Single handed

[Kittycarter]

I am thinking of heading from Chichester to Bembridge tomorrow, but all my crew are busy so is going alone a good idea??

I have been thought the locks and anchored alone without a problem, but wondered and getting the fenders tied up when getting there etc??

Any advice or ideas would be appreciated.

Sean

 

[superheat6k]

Go for it.

Rig your lines fwd and aft both sides led back to the cockpit with the ends secure, so they can't fall in and foul a prop.

Stop or slow right down a few hundred yards off to attach the fenders.

Oh yes wear a lifejacket.

Try to select a berth with wind on to make the mooring easier, and ask for help if anyone is around.

 

[prv]

Well, lots of us singlehand sailing boats, so it must be easy for those who just motor everywhere

Try it, will be easier than you think.

Pete

 

[oceanfroggie]

I am thinking of heading from Chichester to Bembridge tomorrow, but all my crew are busy so is going alone a good idea??

I have been thought the locks and anchored alone without a problem, but wondered and getting the fenders tied up when getting there etc??

Any advice or ideas would be appreciated.

Sean

The key to single handing is "preparation". Get everything on deck stowed before leaving shelter so you don't have to go on deck alone out a lumpy sea (ie lines, fenders, secure tender, etc). On arrival don't drop fenders until inside the shelter of a breakwater or harbour, then you have plenty of time to attach mooring lines to cleats and set fenders before berthing. Have a look at wind, tide to plan berthing. Set up helm so you don't have to leave it, except odd quick visit below when on auto helm (ie if poss have refreshments at helm). Have a good passage plan sketched out on paper with radio ch and phone nos for destination services in advance (eg fuel, marina, etc). Get good weather info, and have a weather backup plan (ie alternate ports info pre evaluated in the event you decide to divert on route).

 

[Jurgen]

Just enjoyed an overnighter from Brixham to Dartmouth.
The pleasure in single handed motoring is fantastic, much easier than you think as long as you get your ducks in a row before you set off.
Coming onto a pontoon is pretty straight forward, when I arrived in Dartmouth the tide was coming in so decided to ferry glide the boat onto the pontoon with the tide behind me.
When alongside I kept the boat in astern to hold position while I stepped onto the pontoon to secure line.
When I left this morning the tide was going out the the flow on the bow so sprung of the stern line while I released the other lines then just slipped the stern.
Great fun and a real sense of achievement.
Enjoy

 

[FalconSteve]

I've juggled my forward fender positions so that as I leave my berth I stow the fenders on the side decks pulled out flat as far aft as they will reach and lie flat, I can then just reach the bottome end of each with an extended boat hook and heave them back into the berthing position whilst I remain safe and sound in the cockpit. My boat is 27', if yours is bigger then you may not be able to achieve this, but worth a thought.

As others have said previously, you will enjoy it and get a great sense of achievement going it alone, and as a bonus you get to choose the music, and the volume level . All you need is some forethought and a backup plan in case it bites you in the rear.

Remember not to go on the foredeck with the engines in gear ( preferably turned off ). I always lower the bathing platform ladder just in case I fall in!

Enjoy your trip

 

[Kittycarter]

Thanks everyone.

Well I did it. I even had a boat in tow that hadn't ever been somewhere other than their home berth. Was great having two boats in a convoy and the day was perfect, blue sky, flat sea and warm.

 

[TeamSpirit]

Well done
When I'm out singlehanded (nearly always) just pull fenders up onto deck so I can quickly deploy them with a kick when coming in doesn't look great but does the job.