singlehanding - and courage

[snowleopard]

As above. It's all in the mind and in the planning. Think ahead, what I call a state of healthy paranoia, so when plan 'A' fails, you have have plans B,C and D. Have what you need in the cockpit to start with.

That's the key to close-quarters manoeuvring singlehanded. Think it through in advance, get any necessary ropes & fenders ready. Know how long it will take you to drop the sails and don't leave it until you daren't leave the helm for long enough.

Out at sea you have time to work things out. I lost my steering 800 miles out in the OSTAR and spent half a day figuring out what to do next because I had enough sea room. OTOH I nearly wrecked my boat first time out through assuming things would go right as I approached land - Plan A was to motor in - the engine wouldn't start, Plan B was to sail in - I missed stays with a lee shore too close. Plan C was to anchor - the warp was tangled. Plan D - put out the kedge: that worked, phew.

 

[SvenH]

I've done a lot of soloing, including docking in locks and marina berths.

I think that there are two essentials in soloing and self steering is not one of them. They are practice and mid-ships cleats.

The practice is so you know what to do and how the boat will react when you are maneuvering.

When docking I have mooring lines with loops guided through the midship cleats on either side of the boat, ready to go around the poles that mark the berth. The other ends go around the winches once.

When approaching the berth, stop the boat with the cleats next to the mooring poles, put the gear in neutral, then quickly throw the loops around the poles, windward side first.

Tighten the lines over the winches and engage forward gear. As soon as the lines are tight you have full control over the boat.

The stronger the sideways push from wind (or maybe tide, no experience there), the more power you need.
Let the lines slip bit by bit, approach the dock. Fasten the lines if you need to go to the bow. Steer the boat with prop wash over the rudder as an aid.

Tighten the bow lines, then but gear in neutral and move the rear lines from midships to stern.

I've used this in several situations, on my own at night or in full daylight with a pub crowd watching one berth away, with force 5 from behind in an unfamiliar marina in a 12 meter long berth with a 9 meter boat.

This works in just about every situation except "finger berths" (is that what you call them?)

I often do not use fenders as they tend to prevent me from entering berths.
Because I have virtually no speed, neighboring boat's fenders are enough.

 

[Neddie_Seagoon]

Thanks but SWMBO admirably fills that role and has done for 20 years. No, its a mental hurdle rather than a practical one. Lets face it - I'm a wimp!

If you prefer being in company it may not work for you, you won't enjoy it as much. Personally I like being alone, just enjoying operating the boat, trimming, tweaking, pottering without having to interact with someone else. Technically it's no problem, plan ahead, act in advance, decent autopilot, reliable motor, a good flask & a working handheld. I am happy sailing single-handed, I can relax and get on with it with no one else to worry about. Perversely I don't much enjoy motorboating solo, a bit boring, not enough to do!

 

[Vern]

I wasn't going to tell you lot this, for fear of being thought stupid and reckless, but here goes anyhow.

I spent all Easter on my little 22 ft Kestrel in Weymouth Marina, except for Good Friday when an experienced friend took me out on my boat. I have had her for 1 month and never sailed before.
The sea was flat and there was no wind on Friday, we pottered about maybe half a mile or so out of Weymouth. I watched the sail go up, even helped but the lack of wind meant we didn't move far, it was all relaxed and pleasant.

Yesterday, I decided to do it on my own.
The conditions were different, more of a breeze, with a lot more activity once out of the harbour. So much so, I could hardly stand up at times, and when stood on the cabin, it was all I could do to undo the cover on the mainsail.

The truth is it all seemed terribly different to Friday.
I didn't put the sail up, but kept my position by letting the outboard do the work, I had a terrible fear also that I would run out of fuel if I kept this up, so spent an hour cruising up and down the harbour entrance, keeping the revs and power as low as possible - which did teach me (I think) about the effects of wind and tide on the boat, and how a little more power regains the forward facing position.

At last the bridge lifted and I was through, the last boat as well.
Then disaster.
The engine stopped.
As did my heart.

