Singlehanding - why do you do it?

[Angele]

I had been sailing with my husband every sommer for 24 yrs and loved every minute of it. When he died last year I couldn't bear the thought of selling the boat which had been such a big part of our life together and our second home. So I thought I'd give single handing a try and so far I haven't regretted it. I don't do marinas and harbours just sail to anchorages with lots of space for mistakes. My boat is in Greece. Here's a selfie video of a day of single handing.
http://yachtswoman.blogspot.se/search?updated-min=2014-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2015-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=2

Aquarella

Your story came up in another thread on here, about 6 months ago (more maybe?). I found your story deeply, deeply moving - from your husband's demise through the early steps you were taking to rebuild your life whilst remaining on the water. I have the greatest respect for what you are doing and am delighted you are sticking with it. Respect!! :encouragement:

Edit: Just found it. http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?371770-The-problem-with-single-handers-is-that-they-don-t-shut-up. By coincidence it was another one of Babylon's on a related topic....

 

[pagoda]

1. Because my other half doesn't enjoy sailing and won't go out of sight of land.
2. I would rather go singlehanded than not at all.
3. The is a huge sense of achievement completing a passage by ones self.
4. I don't have to worry about a crews ability and welfare. ( but obviously I would look after a crew if I took a crew)
5. I can please my self and gain some peaceful solitude
6. Getting back to civilisation and having a natter is even more pleasureable.
7. I can sit on the crapper with the heads door open.
8. Food is easier.
9. I scare only myself and not others!!
10. I believe singlehanded sailing hones sailing skills much more, and more quickly, forcing one to think ahead and plan passages and pilotage with a view to avoiding Mr Cockup (self preservation) than a fully crewed boat.

I have singlehanded between Wells Next the Sea to Plymouth and cross channel, (not in one go ) and only occasionally wish I had a crew to share the sights I have seen and enjoy some beer/banter on the boring bits.
If I had a sailing family then I guess I would not have done so much singlehanded sailing and would have an entirely different view.

I agree with most of the above. I've done it a few times when I couldn't get crew, and other times it was just glorious and I just wanted to get out on the water. Out of harbours , I find no real problems, I let the autohelm do some of the work and trim sails super carefully. Eating is both easier and a pain, under way, popping up to check things frequently. Mooring and pontoons need more attention, as does anchoring, but so long as one avoids nasty weather more than usual, it can be done safely.

I found I miss the company though....probably more than the extra hands! If it's getting breezy, you can't delegate anybody to organise a brew!

Graeme

 

[Angele]

Why?

I don't.

I find other crew members make better company than just me.

 

[n4585k]

Aquarella

Your story came up in another thread on here, about 6 months ago (more maybe?). I found your story deeply, deeply moving - from your husband's demise through the early steps you were taking to rebuild your life whilst remaining on the water. I have the greatest respect for what you are doing and am delighted you are sticking with it. Respect!! :encouragement:

Edit: Just found it. http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?371770-The-problem-with-single-handers-is-that-they-don-t-shut-up. By coincidence it was another one of Babylon's on a related topic....

I was just going to write exactly the same! Lots of respect and love to you!

 

[n4585k]

Not to hijack this thread, but what's the consensus about singlehanding a 45ish foot boat? I understand it of course depends on the person, but is it foolish?

 

[Fantasie 19]

Why?

If I didn't I wouldn't be able to go sailing...

 

[Kukri]

Not to hijack this thread, but what's the consensus about singlehanding a 45ish foot boat? I understand it of course depends on the person, but is it foolish?

I have a friend who sails a slightly bigger boat than this with his two small children, only, which to my mind is "extreme singlehanding" (!) however in my judgment he is perfectly competent to do so (and he does it a lot!).

Others may differ

 

[Dave-Shafa]

The 75-foot (23 m) trimaran was built in Australia, with many of the components specifically arranged to take into account MacArthur's 5 foot 2 inch (1.57 m) height.
Solo sailor.

 

[Blueboatman]

45ft singlehanding ?
I used to singlehand my first boat which was 40 ft with a big main hoisted at the mast, no self steering or autopilot, nor anchor winch or jiffy reefing. Hank on headsails too . And a tiny two blade propellor that was not on the centreline.. The key was planning, not rushing, doing it slowly, maybe not hoisting g full sail until well clear of port.

I thought it was all great, I was 23 and bloody happy to be living a life...

I still rig all the lines and fenders ( and top up the teapot ) at sea, under sail, before entering harbour. Why try to do it under engine, rolling around in a sloppy sea or in a confined waterway?


Big boats-as prolific ocean crosser TCM observed are heavy and often this gives you the time when manoeuvring in confined waters. So long as its not a pig to handle, nor blows around like an empty crisp packet ( as it were), then sure, why not singlehand a 45 ft?

 

[Sandy]

Not to hijack this thread, but what's the consensus about singlehanding a 45ish foot boat? I understand it of course depends on the person, but is it foolish?

