single handed

[broadbent]

I'm now nearly 60, and having just retired, I am thinking about buying a Cornish Crabber. However the last time I did any serious sailing was about 25 years ago, so I am hoping to get some advice about sailing her single handed.

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[tome]

Hi Broadbent

The Crabber is a lovely boat which combines traditional and new. It wouldn't be my first choice for single-handed sailing, but I've seen sailors manage them on their own. I don't wish to be rude about your choice if that's what you want, but have you looked at any other boats with a simpler sail-plan and rig?

Good luck whatever you go for, and best wishes for your retirement!

Tom

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[broadbent]

Firstly, the boat is on offer.
Secondly I grew up with Swallows and Amazons, and traditional boats appeal.
Thirdly I feel it is more stable than the newer lighter Bermudan rigs.

BUT, I have no experience of gaf rigged boats except those I sailed as a teenager on the Norfolk Broads

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[Mirelle]

I don't think you will have any trouble; I do know someone rather older than you who singlehands a Crabber. Be warned that they are quite light boats and respond relatively quickly.

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[ParaHandy]

Re: all relative ... !

if used to handling the weight of your own boat ... !!

they look to be lovely boats but which crabber is it? the 24 weighs 3 tonnes, I think.


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[snowleopard]

don't be scared of the rig, there aren't that many extra ropes and you soon get the hang of them. on a boat that size you can hoist both main halliards simultaneously. i started singlehanding on a 25ft gaff cutter. the limitations of a bermudian rig came as a shock when i changed back!

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[Romeo]

Congratulations on your retirement. I am sure that you have earned the right to spend masses of time on the boat, especially on sunny weekdays. Still, I am jealous.

I have never sailed a crabber, but have sailed the shrimper on a couple of occassions. My own boat is similar rig and length to a shrimper, but with lower freeboard and leavier displacement.

I don't think you will have any problems handling a crabber singlehanded. In some ways the sail handling is easier with the high peaked gaff rig. I find that I get control of a lowered sail much quicker than my bermudan chums because the weight of the gaff brings it down quickly in a controlled way and a single tie bundles the whole sail up in an instant. Lazy jacks probably make it quicker still.

Does the crabber have a topsail? If so you might want to think carefully about setting it when out on your own as it must be harder to get the thing down without someone minding the helm.

When you get the boat, experiment with the best way to heave to. This is your secret to contolled sailing. If I am out on my own I often heave to for a short while after I have raised the sails in order to tidy everything up and ensure that all sails can be lowered again in a hurry if necessary.

The easy part of single handed is the sailing. The hard part is getting in and out of the harbour. Depends where you are going to keep her of course but you want to think carefully about setting up your moorings in such a way that you can pick them up while remaining at the helm. The relatively low freeboard of the crabber range is again an advantage in this respect.

Finally don't shun company. Find others who are going out at the same times as you, as you will want plenty of peole to be admiring your boat under sail and your ability to control her. If you are happy to sail single handed you can enjoy asking a broad range of people to sail with you, without needing to worry about their ability.

Happy sailing

Robbie



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[Sergeant_Pepper]

I wholeheartedly agree with your comments about heaving to - and I must admit I wish I'd also chosen a Crabber; such pretty little boats.

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[PeterGibbs]

I do a fair amount of SH myself and have offer the following approach, developed over the years:

1. The first rule is not to over-stretch yourself; if the weather is poor or is likely to become so it is not prudent to be at sea; depending on the seaworthiness of the boat, F4-5 on the nose is the practical limit for all but Corinthians. This applies to night sailing which is very pleasurable; for most people 24 hours awake is the absolute maximum - hallucinations and worse set in after that, and the SH sailor becomes a menace to himself and others. Long distance racing sailors who live on catnaps are a class unto themselves - it's not for the mature sailor.

2. You must have a means of automatic steering so as to attend to other matters without the boat loosing direction and risking an involuntary gibe etc. Coming alongside and furling the sails etc is so much easier with a steady mechanical hand on the tiller.

3. Preparation is of the essence: the SH sailor thinks ahead with lines in place, fenders set at currect heights and ready to turf over the rail, calling marinas well in advance from open waters etc. Only this way can the SH sailor concentrate on navigation and boat handling knowing what to do when and if matters get out of hand, as they cometimes do.

I commend SH to you - good luck, it is great fun.

PS if you are at sea for any time, have a portable radio to hand with earphones - you can listen to entertaining programmes to help maintain concentration and wakefullness. And you will not miss the weather forecast quite so easily!

Peter Gibbs

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[johnsomerhausen]

Re: all relative ... !

Some very good advice in the previous posts, but the most important one is missing: WEAR A HARNESS AT ALL TIMES ! There's nobody on board to pick you up.... I wouldn't excluide night sailing per se; it's sometimes much easier top leave a harbour in the afternoon, spend the night at sea and arrive at the new harbour the next morning. If you feel tired and have an autopilot, jusyt lying down for half an hour (which a kitchen timer in a pocket) ill give you some rest, even if you don't fall asleep.
FYI, I'm getting on to 77 and have just come back single handed on a 29 footer from Bermuda to the US last June and wish I were as young as you are...
john

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