Kukri
Well-Known Member
They don’t do the same job. The MOB Lifesaver is for when you go OB and are NOT clipped on!
How to start single handing
- Thread starter scottie
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They don’t do the same job. The MOB Lifesaver is for when you go OB and are NOT clipped on!
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
What happens with a backtow LJ when one wants to lean agains the bulkhead of the cabin? i know that with my LJ even the small joint between the main straps & the leg straps forms an uncomportable lump right in the centre of my spine which is very uncomfortable. I inagine that it would ne nigh on impossible to lean back against a high cockpit side for rest with the hook etc in the middle of one's back.
then , of course, if one is SH & over the side it must be difficult to turn over to do a self rescue. I am not talking about doing 6kts, but 1 kt or when a yacht is anchored in a strong current & one falls over.
It should be possible to do something, but not if anchored upside down.
then , of course, if one is SH & over the side it must be difficult to turn over to do a self rescue. I am not talking about doing 6kts, but 1 kt or when a yacht is anchored in a strong current & one falls over.
It should be possible to do something, but not if anchored upside down.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
With the Backtow there is no “hook in the middle of your back” - as well as being uncomfortable, would be rather difficult to clip on. It has a soft webbing attachment point at the front, like a conventional life jacket.
Poignard
Well-Known Member
The responses to my rather pompously-worded statement that "an autopilot is not, and should not be, essential.", have convinced me that I was wrong to make that assertion.
For some people, an autopilot obviously is essential when single-handing. I think that is a bad thing but many disagree, and are happy to accept their reliance on an autopilot. I wouldn't be, and I would never buy a cruising yacht that would not heave to, or steer herself for a while.
If the price of that is missing out on the excitement of having a faster boat then that's a price I am content to pay.
So I will bend the knee and amend my statement to: "an autopilot should not be essential."
ps In case anyone hasn't noticed, this thread is in the Practical Boat Owner forum and a boat that won't heave to ain't practical!
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srm
Well-Known Member
Lots of ideas etc on avoiding going overboard, and well worth the consideration.
Many years ago a friend, RYA YM Instructor and MN supertanker captain, was on a single handed coastal passage up the east coast of Scotland. He was day sailing with his wife driving the car from port to port.
On his final leg the weather deteriorated well beyond the forecast range. He chose to drop sail and motor, clipped on in the cockpit. He had said earlier that this would be his prefered bad weather tactic.
When he was overdue his wife informed the coastguard. Lifeboat was sent down the coast to intercept him. They found the boat motoring in a circle with the skipper's body being towed against the quarter. From the state of the boat it looked as if it had been hit by a big wave and probably knocked down throwing him out of the cockpit.
Many years ago a friend, RYA YM Instructor and MN supertanker captain, was on a single handed coastal passage up the east coast of Scotland. He was day sailing with his wife driving the car from port to port.
On his final leg the weather deteriorated well beyond the forecast range. He chose to drop sail and motor, clipped on in the cockpit. He had said earlier that this would be his prefered bad weather tactic.
When he was overdue his wife informed the coastguard. Lifeboat was sent down the coast to intercept him. They found the boat motoring in a circle with the skipper's body being towed against the quarter. From the state of the boat it looked as if it had been hit by a big wave and probably knocked down throwing him out of the cockpit.
Habebty
Well-Known Member
It's just like sailing with a crew, but you have to do everything yourself. Therefore, just think about the order you need to do things, how long it will take you to do everything so you know when to start doing it and if there is room to do it, and always think "what if".
Well before entering a marina (everything ready before the sea-room is restricted or busy) I rig 4 fenders either side, a line in every corner and midship line either side. You are then covered if the wind upsets your slow speed berthing plans or the marina person has ballsed up the berthing instructions or you go past your allotted berth down a dead end and have to go back - work out how your boat handles in close quarters forwards and astern first! Always keep an eye on the wind direction so you know whose expensive boat you are going to twat first.
While I am putting out lines and fenders, I have the Patent Poignard tillerpilot on. Set speed to about 2-3 knots whilst sorting out.
Marinas I have found a bit tricky singlehanded -
Ramsgate if bumpy outside, in which case stuff the port control and sort my self out in the outer harbour now the ferries have stopped.
Haslar - Not enough room to rig lines/fenders unless done out by the forts! so carry on past Haslar and sort out in the relative quiet off Clarence then turn back.
Brighton if bumpy outside but a bit more shelter inside if the boat will keep in one place. The trick is not to drift onto the mud inside or get in the way on busy days.
Have chartplotter in cockpit. My boat is tiller steered so plotter is under the sprayhood.
Have plenty of reachable drink and food.
When my tiller pilot started getting old, I thought "hmmm, this is a bit indespensible, I'll buy another, so I now carry two. Same with the chartplotter, I have a Garmin 276C as a backup.
Not many coastal singlehanders do chartwork in the cockpit unless their plotter has gone awol.
Get something to write on that will work in the wet. Useful for berthing instructions or mayday coordinates heard on the vhf. Get a vhf that you can operate from the cockpit. Handhelds are't a lot of good for talking to the coastguard if you spot a distress mid channel.
Probably loads more but do what I did and just do it.
Well before entering a marina (everything ready before the sea-room is restricted or busy) I rig 4 fenders either side, a line in every corner and midship line either side. You are then covered if the wind upsets your slow speed berthing plans or the marina person has ballsed up the berthing instructions or you go past your allotted berth down a dead end and have to go back - work out how your boat handles in close quarters forwards and astern first! Always keep an eye on the wind direction so you know whose expensive boat you are going to twat first.
While I am putting out lines and fenders, I have the Patent Poignard tillerpilot on. Set speed to about 2-3 knots whilst sorting out.
Marinas I have found a bit tricky singlehanded -
Ramsgate if bumpy outside, in which case stuff the port control and sort my self out in the outer harbour now the ferries have stopped.
Haslar - Not enough room to rig lines/fenders unless done out by the forts! so carry on past Haslar and sort out in the relative quiet off Clarence then turn back.
Brighton if bumpy outside but a bit more shelter inside if the boat will keep in one place. The trick is not to drift onto the mud inside or get in the way on busy days.
Have chartplotter in cockpit. My boat is tiller steered so plotter is under the sprayhood.
Have plenty of reachable drink and food.
When my tiller pilot started getting old, I thought "hmmm, this is a bit indespensible, I'll buy another, so I now carry two. Same with the chartplotter, I have a Garmin 276C as a backup.
Not many coastal singlehanders do chartwork in the cockpit unless their plotter has gone awol.
Get something to write on that will work in the wet. Useful for berthing instructions or mayday coordinates heard on the vhf. Get a vhf that you can operate from the cockpit. Handhelds are't a lot of good for talking to the coastguard if you spot a distress mid channel.
Probably loads more but do what I did and just do it.
Concerto
Well-Known Member
That is very gracious of you to admit to changing your point of view. Of all the boats either I or another family member has bought, both new and secondhand, only 3 have we sailed before purchasing out of a dozen, so checking for being able to self steer or heave to was by judgement only not checking ourselves.The responses to my rather pompously-worded statement that "an autopilot is not, and should not be, essential.", have convinced me that I was wrong to make that assertion.
For some people, an autopilot obviously is essential when single-handing. I think that is a bad thing but many disagree, and are happy to accept their reliance on an autopilot. I wouldn't be, and I would never buy a cruising yacht that would not heave to, or steer herself for a while.
If the price of that is missing out on the excitement of having a faster boat then that's a price I am content to pay.
So I will bend the knee and amend my statement to: "an autopilot should not be essential."
ps In case anyone hasn't noticed, this thread is in the Practical Boat Owner forum and a boat that won't heave to ain't practical!
thinwater
Well-Known Member
The responses to my rather pompously-worded statement that "an autopilot is not, and should not be, essential.", have convinced me that I was wrong to make that assertion.
