Single handing .... advice

[bedouin]

As one who occasionally single-hands the part I now find most difficult is the pilotage at the destination. Even approaching by home port (Portsmouth) after 12-14 hours slogging across the channel can seem very tricky, and approaching an unfamiliar port at night is infinitely worse.

Although I haven't done this yet, I think some way of keeping the chart in the cockpit with you is extremely useful, either an electronic chart plotter or a waterproof case for a paper chart.

Well prepared pilotage notes are very important but even they are no substitute for frequent checks on the chart to make sure all lights and landmarks are in the right place.

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[sailorman]

east coasters can do it singlehanded

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[beneteau_305_553]

I suggest the Furuno 1623

2.2 kW transmitter
Guard watch
Power save mode (8W)
really good performance IMHO
£949 from Cactus Nav

<hr width=100% size=1>Richard

 

[wooslehunter]

When I've posted and got loads of ideas, it's good to look at what comes up again and again. There's loads of good advice already. I don't think I have anything new but here's a vote for some of the ones that I use.

1. Try everything you're not sure for the first time with a crew on board. They can help if things go pear shaped.

2. Prepare everything in good time.

3. Take everything slowly.

3. The key to mooring alongside is the midships line. I use a line form a midships cleat to a winch. The winch is just in a handy position but could be used to pull in the line if required but I've never felt the need. Just throw the loop over a pontoon cleat and the hard work is done. I can do this from the cockpit.

4. Keep trying. It took me quite a few attemps to pick up my swinging mooring the first time I tried it in a force 6-7.

5. If something can go wrong, it will. If you have a plan prepared before hand, then you're most of the way to dealing with the problem.

Good luck,

Dave

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[Mirelle]

I have an answer to that one

This gadget was recommended to me by a very experienced singlehander, who said it had been common amongst singlehanders before WW1.

I fitted it in a morning and it has been a good friend ever since.

Take a sheet of ply able to accomodate a half admiralty chart (21" x 28") and fit it on runners under the coachroof so that it slides out under your companionway hatch.

Add one sheet of reasonably thick clear plastic eg Perspex, loose on top of it. Place pilotage chart (the UKHO have helped no end with their yottifolios!) under plastic sheet, place crayon, ruler, handheld GPS, whatever, on top of that. Add chart light.

You have now made your last, ever, panicky visit to the chart table.

QED

This is a Really Useful Gadget!

<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?

 

[wpsalm]

only single handers are permitted to sit in the companionway...

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[BlueSkyNick]

"....do everything very very slowly. "
I don't entirely agree with this. The first time I tried to come alongside our home berth single handed, it was F5/6 on the nose. I decided to take it very slowly, and ended up getting blown right off and having to motor away and come back round again.

"Judge the tidal stream and normally more important work out what the wind is doing to you. The wind blowing you onto some boat or obstical is what catches most people out......."
This I do agree with fully. When the wind or tide is likely to push you around, its necessary to think it through and be bold in the approach, using more power than normal, both forward and astern as necessary, to get at least the midships line on as soon as possible.

<hr width=100% size=1>Great News - The evenings are now drawing out!

 

[Becky]

I single-hand more often than not. I must admit that the first few times I came back to my berth, everyone (male) within shouting distance used to rush up to guide me in; very kind except that in their opinion they were protecting their property from me. Like has already been said, slowly is best UNLESS it is windy. Then use your engine. I found that practising getting into and out of my berth was a good way to get the feel of the boat without assistance. Also, if it is windy, put out lots of fenders, and use them. I regularly rest Solitaire against my neighbour's boat (having placed extra fenders on that side as with westerly winds I will blow onto him) while I step onto the pontoon via his boat. I have never scratched anything; believe me there are plenty of guys just waiting to see me make a mess up! I will admit that it looks pretty cool to come in unaided without making any mistakes. Finally, as has been mentioned, you will prefer to berth unassisted where ever you go, so-called helpers are the main cause of mess-ups. Enjoy it, regards Becky

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[kidnapped]

Re: I have an answer to that one

I've also installed one of these Mirelle .... found it keeps dry and you're not so worried where the'liquid refreshment' is put!
Routinely, in spite of having a chartplotter [brilliant gadget], I record position on chart [under plastic cover] and keep log of position, speed etc. My radar superimposes its reading on chartplotter, you can see bouys etc sticking out of radar 'hits' ... you then just need to worry about the others.
Thanks to you all for advice and encouragement .... I'll definitely give it a go this season. If you see a Najad, with green stripes, it could be me, all on my lonesome .... you could always call me up for a chat.

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[tome]

Alternative suggestion

I have a Yeoman plotter which plugs into a socket under the sprayhood, this arrangement would work well on the Najad with its fixed windscreen. The plotter has a pvc envelope which takes a portfolio chart. It is linked to the GPS and yet uses a paper chart - the best compromise IMHO. If it fails, I can still see my marked positions and continue using traditional methods.

