Sleep on long passages when single handed

[AndCur]

Folks

What way do you sleep when doing long passages (more than 24hrs) if single handed. Is it just a matter of short cat naps.Please bear in mind that my boat is only 24ft and does not have radar so i cant see what's over the horizon.

As always thanks for the reply's

Andrew

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[daveyjones]

Depends on where you are - when coastal sailing in my local waters (Thames Estuary UK), because of the density of shipping and numerous sandbanks I have to look out every 15 minutes maximum, so I set a timer to wake me up at this interval. There is a danger that you may sleep through the alarm, but I find there is a subconscious survival mechanism which usually prevents this! I have found I can perform reasonably well for three days and nights with this system, after that I start to see faces in the clouds, which is interesting, but I also become careless about reefing and steering, which is more problematical.

If I were in more open waters I would extend the sleep period as appropriate, but you should remember Rule 5 of the Collision Regs, which says that a "proper lookout by sight and hearing" should be kept at all times. It could be argued that single-handed sailing conflicts with this rule. Personally I am prepared to take the chance, but I have met a lot of sailors who think it is crazy to sail alone. Everyone has to make their own choice I suppose.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Single handed sailing IS infact in conflict with the COLREGS. Confirm that with your insurance people so that you do not get an unpleasant surprise when you do make a claim for something that happens while the boat is being used.
As has been said, you soon develop a survival instinct. In my case, even when at anchor, I sit up wide awake at intervals of two hours, check that all is well, and then go straight back to my personal dreamworld. At home I would probably sleep through an earthquake.
However, unless you absolutely need to do extremely long distances in one go, it is more doable to make shorter hops of, say, 100 - 120 miles depending on conditions. That way you can catch up on your sleep in the relative safety of an achorage; preferably away from that abomination of the sea, the PWC! Passages of 24 hours are not 'extreme' sailing, especially if you are well prepared with 'munchies'. If you have a tillerpilot with a windvane, like mine, be sure to keep yourself occupied so as not to nod off. Also make sure that the insurance people know about it; it could well prove to be useful in a litigation. "Yes, I was keeping a good lookout because 'George' (or 'Fred' or 'Linda' or what-you-may-call-it)was doing the steering".
Having said all that, yes, sailing single-handed IS crazy! Me? I do it all the time! (Well, anyway, as often as I can)
Fair Winds!

<hr width=100% size=1>Wally

 

[Trevor_swfyc]

If you are thinking of crossing the North Sea or Channel single handed with the view of sleeping then you are either very brave or the other thing.
Remember the round the world lone yachtsman who arrived back in Britain unfortunatly while he was asleep. Apart from the risk of collision what if you fall ill or have an accident making you incapacitated also your ability to decision make is seriously affected when tired and or cold.
Besides who are you going to blame when something goes wrong, its your choice think about it or perhaps more appropriate sleep on it!

Trevor

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Joe]

Just try and do the best that you can.
Get a good radar with an alarm that sounds when it picks up local vessels and maybe use a windvane or autopilot.



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Geordie]

I assume that you have already considered the dangers and are willing to accept the risks. I agree with daveyjones. Near any land and shipping areas you can only afford to catnap, using a kitchen timer (or two or three) to wake you up at regular intervals of your choice. If you are intending to do only 24 hour trips there is no real problem. If you catnap for 3 days or more it gets very difficult. On my recent transatlantic crossing I catnapped whenever I needed to, along the coast of Europe, across to Madeira and down to the Canaries. Radar helped a great deal, but remember that you need more battery power and means of replacing the charge.

Across the Atlantic I slept normal hours. A risk? Yes, but not IMHO as great a risk as driving a car. You make your own choice.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I take it that your reaction was directed to the original poster AndCur and not to me? I thought that I had been quite clear in recommending passages of less than 24 hours and then catching up on sleep while at a safe anchor. If that was not clear then my grasp of your language must be very rusty!
Fair Winds!



<hr width=100% size=1>Wally

 

[johnsomerhausen]

I tend to agree with Geordie, but would like to point out that shipping usually follows very well defined routes and that outside these routes, the likelyhood of encountering ships is pretty reduced. In various crossings of the Cahnnel between Falmouth and the North Britanny coast, I practically never encountered ships in mid-Channel. The same was true for my only crossing of the Gulf of St Lawrence; the shipping was either going to round Nova Scotia (if headed further South) or Newfoundland (if headed North or East for Europe). I´d add theat a small radar (like the Furuno 1621 I have on my 28 footer) in the "Watchman" mode (where it turns only every 5, 10 or 20 minutes, according to the rate you´ve chosen) can easily be fed by a 55 W solar panel, as it consumes less than 2 A/in that mode.
john

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Gazza]

Have just completed a Transatlantic circuit single-handed, and routinely sail alone on coastal trips.

For coastal sailing, I'd agree with the general tenor of what other people have said: use a kitchen timer at intervals of 20 minutes or so. For offshore passages, I catnapped for 40 minutes at a time, then stuck my head up for a quick look round before diving into the berth again. I found that I could maintain this without feeling too tired for the long crossings (19 days max.). Also napped during the day when feeling like it. This worked for me, but it is very much an individual thing - my early working life on shift work may have helped here.

Used a Watchman radar alarm, which while being effective didn't help when I came across a significant number of vessels which didn't have their radar on. I was told that as most shipping companies lease, rather than buy, radar systems, not having it on reduced costs!

<hr width=100% size=1>