SirSnoozalot
New member
Yeah. lol.
Single handed cruising
- Thread starter christopherc
- Start date
Emjaytoo
New member
[ QUOTE ]
Loop over, pull tight, leave motor in slow ahead and steer into the berth. That holds her well into position while you step ashore and calmly make the bow and stern fast.
[/ QUOTE ]
SWiMBO & I use this technique all the time. SWiMBO is on the helm and I hop off with a pre-set midship line which I drop over the outer pontoon cleat.
SWiMBO says she always steers away from the berth , so as to tuck the stern in. I of course have all the time in the world to sort out the rest of the mooring lines, but what I'm not doing is seeing which way she steers. Is she right? I think so!
Loop over, pull tight, leave motor in slow ahead and steer into the berth. That holds her well into position while you step ashore and calmly make the bow and stern fast.
[/ QUOTE ]
SWiMBO & I use this technique all the time. SWiMBO is on the helm and I hop off with a pre-set midship line which I drop over the outer pontoon cleat.
SWiMBO says she always steers away from the berth , so as to tuck the stern in. I of course have all the time in the world to sort out the rest of the mooring lines, but what I'm not doing is seeing which way she steers. Is she right? I think so!
MarkGrubb
New member
Ferry glide by steming the tide by motoring (or sailing if you're well practised) into it and adjusting your revs so your speed over ground becomes zero.
One way to tell speed is to use a transit. (best ones are at right angles to you). Note, if the tide is weak you can control your speed by using little bursts of tick over ahead, and then back into neutral.
Once you're stemming the tide, turn the boat to the left or right, the boat will then move sideways. Keep using the transit and gears to stop you moving forward or backward over the ground, and you will move at a right angle across the direction of the tide. Its great for getting into, and out of tight spots under complete control. The further you point the bows off, the faster you will move sideways. If you want to stop, turn back to point into the tide, and stem the tide again.
Its possible to ferry glide ahead and astern, but astern needs a bit more practise, and, depending on your boat, you may have to deal with prop walk.
Once you've got the hang of ferry gliding, a knot of tide can be your best friend when handling in close quarters, and you'll start picking berths (or bouys) based on the tide). You'll also start to undertstand why it all went wrong before.
Also good for gently joining and leaving (if you're on the outside) a raft of boats under good control.
One way to tell speed is to use a transit. (best ones are at right angles to you). Note, if the tide is weak you can control your speed by using little bursts of tick over ahead, and then back into neutral.
Once you're stemming the tide, turn the boat to the left or right, the boat will then move sideways. Keep using the transit and gears to stop you moving forward or backward over the ground, and you will move at a right angle across the direction of the tide. Its great for getting into, and out of tight spots under complete control. The further you point the bows off, the faster you will move sideways. If you want to stop, turn back to point into the tide, and stem the tide again.
Its possible to ferry glide ahead and astern, but astern needs a bit more practise, and, depending on your boat, you may have to deal with prop walk.
Once you've got the hang of ferry gliding, a knot of tide can be your best friend when handling in close quarters, and you'll start picking berths (or bouys) based on the tide). You'll also start to undertstand why it all went wrong before.
Also good for gently joining and leaving (if you're on the outside) a raft of boats under good control.
christopherc
New member
Ah, I see. Thanks very much
Slow_boat
New member
Depends on the boat shape and where the line goes to, I guess. My boat is full in the bow with a (comparatively) skinny stern and the line goes to the sheet winch in the cockpit. I suppose a modern fat arsed boat with a lean bow and line to midships would lie differently, so what your SWMBO says makes sense to me.
Emjaytoo
New member
Yes, I can see that!
The thing is - isn't a midship line such a brilliant device, however it works?
I watch people in our marina bring their boat upto the finger, crew steps off neatly with a line in hand and then it goes t*ts up and they spend the next 10 mins heaving on lines, shouting, etc, etc.
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
The thing is - isn't a midship line such a brilliant device, however it works?
I watch people in our marina bring their boat upto the finger, crew steps off neatly with a line in hand and then it goes t*ts up and they spend the next 10 mins heaving on lines, shouting, etc, etc.
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Slow_boat
New member
The great thing about ferry gliding onto a mooring is that because you're aproaching sideways and never loose sight of it. Also, you have time to adjust your speed by trial and error before you get there rather than have to get it right first time.
Try it. It works a treat.
Try it. It works a treat.
Talbot
Active member
One of the most important devices for the single handed sailor is a good autopilot that can cope with bad conditions. This means a system with rate aided gyros to enable the device to anticipate a wheel requirement, and a strong motor to be able to turn the wheel.
