Single handed

Cornishmuttley

Cornishmuttley

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My partner (on tiller) and I (on the sheets) can sail our Atlantic 28 with no (major) problems. However, I need to sail her single handed on a couple of occasions and would like some advice as to the best way to do this. When tacking is it ok to loosen off the leeward genoa sheet and let her fly until I complete the tack?
 
I'm sure you already know this, but it's the genoa that powers you through the tack so you don't want to let it fly until you're well into "lee-ho" - the bow has gone through the wind and the genoa would back if you left it any longer. Then you can swap sheets.
 
If you do that then you may stall in mid tack especially in light winds.

What about putting the helm down and as you pass through the eye of the wind then releasing the genoa sheet. This would enable you to centre the tiller upon completion and sheet in the new genoa.

Alternatively I suppose, for I have yet to use mine-(hasn't been out of it's locker in 3 seasons), you could get an Autohelm to take care of the tack leaving you to deal with the sheets
 
What I do is to uncleat the lee sheet but hold it until the headsail is almost aback. Then let it go and haul in the other sheet as quickly as possible before much weight comes on it. Letting sails flap is bad for them and they are doing nothing useful whilst they flap.

It helps if you have a long keel boat that will tack slowly and give you time to do everything. It also helps if the tiller is long enough so you can hold it in position with your backside whilst winching.

I don't have self-tailing winches [yet!] so it is a bit more complicated but I do have jamming cleats which help.

Sailing single-handed is no problem - it's getting in and out of marina berths that gives me the willies!
 
No autohelm, nor long keel (bilge), nor self-tailers, but I have the idea, thank you all, and I can put the motor on and have managed the swinging buoy. Incidentally, I saw two ladies with a pole through a cork(?) with the underside of the pole tied to the pick-up buoy. They just sailed up to the pole (no boat hook) and lifted the pole and pick-up buoy. Was I impressed with that!
 
I think I have a similar boat to you, I have not had any problems handling the sheets while tacking, must admit I haven't really thought about it but I think I must be steering with my bum then! She doesn't need the Genoa to bring the bows through the wind but letting sheets fly can cause entanglement with the lower shrouds.
 
You've pretty well been given the general gen. Now go for a sail & send SWMBO below, or have her taking pictures while you try a few tacks on your own. You'll soon get the best technique for you & your boat sorted & SWMBO will have confidence that you will (eventually) come back if you go out solo.
 
Just to emphasise the advice to tack slowly - you don't have to have a long keeler to do this (though it helps!) - just ease the tiller over gently and not too far. With a bit of practice you should have plenty of time to let the genoa out as soon as it starts to flap and haul it in on the other side before the full weight of the wind gets into it. (Nice an' easy, inna cruisin' stylee!) Who needs winches?
 
Exactly as Searush says, go out in benign conditions and practice. You should have no problems managing a 28footer solo.

You'll soon get the hang of it!
 
I sail single handed, and tacking isnt a problem, mooring in a strange marina is the biggest problem,
knowing my long keeled boat only reverses in one direction, I should always ask for a starboard to, and for an easy berth as I am single handed, unfortunately I didnt ask on Saturday, and my boat paid the consequences!
Every other marina Ive asked has been more than happy to assist, so dont be afraid to tell them you are single handed.
 
I guess what I meant was it reverses great in one direction, but its a real struggle in the other, (and mooring starboard to is probably because I am right handed) /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Unlike a Twister that “goeth where it listeth” . /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

That's simple then, just make it list the way you wish to turn. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
the answer to the meaning of life and to sailing is the same - autohelm. with that gadget tacking the boat, you can spend your time handling the genoa.

in fact I'd go so far as to say that single handing without autohelm is potentially dangerous. you're chained to the tiller / wheel. no food, no drink, no pee, no chartwork - or at least all these things are much more difficult.
 
[ QUOTE ]
in fact I'd go so far as to say that single handing without autohelm is potentially dangerous. you're chained to the tiller / wheel. no food, no drink, no pee, no chartwork - or at least all these things are much more difficult.

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Not difficult at all, or dangerous. Simply heave to on the starboard tack and go below to do what you have to.
 
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