The boat immediately began to pirouette towards the assembled boats and bridge.......Help.
Luckily I got a rope to a couple sunbathing on their stationary motor cruiser and they pulled me in to a vacant mooring.

I had been as economical with the engine as possible, but it had been working for just over 2 hours, I was about 5 mins from my berth.
Once at sea, the revs were high, which of course is where I thought I would be under sail, not power.
I can't say how grateful I was to the couple who helped and gave them a bottle of plonk, once I got more petrol.

The next thing that was scaring the wits out of me was the single berth I had to get back into, again the wind was making a difference to Friday.
A member of the Marina came and helped as it could have got more messy, my confidence was dented, and possibly still is.

I certainly did not under-estimate the dangers, but somehow once I was out there, it all changed and I couldn't get the brain in gear, which is why I drove around in circles and trying out reversing.

There were hundreds of bods looking on at all the nice boats to boot

Thank goodness for nice folk who recognise a twit in trouble.
Thank you Graham.

I am booking an RYA skipper to take my wife and I out, no more single handed larks from me for a while.
And back up fuel.

 

[VO5]

You have made me roar with laughter not because of your predicament but because of your description of it.

Don't let this put you off.

Before you even let go, have a look at your sails and your rig. Plan in your mind in advance what needs to be done. Then execute it.

Also extra fuel is a must.

Just carry on, and happy sailing.

 

[jonjo]

If I can do it so can you. Our yachts are the same length and cruising area the same. Something substantial must be holding you back as you sound like a more experienced sailor than I. Mooring is the primary source of single handled anxiety but not yours. Hmmm. I cannot put my finger on it and obviously you don't need rookie's advice on fitting out or how to move around the deck safely. All I can do is add inspiration.

My favourite moments single handling were twice catching the start start of the ebb around St Catherines early evening, togging up for a night at sea heading down Channel, then cracking open my single ration of beer and contemplating the sunset plus the challenges of the night ahead.

On a practical note always start fully charged up with sleep and favour a passage plan that involves one night at sea rather than risk of a second.

 

[VO5]

I've done a lot of soloing, including docking in locks and marina berths.

I think that there are two essentials in soloing and self steering is not one of them. They are practice and mid-ships cleats.

The practice is so you know what to do and how the boat will react when you are maneuvering.

When docking I have mooring lines with loops guided through the midship cleats on either side of the boat, ready to go around the poles that mark the berth. The other ends go around the winches once.

When approaching the berth, stop the boat with the cleats next to the mooring poles, put the gear in neutral, then quickly throw the loops around the poles, windward side first.

Tighten the lines over the winches and engage forward gear. As soon as the lines are tight you have full control over the boat.

The stronger the sideways push from wind (or maybe tide, no experience there), the more power you need.
Let the lines slip bit by bit, approach the dock. Fasten the lines if you need to go to the bow. Steer the boat with prop wash over the rudder as an aid.

Tighten the bow lines, then but gear in neutral and move the rear lines from midships to stern.

I've used this in several situations, on my own at night or in full daylight with a pub crowd watching one berth away, with force 5 from behind in an unfamiliar marina in a 12 meter long berth with a 9 meter boat.

This works in just about every situation except "finger berths" (is that what you call them?)

I often do not use fenders as they tend to prevent me from entering berths.
Because I have virtually no speed, neighboring boat's fenders are enough.

I agree.

I will simplify for the benefit of readers here.

When going alongside the most important rope to work (first) is the spring.
First thing "spring ashore".
You now have control of the vessel.

The principle of putting a spring ashore first applies whether it is a Warship, a Tanker, a Tug or a Yacht, whatever the size.

Youy put your spring ashore and then go ahead dead slow on the spring.
The boat is held there and you can now calmly put out your head and stern ropes, and tie up smartly.

 

[Vern]

You have made me roar with laughter not because of your predicament but because of your description of it.

Don't let this put you off.

Before you even let go, have a look at your sails and your rig. Plan in your mind in advance what needs to be done. Then execute it.

Also extra fuel is a must.

Just carry on, and happy sailing.

Thanks, I'm beginning to feel less stressed by the whole event, although dreamt like a good'un last night....

 

[semisimple]

I wasn't going to tell you lot this, for fear of being thought stupid and reckless, but here goes anyhow.

Thank goodness for nice folk who recognise a twit in trouble.
Thank you Graham.

I am booking an RYA skipper to take my wife and I out, no more single handed larks from me for a while.
And back up fuel.

Haaha - very brave, and a bit reckless but no better way to learn than being scared witless...don't give up sailing!

 

[Chrissie]

Hi Vern
sounds like you had a good learning experience, and took it slow which is good. Now you know your fuel limitations, and the parts of solo sailing that are more difficult for you, so you can put all that knowledge to good use for next time. Bit by bit, one step at a time, and dont be so hard on yourself.
Some extra advice, I set up my lines for starboard to, being right handed somehow means I find mooring easier on that side. When I am going into a marina I radio in and explain that I am single handed and require a starboard to berth, no marina has ever minded my request and on the very rare occasions that they cant comply, they have come down to give a hand. Dont be afraid to ask for help or an easy berth, they would rather help you than see you crash into their customers boats. Relax and enjoy.

 

[SvenH]

Well Vern, the first time i went out on my own with my brand new little yacht I ran aground literally minutes after setting sail.... Being blown to shallower water every minute.... Had to call rescue

Learned to read maps in a very thorough way.

 

[chinita]

I agree.

I will simplify for the benefit of readers here.

Thanks; that has made it far clearer for me.

 

[robertj]

You can fall out with yourself if not committed and prepared I find

 

[Neddie_Seagoon]

Hi Vern,

I started sailing by taking RYA competent crew to see how I got on - I have a balance problem and coping with a rocking bucking boat seemed like good exercise. I got on well with the training, it helped my balance, and I thought "if I'm to continue with this I ought to get a boat". So I bought a 27 ft long-keel yacht, and arranged to take it out for the first time with co-student and instructor. We went out in F6, it rose to F8. Frightened witless, great time, came back with enormous confidence in the boat.

Next time was by myself, first time solo. Rowed out to the boat - approached her thinking "what the **** have I done". Pottered around checking things, preparing, eventually took heart in hands and cast off. Had a whale of a time. Couldn't believe I'd done it when I put her back on her buoy a few hours later. I've had all sorts of little frights since, once got within 15 seconds of calling mayday, had engine failure the outing after it was serviced, but at the end of any sail, if you've got the boat back on the berth, with help if needed, you've succeeded. Take the conditions into account, work within your capabilities and keep plugging away. DIY is the very best way of learning.

 

[Giblets]

This is a really great thread that I have printed out for future reference (BTW can anyone tell me how to print a thread in it's entirety without all the cutting & pasting of each post into Word?). Thanks to all for the advice given.

I've sailed thousands of miles on larger crewed yachts but have decided that the time has come to get my own little boat to potter around the Solent and the info given has boosted the desire no end (so if anyone knows of a good SeaHawk or Leisure 17 for sale pleeeease let me know )

 

[Vern]

Thanks for the supportive words, on somebody else's thread (sorry).
Much appreciated.

 

[Lakesailor]

I wonder if anyone else feels like this?

I sail with a crew through the winter, whatever the weather. Over the 20 years I've been sailing big boats as opposed to dinghies I've sailed the UK south and east coasts many times, the french coast, the spanish coast, crossed Biscay etc. I'm a yachtmaster offshore. I'm not Slocum but I am competent.

But I have never single handed and tbh am a bit frightened of doing so. The ridiculous thing is that most of my summer sailing has been with SWMBO who, despite being competent, is disinterested so I am effectively single handing in company.

But be that as it may I am about to call off the first serious cruise of the season because all my mates are busy sailing their own boats and I'm getting agitated about single handing.

I would say it's not courage, but confidence.
I sail singlehanded all the time (yeah, I know, it's just a duckpond) and find that the facts are exactly as you find them. You effectively single-hand all the time. Even with an active crew-member you are making the decisions, but someone else is carrying them out. So just give yourself a bit of extra time, as you are that other person.

Always have a plan B. I start my motor even when sailing off the mooring. I usually just turn it of once I am under way, but if I need it, it's ready.

Sailing back onto the mooring I will plan the approach so that not only can I luff up and stop on the buoy, but can also bear away and make another approach if needs be. Sometimes I will have the motor running, sometimes I will stow the sails and motor in.
Just plan a little bit more.

 

[RabT]

single-handed novice

Hi Vern,

I started sailing by taking RYA competent crew to see how I got on
(...) and I thought "if I'm to continue with this I ought to get a boat". So I bought a 27 ft long-keel yacht, and arranged to take it out for the first time with co-student and instructor. We went out in F6, it rose to F8. Frightened witless, great time, came back with enormous confidence in the boat.

I did something very similar, CC and DS and bought a 27ft long-keel (my first boat) on April 1st (yes I know...). Brought her to her mooring with the instructor I had been with, big waves first half, lots of spray/water in our faces; nice sail later. Gave me a bit of confidence in the boat.

Next time was by myself, first time solo. Rowed out to the boat - approached her thinking "what the **** have I done". Pottered around checking things, preparing, eventually took heart in hands and cast off. Had a whale of a time. Couldn't believe I'd done it when I put her back on her buoy a few hours later.

Yes, when I went back I thought exactly that: "WTF have I done, you reckless so and so, etc".
I managed to get out on my own and back for a day sail, grand total of about 12nm. Since then I have done small passages in the Clyde area on my own and logged well over 140 miles in 3 weekends, including 3 overnight stays, 2 mooring, 1 in a marina. All single-handed apart from last Friday when I took 2 friends out for lunch and back, first time sailors so they just held the tiller while I played around with other stuff.

I have been extremely lucky with the weather though in my first three weekends of being a boat owner, and this has helped me to experiment and gain confidence. This weekend is looking more windy and it will be a bigger test but I feel ready.

My only advice to anyone in a similar position is to wait for the right weather window if you are unsure. Also, for a smaller boat where you may not have a cleat midships, you could use a winch instead, get tied up, and sort the lines properly later.

It is hard work but very enjoyable, and I echo the sentiment of being on your own when others are having a party nearby... but getting from A to B single-handed is a superb feeling.

Now I just need to find out how to use the spirits burner so I can make a cup of tea...

 

[jbweston]

I take it you aren't talking about long-distance stuff so sleep isn't an issue. Unless your boat is rigged for a big crew everything on board can be done by one person. It is essential to have an autopilot or other means of holding a course so you can go below to the heads or to brew up. You might prefer to heave to. Once clear of harbour traffic nothing is going to come over the horizon and hit you in the time you need for pee, brew or chart check. Just get in the habit of a careful scan of the horizon every time you go below.

You need to be more careful about falling overboard so never leave the cockpit without clipping on with a short tether that will prevent you from slipping under the guardrails. A centre-line jackstay is better than the usual ones running along the side decks. A personal EPIRB in your pocket is a good idea.

The tricky bit is mooring singlehanded. For picking up a buoy a line tied to a bow cleat and run aft to the cockpit will avoid the sprint forward as you lose way. For pontoons, practice the midship spring technique.

Check your insurance covers singlehanding and go for it. Maybe start with a trip round the bay to reassure yourself first.

I agree wholeheartedly with this. A couple of weeks back I moved Penguin from Lymington to Harwich by myself (in good weather). She's 38 feet, and equipped to be handled alone. I sail alone about half the time - have done cross Channels including Falmouth to L'Aberwrach, and do overnights when I fancy it and brought previous boat back singlehanded from Brest to Gosport in a week.

I'm no hero or big expert, just careful and willing to give it a go if it's safe to do so and I'm comfortable with the plan and the weather.

The secret is preparation and never going willingly into marginal situations - if the weather's iffy I stay in port or sail with crew, and if a berth's unusually tough to get into, I don't even try, just find another or go and anchor. In my view, close quarters manoeuvring and berthing (particularly if windy) is the most difficult thing to do alone, and falling asleep or though awake not keeping a good lookout is the most dangerous - short of falling overboard which I reckon is likely to be 100% fatal except in the most benign conditions.