Single handed sailing is fun and I agree with the advice about the centre cleat when coming alongside - I use this every time. Not sure how I'd manage on the 'orrible French pontoons like Cherbourg where there isn't a centre cleat and you need to pass a line round a D hoop at the end of the spindly finger.

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[Guest]

One of the best things to sort is the setting of 'first lines' when coming alongside ..... A line set from just forward of midships through a fairlead back to a cleat near cockpit.

Have the shore end with an eye laid handy to you ...... come to the pontoon and pass eye over shore cleat. let the boat come to the line having made fast inboard end suitably. Being just fowrad of midships.... put the helm over hard to lay alongside with engine just plodding forward. Now you can set other lines with reasonable freedom.

Its like a reverse of letting go really .... worrying when first done, but once done - falls into place.


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I came - cos they said was FREE Guinness !
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[rickwat]

I don't know if I'm stating the obvious but try and get into new destinations around high water. Much is made of wind but tidal drift can be the hidden ememy - the surface can be almost as smooth as glass in a marina. A 1/2 mph drift on the beam will shift you 44ft/min sideways. Do all you can to assess this and don't assume the stated HW time will mean static water - but these are challenges not problems - best of luck.

Rick

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[Gunfleet]

Re: Alternative suggestion

Tom, re the D rings. From most chandlers you can get a sort of snap caribinier of stainless with a slotted device which connects it temporarily to a wooden pole. You attach a line to that and to your midships cleat, motor onto the pontoon and snap it over the d ring. Then you step off the boat and do your other lines. If anything it's easier.

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[Gunfleet]

Re: Alternative suggestion

Tom, re the D rings. From most chandlers you can get a sort of snap caribinier of stainless with a slotted device which connects it temporarily to a wooden pole. You attach a line to that and to your midships cleat, motor onto the pontoon and snap it over the d ring. Then you step off the boat and do your other lines. If anything it's easier.

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[john_morris_uk]

Thats why the bit 'as fast as you have to' is in there...

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[Robin]

Re: Alternative suggestion

As long as the snap hook has a big enough opening gate, most do not although I have seen special big ones in France, some with gates that open slightly sideways to clear the gap better. The other problem with short (especially French) pontoons is that the boat's centre cleat/line can still be father out than the pontoon end and not therefore usable as a line to power on.

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[extravert]

Having only a toy boat, I use a very unseamanlike method for single handed arrivals and departures from my pontoon berth, which is on the downwind side of the prevailing wind for added fun. I installed one of those pontoon fenders in line with the stem of the hull on the pontoon. Coming in I motor straight into it deliberately, and then with the engine still running put the tiller hard over towards the pontoon to keep the stern in. I use the same method departing as well.

This of course only works at my home berth where the appropriate fender is installed, but that's where most of my single handed arrivals and departures take place. I'm sure this haphazard seamanship would make Royal Yacht Club Commodores splutter into their pink gins, but its simple and foolproof, and seems to work.


<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I hope to own a real boat.

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: Alternative suggestion

Hi Robin
Everything you write is correct but I would say *the* problem with French pontoons is thaat when you step on them you are as likely or not to find the oggin splashing around your ankles. They are decorative pontoons and not for large Englishmen to stand on!

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[Robin]

Re: Alternative suggestion

As a very large Englishman I have to agree! The French pontoons though have improved from what they used to be, Cherbourg's original marina and Perros Guirec were two that come to mind for some spectacular springboard diving exhibitions.

We sail 2 up all the time so approach with fenders & lines both sides, the centre cleats (41ft boat) are initially treated as if they are the stern lines since the real ones are way too far back. Priority then is to find the ideal vacant berth, ie:-

One with a boat the other side of the finger (it's lines will steady the finger)
Port side to preferred, into the wind preferred.
One where any wind helps blow on to the finger rather than off
One with plenty of room for our 13' beam
One with empty power socket within range

The above is a very rare bird indeed and harbourmasters always seem to allocate us a stbd side to downwind berth into a narrow gap and needing to turn in at 90 degs in a very confined space against the prop kick! We are lucky though that our boat handles very well ahead and astern so there is usually some way of achieving the objective.

In practice, SWMBO steps (she refuses to jump, step implies <12" gap) ashore with the bow and centre cleat lines, both of which are fed through the end finger ring/cleat so that the bow line acts as a spring initially. She then goes forward and holds (note that hold does not mean any pushing/pulling in her dictionary) the bow whilst the rest is sorted out. Our home berth is easier, the finger is as long as the boat and is wide with a pile at the outer end (no springboard effect), we can therefore use the centre cleat line properly as a spring and use just that line plus engine on tickover ahead whilst our regular warps are put on at leisure.

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[jimi]

Re: Alternative suggestion

Exactly how large are you. We need some sort of measure here.Weight and height are not good enough I feel the displacement method is the only true measure .. which of course the pontoons at Chatereyne are perfectly designed to help compute!

<hr width=100% size=1>.. when's that again, but ..