First time sailing singlehanded (with pics)

[Malcb]

Brings it back to me. Although I'd sailed all the time with a crew, the first time I took my own boat out for the vert first time single handed was .....well an occasion.. Was the wind strength low enough for me to get out and back in by myself?, was the wind direction right?. Eventually , I thought bugger it and went for it, and have enjoyed myself ever since.

I've even left the marina in thunderstorms, I lock out (and in) single handed now.

Enjoy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[upthesolent]

From another Leisure 23 Owner - glad you enjoyed your first single handed sail.
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Norman_E]

Well done. My first solo was last year and it was a great feeling though I did not manage any photos.
Next time put up the main as well, so that you get a well balanced sail. It will be easiest in more open water where you can have a long sail before you have to tack, and it is a good idea to practice putting in and shaking out reefs whilst solo. An autopilot helps a lot of course.

 

[tugboat]

Thanks for the pics, what a beautiful day. I'm hoping to visit sometime to meet up with an old colleague who lives at Dalkey.

 

[jb2006]

Good thread and well done. I have sailed our 29 footer single handed several times - getting back onto the berth is a bit fraught, everything else you learn to be slightly more organised while you do it and it goes fine even on windy days.
Lowering the chute was a bit of a handful though /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

We are moving to a 33 footer this season so that will be a whole new challenge - can't wait

 

[ashanta]

Well done mate,
I sail SH most of the time but I can honestly tell you I can remember the the very first time I did so. Welcome to the club and I hope you have a great season.

 

[Dyflin]

Thank you very much for all the positive comments and replies, almost 24 hours later and I still have a silly grin on my face /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Slow_boat]

Good feeling, innit?

 

[jbweston]

Congratulations Dyflin.

I completely agree with Rabbie.

I'd just add that I enjoy meeting,working and sailing with other people but also enjoy sailing by myself, which is what I usually do. There's a sense of freedom combined with responsibility - although that sounds an odd combination.

 

[Slow_boat]

It's called self reliance, a necessary ingredient of freedom.

Feels good, doesn't it? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

There's not enough of it about these days and therefore not enough freedom.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

The single, most important negative about single-handed sailing.....

.... is that there is no one to blame if I do a balls-up. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Notice that I don't say 'when'. As a single-hander I must necessarily be always right when out sailing.

There is nobody who can tell tales that I'm a bad skipper / navigator / cook / shipwright / sailmaker / rigger / lines handler / helmsman / sail trimmer .......a.s.o. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif