lw395
Well-Known Member
Single handing
It's not a problem, it helps to prepare everything in advance, for instance coming alongside and having the warps all ready on the cleats. Or at least one amidships.
Just give yourself a bit of space for every manoeuvre, because the slightest inconvenience, like say a jib sheet catching on a fitting during a tack, which would be insiginificant for the crew to sort out, can quickly become a 'Fawlty Towers Moment' when singlehanded.
A means to hold the tiller is well worthwhile. An autopilot is not necessary but can be useful. A good tiller extension so you can steer from anywhere in the cockpit is nice.
Consider how easy it is to get the anchor deployed quickly, just in case something breaks.
Sails that go up and down quickly help, so a bit of wax polish on the luff rope or sliders and track might be nice. Any other bits that fight back might be worth a bit of maintenance.
Some preventative maintenance might be repaid, those small equipment failures that are sometimes part and parcel of owning an older boat could be a lot more embarrassing with no one to steer while you fix it.
Make sure you have somewhere to stow a flask of coffee and some biscuits within easy reach of the helm, you have to be seen to have prepared!
Do it on days when it's going to be enjoyable, not as something you feel you must do.
It's not a problem, it helps to prepare everything in advance, for instance coming alongside and having the warps all ready on the cleats. Or at least one amidships.
Just give yourself a bit of space for every manoeuvre, because the slightest inconvenience, like say a jib sheet catching on a fitting during a tack, which would be insiginificant for the crew to sort out, can quickly become a 'Fawlty Towers Moment' when singlehanded.
A means to hold the tiller is well worthwhile. An autopilot is not necessary but can be useful. A good tiller extension so you can steer from anywhere in the cockpit is nice.
Consider how easy it is to get the anchor deployed quickly, just in case something breaks.
Sails that go up and down quickly help, so a bit of wax polish on the luff rope or sliders and track might be nice. Any other bits that fight back might be worth a bit of maintenance.
Some preventative maintenance might be repaid, those small equipment failures that are sometimes part and parcel of owning an older boat could be a lot more embarrassing with no one to steer while you fix it.
Make sure you have somewhere to stow a flask of coffee and some biscuits within easy reach of the helm, you have to be seen to have prepared!
Do it on days when it's going to be enjoyable, not as something you feel you must do.
).................although he is still fit and active the big consideration is that he is not as nimble or strong as he used to be, and he is assuming that over time this will only change the one way.............the present thinking is trying to balance between small size, stability and ease of movement around deck. and of course price! (and for local purposes with bilge keels).....also thinking best to start something new now, so as he gets older he can trade nimbleness / strength against experiance / practice.