It is also essential to learn to balance the sails to minimise the stress on the autopilot.
It is also essential to learn to balance the sails to minimise the stress on the autopilot.
mandlmaunder
New member
Have you thought about a cat?
Just asking as our 36' can be sailed by one person as all leads back to the cockpit.
Also, it is possible, if no-one else is around to catch lines, to dock by driving in forwards, gently placing both bows (with 'U' fenders) against a dock or pontoon and leaving it gently (again) in drive while you go and attach a line; then you can shuffle about to settle in side-to. Magic!
Leaving requires the use of slipped lines, but is equally simple.
Think about it......
Just asking as our 36' can be sailed by one person as all leads back to the cockpit.
Also, it is possible, if no-one else is around to catch lines, to dock by driving in forwards, gently placing both bows (with 'U' fenders) against a dock or pontoon and leaving it gently (again) in drive while you go and attach a line; then you can shuffle about to settle in side-to. Magic!
Leaving requires the use of slipped lines, but is equally simple.
Think about it......
Niander
New member
When i did the cally canal i rigged up a short line permanently ready midships one on each side
and comeing in slowly and then neutral i just steped on the pontoon line in hand and made fast after stoping hurley 22 with line...worked well... well controled..yacht cant go anywhere made fast midships then bow and stern lines also ofcourse.
if comeing against a harbor wall i tie same midship line temporarily to ladder again works a treat.
and comeing in slowly and then neutral i just steped on the pontoon line in hand and made fast after stoping hurley 22 with line...worked well... well controled..yacht cant go anywhere made fast midships then bow and stern lines also ofcourse.
if comeing against a harbor wall i tie same midship line temporarily to ladder again works a treat.
starboard
Active member
I spend about 1000miles per year singlehanded, my own boat is 25ft 6" which is ideal but would be happy up to about 32ft, anything bigger than that becomes a handful whilst going alongside in a marina in windy conditions, not to easy to hop off and get the lines sorted the bigger the boat....as for at sea in my view there is no differance if 25ft or 45ft as with modren reefing aids its as easy to control a 45 footer as a 19 footer, look at the open 60's racing the oceans single-handed............my own perfect single-handed boat would be a Conttesa 32, a great sea boat and easily handled both off shore and in close quarter situations.
Paul.
Paul.
graham
Well-known member
[ QUOTE ]
Reef as soon as you think 'I wonder if I should reef' and you can't go far wrong. The great thing about sailing alone is that you can go at your own pace, and if you need to anchor 'cos you missed the tide gate there's no one to complain!
[/ QUOTE ]
Absolutely right,like you I work unsociable hours and most of my time off is weekdays.Luckilly SWMBO knows I need my sailing fixes so doesnt mind me going off for a few days at a time .
Last Wednesday I intended to take the PM tide but woke up about 0600 on the boat to find blue sky and a perfect breeze. Departed Weston River Axe and sailed back to Cardiff in perfect conditions arriving in time for a big breakfast on the mooring before heading for home feeling on top of the world.
You just cant do spur of the moment things with 3 or 4 people aboard.
You dont need any gizmos to singlehand a boat. I ve been doing it for decades with out autopilot or chartplotters etc etc I have a depth sounder and compass as essentials and hand held gps and VHF as luxury itemS.
Reef as soon as you think 'I wonder if I should reef' and you can't go far wrong. The great thing about sailing alone is that you can go at your own pace, and if you need to anchor 'cos you missed the tide gate there's no one to complain!
[/ QUOTE ]
Absolutely right,like you I work unsociable hours and most of my time off is weekdays.Luckilly SWMBO knows I need my sailing fixes so doesnt mind me going off for a few days at a time .
Last Wednesday I intended to take the PM tide but woke up about 0600 on the boat to find blue sky and a perfect breeze. Departed Weston River Axe and sailed back to Cardiff in perfect conditions arriving in time for a big breakfast on the mooring before heading for home feeling on top of the world.
You just cant do spur of the moment things with 3 or 4 people aboard.
You dont need any gizmos to singlehand a boat. I ve been doing it for decades with out autopilot or chartplotters etc etc I have a depth sounder and compass as essentials and hand held gps and VHF as luxury itemS.
wotayottie
New member
As people have said, its not really an issue of size though personally I wouldnt go above the low thirties - why would you need that extra space?
Its more an issue of manageability ie a boat that isnt flighty. I once had a 26 ft Hunter - far from a good single hander because it was like a big dinghy. You couldnt leave the helm without the autohelm, and the latter wouldnt cope with string winds.
