruby o/b ( i had to cook it as i was the only one there ), a very peacefull night wonderfull stary night watched the moon rising before retiring.
rudly awoken @ 05.30 hts by craft motoring past, got up decided still enough water to cross the Bar on the Ebb so cast off. tea & breakfast on the hoof so to speak.
cleared the Bar @ 06.00 min depth below the keel 1.3 mts a gentle motor back to the Orwell. Berthed washed boat, filled water tanks & home 7 hrs earlier than planned

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[DanTribe]

Watched you anchor next to us on The Stour.
All done so smoothly I didn't realise you were solo.
And wasn't it a perfect evening, did you watch the moonrise?
Dan

 

[Allan]

Good for you! My first time was along the coast of north Brittany, calling in to ports on the way. Sailing was simple but I found going into harbours and marinas a problem. I went much further than I planned and sailed back in one. 30 hours at the tiller with no autopilot. I will never forget it! The best time of my life! Getting back and and walking forward to take the sails down like an expert. I have never felt so good and can't see when I ever will! Keep doing it until it seems easier.
Allan

 

[exfinnsailor]

My first was out of SOUTHWOLD .. and BACK all good fun .. New boat on way so will be in Ipswich .. Friends at Southwold so first trip planned .. Just got to wait for the boat .. Its been a long time comming .. Good job its been raining .. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[CPD]

Well done. I find that anchoring is without a doubt the most difficult thing to do solo, so crack that and you'll find the rest a doddle /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. On a more serious note, the way to make it easier is to think through absolutely everything well ahead so you have time to work things out. Dont leave it until that last moment when you are short of both hands and time.

 

[shmoo]

[ QUOTE ]

Watched you anchor next to us


[/ QUOTE ]
Wow. That's a first too. The first time I have had any real-life encounter with a forumite, even if at 100m away. Not all virtual then...

You must have been the boat just inshore (south) of me, I guess.

Anchoring in the Stour is a pretty sure business. I have a big Bruce and somewhat oversize chain for the boat, so when that lot hits the filthy sticky mud I know I am not going anywhere! (Other anchors are available: not a cue for anchoring thread please)

 

[marksaab]

Hi All
What a lovely day Sat was! I was desperate to get out and do some sailing...finally! But by the time bro and I fitted a new fishfinder, compass and played about mooring and engine testing we ran out of of time to get out of West Mersea.

At least I know everything works now!

Dropped him off then spent a very nice sat night/sun morning on boat.

If its not blowing a gale I'm finally getting her out in 2 weeks...cant wait.

few pics below.

 

[Slow_boat]

Fun single handed, isn't it?

I admit to finding it easier, probably because I don't have SWMBO questioning everything and don't have to go into marinas so daughter can use her hair straighteners! Plus, of course, there's no one to know if I cock it up or get the ETA wrong!

I've found that the trick to anchoring and mooring is to prepare everything in plenty of time, heaving to makes reefing a doddle and that an auto helm is as good an investment as fiddles on the cooker! Oh, and write a good passage plan to keep in the cockpit, or at least the Eastcoast pilot book.

BTW, saw Pipedreamer in Bradwell the other day (I was the one that warped backwards against the tide, backed into the end of the pontoon finger and got a tongue lashing from SWMBO!)

 

[Rabbie]

Sounds to me as if you are beginning to get the essence and flavour of this wonderful hobby of ours. Isn't it satisfying? Rab. (99.9 o/o single hander).

 

[Searush]

Even with the family on board I feel I am single-handing with passengers! Somehow, even after 30 yrs they have chosen to learn almost nothing about sailing the boat!!!