Judders
Well-Known Member
I've installed the autohelm and am thinking that the bank holiday might well be the time that I take to the water alone for the first time. Apart from a good plan for getting alongside, what do I need to bare in mind?
Single Handing
- Thread starter Judders
- Start date
jhr
Well-Known Member
Have a plan for what you'd do if you went overboard. On a Bank Holiday in the Solent, I guess someone is likely to see you /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif but maybe equip yourself with a set of mini flares and a waterproof handheld VHF, if you have one?
Shanty
Well-Known Member
Singlehanded you need a good plan for everything - with escape routes. If possible, build in hold points - points at which you can pause to assess the situation / sort out problems.
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
Have a plan so you CAN'T fall overboard.
Use a harness and always clip on.
Use a harness and always clip on.
sarabande
Well-Known Member
"what do I need to bare in mind? "
I'd keep your mind well and truly covered to avoid frightening the sea horses.
I'd keep your mind well and truly covered to avoid frightening the sea horses.
Athene V30
Well-Known Member
Think ahead and have fun. Always have a 'how do I get out of this' in mind!
It can't be that difficult - most of my sailing is singlehanded!!
It can't be that difficult - most of my sailing is singlehanded!!
Shanty
Well-Known Member
If you go overboard when singlehanded, you will probably die. Flares / vhf / PLB may reduce that probability slightly if you sail in well populated waters.
The best line of defence is to avoid going overboard in the first place. Fit good jackstays / anchorage points and use a harness. Think through every activity that takes you out of the cockpit on deck.
The best line of defence is to avoid going overboard in the first place. Fit good jackstays / anchorage points and use a harness. Think through every activity that takes you out of the cockpit on deck.
Pye_End
Well-Known Member
The start and end are the hardest bits. Think carefully about mooring up, and have plenty of spare line/fenders just in case you end up mooring to std instead of port etc. A line from amidships is invaluable.
When under way just remember that when you are occupied putting sails up / navigating / making tea etc. that nobody is looking where you are going! Seems obvious, but after a while you may find out what I mean!
When under way just remember that when you are occupied putting sails up / navigating / making tea etc. that nobody is looking where you are going! Seems obvious, but after a while you may find out what I mean!
PeteCooper
Well-Known Member
Make sure that simple tasks like reefing can be done easily. If it is a roller Genoa then obviously that's dead easy, but what about the main? Unless you have single line reefing you will need to go forward to hook the cringle on the reefing horn and if the halyard is in the cockpit this is a pain. That is why my main halyard and topping lift are now at the mast. Usually reefing pennants are led forward along the boom as well so if you are at the mast to do the halyard and cringle it all becomes much simpler.
Another 'tricky' part of single handing is mooring or leaving a mooring. Methods differ, but if you work out how to do it before you try then it will be much easier - as several people have said plan ahead for each action that needs to be done, and consider what to do if things go wrong.
Another 'tricky' part of single handing is mooring or leaving a mooring. Methods differ, but if you work out how to do it before you try then it will be much easier - as several people have said plan ahead for each action that needs to be done, and consider what to do if things go wrong.
awol
Well-Known Member
Never forget the unerring ability of:
<ul type="square"> [*]Ropes to tie themselves in Gordian knots when you're not looking [*]autopilots to steer straight towards any available navigation mark [*]kettle to boil / radio call / mobile phone to ring / etc. just when things are getting busy [*]and your bladder to demand release at the most inappropriate moment [/list]
<ul type="square"> [*]Ropes to tie themselves in Gordian knots when you're not looking [*]autopilots to steer straight towards any available navigation mark [*]kettle to boil / radio call / mobile phone to ring / etc. just when things are getting busy [*]and your bladder to demand release at the most inappropriate moment [/list]
Poignard
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Have a plan for what you'd do if you went overboard. On a Bank Holiday in the Solent, I guess someone is likely to see you
[/ QUOTE ]
Bank Holiday in the Solent? You would have difficulty finding a stretch of water large enough to fall into /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Have a plan for what you'd do if you went overboard. On a Bank Holiday in the Solent, I guess someone is likely to see you
[/ QUOTE ]
Bank Holiday in the Solent? You would have difficulty finding a stretch of water large enough to fall into /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
bilbobaggins
N/A
Plan ahead to minimise the requirement to spend time below. i.e. Pre-filled vacuum flask, pre-made sandwiches/box of biscuits/nibblies, warm fleece, jacket, hat, gloves all to hand, pilotage info pre-planned and usable from cockpit, cockpit bucket, etc.