For some people, an autopilot obviously is essential when single-handing. I think that is a bad thing but many disagree, and are happy to accept their reliance on an autopilot. I wouldn't be, and I would never buy a cruising yacht that would not heave to, or steer herself for a while.
If the price of that is missing out on the excitement of having a faster boat then that's a price I am content to pay.
So I will bend the knee and amend my statement to: "an autopilot should not be essential."
ps In case anyone hasn't noticed, this thread is in the Practical Boat Owner forum and a boat that won't heave to ain't practical!
I agree with you. Eventually the AP will fail. Even if not, there are times it won't work well, or that it will only work with the boat properly balanced, which means you could also learn to hoist, drop, anchor and maneuver without it. If you cannot do these thing singlehanded with no engine or AP, I would argue you are not yet a complete sailor. Heck, every dinghy sailor has to learn these things, since they have neither engine not AP.
I do feel some sort of helm lock is essencial. But this can be very simple. And most boats will happily continue on some course with the jib in, main out, and helm locked. You don't have to heave to, just balance the boat.
I think many confuse "really handy" with "essential." You should be able to do everything, including getting at least into the harbor, with no AP and engine failure. This is just ... basic. I find it interesing how many sailors feel they need a full elecronics suite before they can leave the dock. Often, I don't turn any of it on. I'm out to sail, not play video games. Most didn't exist in any practical sense when I learned.
Concerto
Well-Known Member
Although I still believe an autopilot is essential for starting to singlehand, you should always have a backup system. I have a Tiller Clutch fitted and doubles to keep the tiller fixed whilst berthed. You can see it in the photo. This PBO article tested those available and the Tiller Clutch was the recommended device.
Tiller locks tested - Practical Boat Owner
Tiller locks tested - Practical Boat Owner
Wing Mark
Well-Known Member
An old trick is to lock the tiller with some heavy bungee in both sides.
Then you can apply a little steering by leaning on the tiller , using a foot or whatever.
Buck Turgidson
Well-Known Member
Bungee is my go to upwind mode. Done several 12 hour legs without touching it because it's very gust resistant.
Concerto
Well-Known Member
Have done that is the past when an autopilt failed, later tracked down to a fractured power cable.
steveeasy
Well-Known Member
I sail single handed most of the time. Forward planning makes life much easier. Reef early. Tiller pilot. Have anchor ready to deploy if you have engine problems on rivers. Lines ready. I use a midships cleat when tieing up. Be sensible with weather.always have a back up plan. And its as easy as putting up with crew.
Steveeasy
Steveeasy
Kukri
Well-Known Member
A tiny point on midships cleats; they can catch the headsail sheets; to prevent this there should be a “bail” made from small stainless steel rod that can be flicked up and over them when getting under way.
awol
Well-Known Member
.
That goes for bow cleats as well. An alternative to a "bail" is shaped blocks of wood and shock cord.
Rhylsailer99
Well-Known Member
The advise I wish I would have know is to make sure there is a knot tied to the end of your halyards.
As I lost my topping lift straight up the mast what a nightmare it's been with just one rope.
Will get it sorted soon.
As I lost my topping lift straight up the mast what a nightmare it's been with just one rope.
Will get it sorted soon.
Kukri
Well-Known Member
It can be worse! When I was 19 I was single handing and forgot to tie a stopper knot at the end of the mainsheet… this presents an interesting conundrum…??
… the only way to get the mainsail back under control is to lower it and then try to get a rope round the boom, but, with no mainsheet, the boat doesn’t want to turn upwind, so the mainsail doesn’t want to come down…??
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LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
For that to happen, the tether must have been too long.
Buck Turgidson
Well-Known Member
When the boat was new to me I suffered the same with an old and slightly too short main sheet. Have always replaced it with one at least 2 meters too long and changed from figure 8 to thumb knots for stoppers. ???
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
I would modify that advice.
Tie the stopper further up the halyard at the point where it enters the mast leaving enough tail so you can:
- Reach it (a couple of my entry points are quite high)
- Get a turn on a cleat
- Get a turn on a winch
