First time solo in CdG

[pyrojames]

As planned, I went down on Saturday to do some odd jobs, fitting lazyjacks being the main one and a pair of winches a close seond. Then a planned sail solo on Sunday. Ambitious thoughts on going to Pyefleet for lunch, involved getting up at dawn to catch the last of the ebb down the Orwell and the flood to the Colne.

Realism arrived with the halyards slapping hard at 6am and me rolling over inmy bunk for another hour. I set off for a meander in the Orwell, Stour and off Dovercourt around 8.

Sailed off the mooring, out to Deane, round Languard in pissing rain and then up the Stour. Dropped the hook under sail (lazyjacks, - I am a convert) had lunch. Did some more odd jobs, then set sail again, up to the Orwell Bridge and back to the mooring. Engine used briefly to get me out of trouble trying to pick up the mooring under sail, and success at second attempt.

Great weekend. Proved to myself I can go sailing solo, and not scare myself stupid. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[eastcoastbernie]

What did you have to go and do that for? Now I shall have 'em all telling me I should do it. Again!

Before you all start ... I don't want to sail single-handed!

 

[CliveG]

Bernie

Last time we met I am sure that you had 2 hands.
You could use both of them. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Sorry, I will get my hat.

 

[FullCircle]

Sounds like you are a natural James. Its a long walk from the steering gear to the mooring tackle though. I would get puffed out.


I haven't done much singlehanding lately, perhaps I should. I really enjoy the challenges, and my choice of music...

 

[Athene V30]

As someone who started to sail singlehanded due to lack of crew I really enjoy it and before I hear calls of Billy no mates it is even better when you meet up with others at the end of the sail so don't sit on your own all evening too! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[pyrojames]

The advantage of having 20 tons underneath you is that you can stroll leisurely up to the bow, without worrying about her blowing off!

 

[Koeketiene]

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Proved to myself I can go sailing solo, and not scare myself stupid. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

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Great job - enjoy the feeling /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Only singlehanded once so far - mostly enjoyed it.
The sailing itself was a doddle, it's the parking that worries me. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Have yet to figure out a method of picking up a mooring on my own - in particular in a blow.
It can get quite windy in our little corner.

 

[pyrojames]

Indeed, that was the only stumbling point, picking up the mooring at the end of the day. Anchoring (as long as there is lots of space) is fine, having to stop and pick up at a fixed point is more challenging. Currently I have twin strops of about 3m each, one of which I grab with a boat hook and drop over a bollard (port or stb) at the bow. Then sort out sails, before making fast fully. The extra weight of CdG helps, as long as you are near stationary at pick up. I am still struggling to judge the distance to the bouy when it dissappears under the bow though, it always ends up being further than I thought it was.

 

[sailorman]

As the Great Man /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif said "Mental Preparation /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" that all it requires /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Jomo]

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Have yet to figure out a method of picking up a mooring on my own


[/ QUOTE ]

Got that bit sorted, it's the anchoring I'm still trying sort out /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Koeketiene]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Have yet to figure out a method of picking up a mooring on my own


[/ QUOTE ]

Got that bit sorted, it's the anchoring I'm still trying sort out /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Anchoring sorted /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Let's compare notes over a Duvel in Ostend /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Jomo]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Have yet to figure out a method of picking up a mooring on my own


[/ QUOTE ]

Got that bit sorted, it's the anchoring I'm still trying sort out /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Anchoring sorted /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Let's compare notes over a Duvel in Ostend /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

ooh err skipper... sounds like a damn good plan /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Koeketiene]

I have my moments /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[MoodySabre]

Watch it Jomo - you're mixing with the big buoys - suggestions like "I just reach up and grab the rope off the top of the buoy" might not be appropriate /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Jomo]

[ QUOTE ]
Watch it Jomo - you're mixing with the big buoys - suggestions like "I just reach up and grab the rope off the top of the buoy" might not be appropriate /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Judging by the size of them there Duvel bottles, it's suggestions like "I'll just reach up and flip the top off that bottle" that worry me more /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[sailorman]

 

[Jomo]

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