It's natural to be nervous and really that's no bad thing at all. Over-confidence is very dangerous.

I think it's worth reflecting on the difference between confidence and competence. If you know you are a confident incompetent then put the brakes on, and take it easy. Get training, etc. If you are a competent that lacks confidence then congratulations, I reckon you'll not get yourself into too much trouble and you can gradually extend your reach. (Obviously, the incompetent lacking confidence won't even be thinking of sailing alone and someone both competent and confident won't think there's any point in asking advice - so I guess you are neither of those!)

You can practise sailing 'alone' by sailing with a crew and asking them to behave like a passenger unless you get into a situation where you want help.

Yes and do check your insurance - many insurers put a limit on what you can do single-handed and it would be fair enough if they base that on your experience and claims record.

 

[prv]

I found it easy enough off a swinging mooring but the thought of doing it in and out of a marina leaves me nervous.

Me too. I probably sailed singlehanded as much last season as I did with crew, but I haven't yet gone alongside on my own anywhere except my home berth and would find the prospect somewhat intimidating.

Thing is though, if I'm alone why would I want to go into a marina at all? They offer only two benefits: showers, and easy access to the shore. Well if it's just me, what am I going to do on land for an evening? Go and sit on my own in the corner of a pub? Far nicer to be anchored in some secluded spot, drinking a G&T on deck and reading a book. And if it's a secluded spot and I'm alone on board, I can strip off in the cockpit and have a wash, rendering the showers unnecessary too

Single handed can be a lot simpler than issuing intructions to an inexperienced crew.

Seconded. For a lot of maneouvres, I'm actually more confident in handling the boat smoothly on my own. The cockpit is fairly small, so too many people get in each other's way, and most of the people I sail with haven't done it enough (on this boat) that I can trust them implicitly to do exactly what I would expect. My own hands do not exhibit this problem . From a single standing position at the front end of the cockpit, I can operate every piece of running rigging except the mizzen halyards, steer (with my bum if necessary), see the chart table, reach the radio, and generally operate the entire boat. It's no wonder the varnish on that section of sole board is completely worn away

It is handy to have someone else to steer sometimes. I can spend longer below without sticking my head up for a look around, and I can also leave sails up later because a human can steer up a winding channel while I stow the mainsail whereas the tillerpilot needs more open water and a straight course. I ran aground (fortunately only temporarily) onto Brownsea island by ignoring this point

I'd be interested to read other posters suggestions for coming into a berth, transiting a lock single handed. The midships cleat technique works well, providing you are confident about not missing it, and the pontoon cleat is a cleat and not a ring etc.

I don't have a midships cleat (although I can tie onto a chainplate if needed). What I have is a loop of line from the bow to the stern, with enough slack to reach well outboard. This could just be dropped over a cleat, but what I actually do is to tie a big mooring-grabber carabiner into the loop, level with the front end of the cockpit. The carabiner is the kind that clips onto a boathook, then slides off and closes when you grab something with it. Then provided I get within a boathook's range of the pontoon, I can snag a cleat and I'm made fast. With a line from the single pontoon cleat to both bow and stern the boat can swing a bit, but it's not generally too drastic before I'm ashore and tying up properly. I can reach well out with the boathook from my steering position - obviously this would work less well in a centre-cockpit 40-footer

The grabber carabiner would work on a loop or ring as well as a cleat.

When docking I have mooring lines with loops guided through the midship cleats on either side of the boat, ready to go around the poles that mark the berth. The other ends go around the winches once.

When approaching the berth, stop the boat with the cleats next to the mooring poles, put the gear in neutral, then quickly throw the loops around the poles, windward side first

You're describing Baltic box berths, which are rare or possibly non-existent in the UK.

The principles of preparation and slow speed still apply, of course, but I mention it in case any UK beginners are struggling to apply the specifics to their own berths

Pete