Go 'slow but certain' and enjoi.
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Go 'slow but certain' and enjoi.
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
I can identify with all of those /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
His biggest hurdle will be to work up the bottle to go below and have a dump without trying to pop his head out of a hatch for a quick squint around, or to rush back up on deck with his trousers around his ankles /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
His biggest hurdle will be to work up the bottle to go below and have a dump without trying to pop his head out of a hatch for a quick squint around, or to rush back up on deck with his trousers around his ankles /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
cnh
Well-Known Member
Routine for going into harbour: go in, stop, tie two fenders either side, two lines at the bow leading clear of everything and back into the cockpit, two stern lines. That way you can tie on either side without having to make frantic dashes with last minute change of mind. If you have a centre cleat, use that first, but you may need more fenders. Then look for an empty space.
Athene V30
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I can identify with all of those /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
His biggest hurdle will be to work up the bottle to go below and have a dump without trying to pop his head out of a hatch for a quick squint around, or to rush back up on deck with his trousers around his ankles /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
A friend had to do this and the catch on the outside of the heads door fell and locked him in!! Nothing he could do other than force the lock and have to repair it later. We all sympathised when he told us /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif NOT
I can identify with all of those /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
His biggest hurdle will be to work up the bottle to go below and have a dump without trying to pop his head out of a hatch for a quick squint around, or to rush back up on deck with his trousers around his ankles /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
A friend had to do this and the catch on the outside of the heads door fell and locked him in!! Nothing he could do other than force the lock and have to repair it later. We all sympathised when he told us /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif NOT
peterb
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Have a plan so you CAN'T fall overboard.
Use a harness and always clip on.
[/ QUOTE ]
Better still, get a 3-hook harness. Middle hook to you, long line to the jackstay, short line round the mast and back to you. Gives you an extra hand when working near the mast.
Have a plan so you CAN'T fall overboard.
Use a harness and always clip on.
[/ QUOTE ]
Better still, get a 3-hook harness. Middle hook to you, long line to the jackstay, short line round the mast and back to you. Gives you an extra hand when working near the mast.
onenyala
Well-Known Member
Always bear in mind that by heaving to all needs can be accomplished.
David_Jersey
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I've installed the autohelm and am thinking that the bank holiday might well be the time that I take to the water alone for the first time. Apart from a good plan for getting alongside, what do I need to bare in mind?
[/ QUOTE ]
When returning to berth / dock give yourself plenty of time / searoom to prepare.....especially until you have developed your own singlehanded routine.....which basically involves making as few trips around the boat as possible /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Bank Holiday? Take an Umbrella /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I've installed the autohelm and am thinking that the bank holiday might well be the time that I take to the water alone for the first time. Apart from a good plan for getting alongside, what do I need to bare in mind?
[/ QUOTE ]
When returning to berth / dock give yourself plenty of time / searoom to prepare.....especially until you have developed your own singlehanded routine.....which basically involves making as few trips around the boat as possible /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Bank Holiday? Take an Umbrella /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
fireball
Well-Known Member
Take a deep breath and enjoy it!! I don't single hand often - but it is nice just having the boat to talk to ...
Preprep some food/drink if you're gonna be out for some time - nothing worse than a boiling kettle at the same time as needing to tack and cancel the DSC alarm ... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif (turn the VHF off and just use a HH?)
If you're coming into a marina then don't be afraid to ask for help in berthing - wave a couple of tins around and most ppl will give a hand! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Preprep some food/drink if you're gonna be out for some time - nothing worse than a boiling kettle at the same time as needing to tack and cancel the DSC alarm ... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif (turn the VHF off and just use a HH?)
If you're coming into a marina then don't be afraid to ask for help in berthing - wave a couple of tins around and most ppl will give a hand! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
gardenshed
Well-Known Member
Do as much as possible before leaving the dock, i.e remove sail covers, get everything properly stowed, switch on and check all instruments, input all relevant waypoints.
Likewise, when coming back into your berth, clear the decks so that you can easily reach everything needed for berthing (tidy and secure) but don't spend time on things that can be done after you tie up.
Like a first-solo in a plane, the adrenaline and heightened anxiety mean that you'll probably get it right, its the later trips when you get a bit lazy or sloppy that you really have to worry about.
Likewise, when coming back into your berth, clear the decks so that you can easily reach everything needed for berthing (tidy and secure) but don't spend time on things that can be done after you tie up.
Like a first-solo in a plane, the adrenaline and heightened anxiety mean that you'll probably get it right, its the later trips when you get a bit lazy or sloppy that you really have to worry about.
