Setting up your boat for single/short handed sailing.

[Poignard]

I have one too bit I found that i could never seem to lock the tiller in exactly the right position.

While I would use my tiller pilot for such fiddly things if I already had it set up, I would often not bother - if it was a quick job, I'd just let go for a second or two.

I have a couple of lines (like tent guys) attached to the cockpit coamings which loop over the tiller when needed and allow fine adjustment. Illustrated in Eric Hiscock's "Cruising Under Sail"

 

[Tranona]

Anchor more.
Faced with the choice of marina or anchor, I'll always take the latter. Especially when it's bows-to with no lazy-line.

Not a lot of that type of mooring in the Isles of Bute where the OP sails!

 

[Tintin]

A few things I find worthwhile....

Having the anchor ready to drop. Always (there was one time when I didn't, and so far that is the only time I have needed it in a hurry)

Have a backup tiller pilot and cover them in pallet wrap or layers of clingfilm.

ALWAYS do a pilotage plan by hand, even if using electronics and handheld devices. The one time I didn't......

Choose whether you are going to reef and do halyards from cockpit or mast. A mix of both is a nightmare. Far easier, IMHO, to have them all at the mast - that is where any issues usually need sorting from. Getting used to being at the mast, where to clip on, where to brace, put the winch handle, sail ties etc... in horrid weather is worth doing.

Have a flask for hot water and a wide neck flask for soup or instant noodles or spag bol etc....

Clip on allways.

Wear a lifejacket always

Get a PLB and put it on your lifejacket allways

Keep you knife and multi tool on you - spinlock do a great velcro-on pouch for lifejackets. There's even room for snack.

 

[Tintin]

And it's worth buying Andrew Evans book rather than relying on the free download.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

And it's worth buying Andrew Evans book rather than relying on the free download.

Why do you say this? Have you read the book? This is what it says on the inside of the front cover.

This book is only available as a free download from The Singlehanded Sailing Society at www.sfbaysss.org/tipsbook

Andrew Evans made the book free when downloaded from the approved link. I am not sure that the book is even available to purchase.

Actually I stand corrected its available to buy: -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Singlehanded-Sailing-Thoughts-Techniques-Tactics/dp/0071836535

 

[LadyInBed]

Though I wish I had a light carbon pole longer than the standard alloy item.

Slight drift but look round for an old windsurfer mast. You can cut a section from it to the length and diameter that suits.
Force4 do large plastic piston ends at a reasonable price but they are on special order.

 

[doug748]

A good tip, thanks LiB.

If anyone has an old mast within striking distance of Plymouth I would be interested ....my spinnaker poles is 12.5 ft, I think, so anything longer would be good.

 

[Tintin]

Why do you say this? Have you read the book? This is what it says on the inside of the front cover.



Andrew Evans made the book free when downloaded from the approved link. I am not sure that the book is even available to purchase.

Actually I stand corrected its available to buy: -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Singlehanded-Sailing-Thoughts-Techniques-Tactics/dp/0071836535

I think it's the right thing to do to buy a book when it's sooooo good.

 

[Foolish Muse]

I think it's the right thing to do to buy a book when it's sooooo good.

Hi guys. Thanks for the comments on my book. I'm glad you like it. There is a newer edition of the free version available here:
http://sfbaysss.org/resource/doc/SinglehandedTipsThirdEdition2.pdf

And there is the published version mentioned above with lots more inside. Have fun.

 

[jimi]

learn to heave to.

 

[Babylon]

learn to heave to.

:encouragement:

 

[Foolish Muse]

Heaving to is a very valuable skill. But more than just how to do it, you need to learn exactly how the boat will sit afterwards. You should be able to sail into an anchorage and heave to in a tight space. This means you know how to stop the boat dead, and you know where you will be facing relative to the wind depending on if you hove to on the port or starboard side.

And you have to be able to heave to from a beat, a reach or a run. Lots to learn.

 

[Babylon]

When doing it in the middle of the Solent, choose starboard tack!

 

[Fantasie 19]

Quite possibly the single most useful device I fitted to my boat to aid single handed sailing was a tiller tamer. It allows you to lock the tiller in any particular location instantly, and release it just as quickly. Tiller pilots are great for longer periods but the ability to keep the boat on a heading just long enough to retrieve a line, adjust something, or even grab something from down below is a real boon.

+1

The biggest improvements I made are also as other posters have said ie. leading the main halyard / topping lift /jib furler line back to the cockpit.. in your case the reefing lines as well

On a 7mtr boat you don't need a self tacker.. just shove the tiller over and hold it with your leg (I use the pocket on my shorts ) while you sort the sheets...

Oh, and the heaving to advice is well said as well...!

 

[Channel Sailor]

A few things I find worthwhile....

Get a PLB and put it on your lifejacket allways

Keep you knife and multi tool on you - spinlock do a great velcro-on pouch for lifejackets. There's even room for snack.

That tip about the Spinlock pouch was good for me. I bought one today! Just what I need for my PLB and knife. Thank you.

 

[Tintin]

That tip about the Spinlock pouch was good for me. I bought one today! Just what I need for my PLB and knife. Thank you.

Glad to be of service. I used mine across the southern ocean and it was surprisingly wateroroof, keeping my electronic cigarette dry for 98% of the time.