Depends on the person, the boat and area.

 

[LittleShip]

why

Me..... Retired

Wife....Employed

Tom.

 

[bikedaft]

I like it cos i can turn whichever way i want on a whim, and go to a different island etc

Bit like being up hills on your own

More fun with mates, but more cooking/decision sharing also

 

[lpdsn]

Not to hijack this thread, but what's the consensus about singlehanding a 45ish foot boat? I understand it of course depends on the person, but is it foolish?

Shouldn't be. You just need to think ahead even more than you have to on a smaller boat. Berthing is harder as you have further to travel to grab the lines and more weight to control, so I tend to try to pick my berth.

That said, I only single-hand my 43-footer occasionally as I prefer to have crew along for a bit of craic.

 

[ganter]

If I make a right idiot of myself - there's no one to witness it but me.

Seriously, most single-handers probably can't come up with any sort of reason that puts across the sense of freedom, deliverance from worries, a splash of adrenalin and the feeling of wonder at having their craft well set and in sympathy with the elements and themselves at the helm.

As the great solo sailor Frank Mulville once said of the single hander: "He knows how but he does not know why."

 

[Searush]

Why?

The question should be "Why not?". Do you really need someone else to hold your hand, set a sail, recover the anchor, tie up or whatever? If so, then wait until you have someone willing to go with you. If not, it makes sense to go solo.

I often go sailing at very short notice, it is unlikely that friends or family will be free at the same time so why bother when I can go on my own.

I buy the foods I like to cook & eat rather than things that have to suit everyone. I go where & when I want stay as long as I like & come back when I want. If I meet someone else I can tag along or not as I wish. I can anchor & swim/ walk/ read or fix stuff as I want.

I often go with the family & that is fun too, but a different sort of fun depending on whether it is all adults or we have G-kids with us. There are beaches we go to with the little ones & all seem to like the wildlife places we go to, but I don't mind sitting in the mud all day somewhere when the tide has gone out, they would struggle to cope with that.

 

[Daydream believer]

1. Because my other half doesn't enjoy sailing and won't go out of sight of land.
2. I would rather go singlehanded than not at all.
3. The is a huge sense of achievement completing a passage by ones self.
4. I don't have to worry about a crews ability and welfare. ( but obviously I would look after a crew if I took a crew)
5. I can please my self and gain some peaceful solitude
6. Getting back to civilisation and having a natter is even more pleasureable.
7. I can sit on the crapper with the heads door open.
8. Food is easier.
9. I scare only myself and not others!!
10. I believe singlehanded sailing hones sailing skills much more, and more quickly, forcing one to think ahead and plan passages and pilotage with a view to avoiding Mr Cockup (self preservation) than a fully crewed boat.

I have singlehanded between Wells Next the Sea to Plymouth and cross channel, (not in one go ) and only occasionally wish I had a crew to share the sights I have seen and enjoy some beer/banter on the boring bits.
If I had a sailing family then I guess I would not have done so much singlehanded sailing and would have an entirely different view.

Thanks! you have saved me a lot of typing so now I can just go " +1"

I sail SH 90% of time & if I take someone else I find it just to " in your face" having to talk & entertain them. In port i like to read a book or go for a drink or walk on my own , One cannot do that with another crew on board. They just invade my space
Totally different if the family come - then i just love them being there. Trouble is with the wife only I tend to sail for her & not for what is right for the boat which is not always the best way to sail

Plus , of course , no body likes me !!!

 

[BarryH]

Easy- Billynomates. I don't mind if people tag along it can be fun, but on the whole its me on my todd. Its quite an achievenent to move a boat from start to finish on a trip and know its wholly down to myself.
On the other hand it is nice to chat to people andd share the tasks. I have found some people just talk for the sake of it when all I want to do is just stare at the wonder of where I am and the nature around me.
Does that make me sound like a misrable old git?

 

[Blue Drifter]

If I didn't sail solo then I wouldn't sail as often - simples. I really enjoy both single handed and sailing with company, but solo gives me much more freedom, particularly to change plans. Like Daydream Believer I feel obliged to 'manage' crew and ensure that meals, showers etc happen and that the trip is kept interesting. Solo I can and frequently do, spend an extra day or two if weather or location is good. As I rarely sail with experienced crew the sailing is actually easier on my own. That said it is brilliant when someone experienced comes along. This also applies to hill-walking which I find equally enjoyable solo or with a friend.

 

[ganter]

2
7. I can sit on the crapper with the heads door open.

And, in addition to my comments of earlier this is also a very big plus point to single-handed sailing. Especially when you have a small boat with a tight head space anyway and long legs.
There's an inexpressible joy to the natural processes of the body being in conjunction with solitude and not inconveniencing another person.

You did ask why!

 

[sailorbaz]

why

Me..... Retired

Wife....Employed

Tom.

+1
Sailorbaz