William_H
Well-Known Member
I guess our weather is more predictable than UK. However in summer it involves glorious but flukey sailing on a land breeze until it drops and returns as a sea breeze of 20knots. Often so fast you can see it arriving across the water. The secret to single handed sailing is to be conservative and know what the weather will do.
It is absolutely essential to be able to reef from the cockpit. ie get rid of those tack horns and replace with a line from the cockpit. I can pull a first reef in in seconds. I don't even use a topping lift. Just let the halyard go about half the needed amount then pull on the clue line to lift the boom. Pull on the tack line along with releasing the halyard more. All this is done when sailing about 50 degrees from the wind ie with the jib still driving to keep control.
I use bolt rope in the mast (no sliders) the tack reefing line will hold the excess sail in place.
In my case with a large main reefing will often help. However eventually the jib must be removed. (No roller reefing) A light line to the top of the jib via a block at the bow then back to the cockpit will enable the jib to be pulled down and held to the deck from the cockpit.
So yes you must be prepared for sail reduction when single handed.
enjoy the sailing olewill (mid winter with boat at home)
It is absolutely essential to be able to reef from the cockpit. ie get rid of those tack horns and replace with a line from the cockpit. I can pull a first reef in in seconds. I don't even use a topping lift. Just let the halyard go about half the needed amount then pull on the clue line to lift the boom. Pull on the tack line along with releasing the halyard more. All this is done when sailing about 50 degrees from the wind ie with the jib still driving to keep control.
I use bolt rope in the mast (no sliders) the tack reefing line will hold the excess sail in place.
In my case with a large main reefing will often help. However eventually the jib must be removed. (No roller reefing) A light line to the top of the jib via a block at the bow then back to the cockpit will enable the jib to be pulled down and held to the deck from the cockpit.
So yes you must be prepared for sail reduction when single handed.
enjoy the sailing olewill (mid winter with boat at home)