My second boat (a cat) wasnt much better but the probs were different. It was a doddle to single hand at sea since it was very stable. But coming into harbour was a different matter since in any sort of cross wind it would drift off sideways. It really needed three people to moor in a stiff cross breeze.
In reckon your best bet is something like a Contessa 32 or a long keeled boat like the Twister. Then you need to equip to suit your ambitions and the most important bit of kit is a good autohelm (with good leccy supply too). Second most important kit is centre cleats. Third is everything led back to the cockpit cos deck work on your own in a seaway is dodgy. The a chartplotter at the wheel cos going below when entering harbour is a no no for a single hander.
Its more an issue of manageability ie a boat that isnt flighty. I once had a 26 ft Hunter - far from a good single hander because it was like a big dinghy. You couldnt leave the helm without the autohelm, and the latter wouldnt cope with string winds.
My second boat (a cat) wasnt much better but the probs were different. It was a doddle to single hand at sea since it was very stable. But coming into harbour was a different matter since in any sort of cross wind it would drift off sideways. It really needed three people to moor in a stiff cross breeze.
In reckon your best bet is something like a Contessa 32 or a long keeled boat like the Twister. Then you need to equip to suit your ambitions and the most important bit of kit is a good autohelm (with good leccy supply too). Second most important kit is centre cleats. Third is everything led back to the cockpit cos deck work on your own in a seaway is dodgy. The a chartplotter at the wheel cos going below when entering harbour is a no no for a single hander.
dylanwinter
Active member
Could be 2010 before I get to the west country.
As for single handed sailing. A major part of the pleasure of sailing is in driving the boat efficiently. The absolute speed does not matter.
all that much..
I think that a single handed sailer stands a better chance of sailing a boat efficiently if the boat is not too big.
Its my guess that an efficiently executed tack is a much more demanding operation for a single hander to achieve in a 40 footer than in a 20 footer. I think small boats are easier to sail.
As for handling rough weather - well of course you can't beat a decent length of hull and a deep and heavy keel.
On the other hand, in a strong wind, I would rather be handling my tiny sails - smaller sail area than an Enterprise - than the amount of sail you would have to have up to keep a 40 footer sailing efficiently in 20 knots of wind.
However, if the wind was blowing at anywhere near 20 knots there is a very good chance I would be reading a book on a mooring.
And a 20 foot boat is cheaper than a 40 foot boat
Dylan http://uk.youtube.com/user/KeepTurningLeft
As for single handed sailing. A major part of the pleasure of sailing is in driving the boat efficiently. The absolute speed does not matter.
all that much..
I think that a single handed sailer stands a better chance of sailing a boat efficiently if the boat is not too big.
Its my guess that an efficiently executed tack is a much more demanding operation for a single hander to achieve in a 40 footer than in a 20 footer. I think small boats are easier to sail.
As for handling rough weather - well of course you can't beat a decent length of hull and a deep and heavy keel.
On the other hand, in a strong wind, I would rather be handling my tiny sails - smaller sail area than an Enterprise - than the amount of sail you would have to have up to keep a 40 footer sailing efficiently in 20 knots of wind.
However, if the wind was blowing at anywhere near 20 knots there is a very good chance I would be reading a book on a mooring.
And a 20 foot boat is cheaper than a 40 foot boat
Dylan http://uk.youtube.com/user/KeepTurningLeft
Rabbie
New member
I started single-handed cruising in a 14 footer and covered hundreds of miles having a great time,(Chichester to Devon). I eventually owned a Snapdragon 24 which is plenty adequate for a single-hander, tons of space and easy to sail on your own, but I somehow don't think that would interest you. Never mind marinas, (spit), plenty of anchorages to practise your skills on. Single-handers should be independent. I'm still singling in a Corribee 21 and I lack for nothing (except standing headroom).
christopherc
New member
Thanks, already committed to mono, but would seriously consider it next time around. Haven't grown out of the 'leaning over and thinking i'm going faster' thing yet tho
christopherc
New member
Yup, agree contessa 32 would be ideal for me. Just can't fit the family in. Maybe later when I/we dont need the space
christopherc
New member
Can't argue with any of that. Lets hope they still serve Doom Bar at the local in 2010 then!
SirSnoozalot
New member
If you were a single-hander who was going to live aboard, would you all still pick the same boats?
christopherc
New member
For me, probably not. I think liveaboard would require a different set of priorities to a s/h cruising boat. For a start I could afford to take something on that required more maintnenance because there would be more time around the boat