Single Handing

IMG_4174.jpgI hope you gave single handing a try, let us know how you got on.
Single handing really is a fantastic way to sail and there is very little a crewed boat can do that you can't (within reason obviously). One of the most satisfying and soul enriching experiences has got to be a good overnight passage, especially during summer when you can watch the sun go down and rise again within the space of a few hours.
It is a daunting prospect at first but you'll soon settle down into your own routine. As others have said, don't allow yourself to become complacent though.

A word on tiller pilots : Don't neglect your sail trim ! It is all to easy to set your sails and point the boat in the direction you want to go whilst neglecting your sail trim. I like to disconnect the tiller pilot occassionally and "feel" how the boat is behaving as well as keeping a constant eye on trim.

I'd say the most useful equipment would include; Tiller Pilot, Hand Held VHF, powered windlass (preferably controlable from the cockpit), lines led back to the cockpit and decent binoculars (to go with a decent Pilot).
 
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Judders said:
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?
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I single hand a lot and I'm relatively inexperienced so I'm perhaps over cautious in some regards and probably undercautious through ignorance in others. This is what I do.

  • Clip on whenever leaving the cockpit, or even in the cockpit if things get rough, if you fall overboard your chances are not good and your boat will merrily sail away under autopilot untill it hits something.
  • Always wear a lifejacket and make sure it has a loud whistle
  • Make sure someone knows you're out there, ideally knowing your plan and expecting contact from you.
  • Sail cautiously - Leave plenty of room to manoeuvre because manoeuvres can go wrong taking you where you don't want to go, and they can take longer to complete.
  • Sail cautiously - Avoid close encounters with other boats because they may not realise you are single handed and need more space to manoeuvre, potentially putting you in an uncomfortable (or worse) position.
  • Sail cautiously - The harder you drive the boat the more things you have to do to keep her under control and the faster things happen so the more likely something could go wrong too quickly for you to deal with safely. You have to share your attention around everything, if you focus too long on one thing such as sail trim you could end up losing track of where you are or you could end up in a collision situation for example. Drive her gently and steadily, even if it's slower than you are used to it will be safer and you will arrive without being totally exhausted.
  • Prepare before you depart - have charts on the right page, food and drink ready and anything else you might need all available within easy and quick reach.
  • Have a plotter or something on and tracking on a wide zoom so at a quick glance you can confirm that you are where you think you are without having to mess with it, I find the extra reassurance this gives is very helpful for an enjoyable sail, especially in areas you are not entirely familiar.
  • Research and understand exactly what to expect at your destination to minimise nasty surprises.
  • Rig lines and fenders early where there is plenty of room, usually I'll do them with the auto helm steering, otherwsie find an empty space and drift while doing them. Alternatively pick up a vacant swinging mooring for a couple of minutes while you rig them.
  • Have binoculars handy, they can help you make decisions in advance and from a distance.
  • Have a boarding ladder rigged so you can climb back aboard if you fall in and the boat rounds up or you are stopped such as when picking up a mooring.
  • Have a flask of hot drink made up ready - I learned this the hard way getting very cold recently.

You'll quickly start to develop ways and techniques of doing things that make things easier or more efficient, the more you develop and trust these techniques the less cautious you need to be and the harder you can sail safely. I'm still very cautious and slow, but I don't have the sailing experience you have.

You'll do fine :)
 
maej said:
You'll quickly start to develop ways and techniques of doing things that make things easier or more efficient, the more you develop and trust these techniques the less cautious you need to be and the harder you can sail safely. I'm still very cautious and slow, but I don't have the sailing experience you have.

You'll do fine :)
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Let's hope he did fine: Judders asked the question nearly five years ago. He's still occasionally posting, so the odds are good.
But, as one single-hander to another: good advice.
 
pvb said:
Another reply to a 5 year old post! WTF?
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There are others who might be asking the same question 5 years later. Not everyone is an expert

The odd tip is still of use to some who are just starting out & there are one or two relevant ones in this post that may apply to a few who have been sailing for years

So i think your " WTF" may be a little mis directed
 
Daydream believer said:
There are others who might be asking the same question 5 years later. Not everyone is an expert

The odd tip is still of use to some who are just starting out & there are one or two relevant ones in this post that may apply to a few who have been sailing for years

So i think your " WTF" may be a little mis directed
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I can't see that "what's that for" is misdirected at all, I simply can't see the point of replying specifically to something someone posted 5 years ago.
 
Aeolus said:
GJW - the original policy restricted single-handed to daylight hours but on request they extended it to cover overnight, albeit with an increased excess.
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+1. On renewing last week with GJW, I noted the 'Endorsement 11: 1 person during daylight hours only' (means they cover me single-handed but only under daylight) and gave them a call. What when I move the boat say around the Solent after dark, I asked. They asked about furling kit etc; I answered; and they proposed the same premium, double the excess in the event of a claim if I'm single-handed after dark. Fine.

Just call your insurer and ask them. I think if you demonstrate competence they'll be very accommodating.
 
BelleSerene said:
+1. On renewing last week with GJW, I noted the 'Endorsement 11: 1 person during daylight hours only' (means they cover me single-handed but only under daylight) and gave them a call. What when I move the boat say around the Solent after dark, I asked. They asked about furling kit etc; I answered; and they proposed the same premium, double the excess in the event of a claim if I'm single-handed after dark. Fine.

Just call your insurer and ask them. I think if you demonstrate competence they'll be very accommodating.
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My GJW is also for night sailing
Oddly enough it also includes an area right up to N Spain , which includes Biscay SH which is useful
I think it is because they took over an old policy when they bought the broker
 
I usually go to the next thread if I come across something not to my liking. I happened to find the thread mildly interesting, despite it's "age".
Please do share some of your huge experience with us all, so as to prevent any future recurrence of old threads being commented upon and upsetting you.
 
Judders said:
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?
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Prepare everything well in advance.
Take things slowly.
Know how to heave to with your boat.
Act, don't react.
Think things out before doing them and reflect on where things might go wrong.
Practise.
Get into a way of doing things safely by habit.


OOPS I didn't even read the preceding posts...
 
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