single-handing

[DaveC426913]

I'm finding myself doing a lot of single-handing.

I am having a heckuva time tacking. Throw the bungie over the wheel to keep it on track, go forward of the pedestal, take the loaded sheet down to one turn on the winch, (inadvertantly easing it several inches in the process), grab the lazy sheet, bring them both back the wheel, throw off the bungie, come about, throw off the loaded sheet, haul crazily on the lazy sheet, then fight for a minute getting it in the cleat without slipping - an I've lost all my momentum...

I'm considering those EZ cleats that mount of the jib sheet car, but I'll have no winch. I sail in heavy-enough air that I can;t always get the sheet in by hand. So I'm wondering if I should just go all out and put a seconds set of winches on the stern.

How do you single-hand in a fresh breeze?

[Québec 1]

Don't attache the bungie to the wheel.

[yukonbob]

I use the wheel to get into or just across the wind ( then straighten the wheel out) deal with the main; then backsheet the jib to complete the turn til the wind really catches it then sheet properly. This way you're not oversteered by the time the wind catches you in turn setting you up for a nice broach then roundup fighting the wheel all the way through. If that makes any sense

[Hardcrab]

In the case of heavy loaded EZ cleats, just come up a bit to take off some strain, adjust as required, then fall back off.

[K9Kampers]

I single hand alot and always sit just ahead of or beside the helm so that I'm reaching aft to the wheel. I don't bungie the wheel and don't have a problem maintaining control of the boat while working the Genoa sheets. Everything is within arms reach.

[Dawgfish]

I single hand alot and always sit just ahead of or beside the helm so that I'm reaching aft to the wheel. I don't bungie the wheel and don't have a problem maintaining control of the boat while working the Genoa sheets. Everything is within arms reach.

this is my usual spot too, unless running.
I have been able to work the sheets while behind the wheel while the weather is subdued and I dont have to change course a lot

[beene]

Get an autopilot

Single most important mod ever made

G

[DaveC426913]

I single hand alot and always sit just ahead of or beside the helm so that I'm reaching aft to the wheel. I don't bungie the wheel and don't have a problem maintaining control of the boat while working the Genoa sheets. Everything is within arms reach.

I do sit forward of the pedestal. Still, I cannot reach both winches and the helm - both because my arms are too short, and because - well - I only have two.

Don't attache the bungie to the wheel.

Taking my hand off the wheel will have it go full over.

I am finally getting the wisdom of detaching the motor from the rudders.

Get an autopilot

Single most important mod ever made

G

How would that work - since I'm in the middle of a turn? Can I tell it to make a turn?

Or do I tell it to just keep on the current heading? Seems kind of overkill.

[kevinnem]

yes, an autopilot can be told to "tack"

[mastreb]

Here's the order I use, which always works well:

0. Drop your windward rudder into the water and cleat off.
1. Set the lazy sheet about where you think it ought to be in the EZ cleats.This is key, and helps the jib snap around to a good set quickly with minimal fuss, which prevents losing precious momentum during the tack. You can sew in a marker thread on your sheet at a good general purpose spot if you like.
2. Loose the traveler car and let the main carry it to leeward, then lock it down. This starts you losing a bit of power but is way easier than moving the traveler after tacking. I generally have the car either fully to port or fully to starboard--there's little reason to be anywhere else.
3. If you use a vang, loose it.
4. Turn entirely through the tack, allowing the jib to backwind.
4. Lock the wheel however it is you do that.
5. Uncleat the working sheet and manage the jib around. The new working sheet will bite where you set it, and with a bit of experience it will usually be good enough to keep from losing momentum.
6. Get the main completely settled on your new heading, vang and mainsheet.
7. If you need to reset the jib sheet once the tack is complete in a fresh wind, take the jib sheet tail forward from the EZ cleats up to the winch and winch it in. The EZ cleats don't prevent you from also using the winch if necessary and if you're clever about it you can reset the line in the EZ cleat once the winch has done its job so you can relax the line off the winch again. In any case, it doesn't matter: The EZ cleat has done it's job just by holding the jib sheet after the tack until you can reset it.
8. Pull up your windward rudder and cleat off.
9. Winch up your daggerboard to the proper set for your point of sail and speed.

EZ cleats are half the battle, but the real trick is not to try to turn and manage the jib sheets at the same.

[kurz]

Hello

Can anybody help me to get these "EZ cleats"?

Partnumber, store...???

Here in Europe I could not find.

So it is no problem from the USA, friends came over from time to time.

Thanks

[The Mutt]

During a tack I turn upwind keeping the Genoa from the tack that I've been running, after the bow turns and the boom settles I flick the sheet to release from the cleat, pull the opposite genoa sheet through the cleat until I'm happy with the set of the sail, all from the helm seat, the only time I have to go forward of the helm while sailing is if the sheet slips out of the cleat's path, furling/un-furling the genoa or if the spinnaker is used.

Imagine's winches and autopilot have not been used in 3 Years or so.

Fair Winds
Glenn

[dxg4848]

Hello

Can anybody help me to get these "EZ cleats"?

Partnumber, store...???

Here in Europe I could not find.

So it is no problem from the USA, friends came over from time to time.

Thanks

You can buy them from Bill at Boats4Sail: http://www.boats4sail.info/parts-1.html two for $100.00
I bought my from Bill in 2009 along with his rig pack (lines lead aft, EZ cleats, etc)
Since I had EZ cleats from day one, to me they are like part of the original boat. They work great in any weather with my 100% hank-on jib.
I would definitely recommend them.

[dxg4848]

I'm considering those EZ cleats that mount of the jib sheet car, but I'll have no winch. I sail in heavy-enough air that I can;t always get the sheet in by hand. So I'm wondering if I should just go all out and put a seconds set of winches on the stern.

How do you single-hand in a fresh breeze?

You don't need winches with Bill's EZ cleats http://www.boats4sail.info/parts-1.html (at least not with jib).
I can reach both jib sheets easily from the helm. When I am ready to tack I simply turn the wheel. When jib loses pressure I can easily pop the sheet from EZ cleat, and while boat continues to turn and the jib continues to move to the other side I pull the opposite jib sheet and it gets latched in opposite EZ cleat. Main sail adjusts itself and whole process takes just a few seconds, and I don't need to leave helm.

[Ixneigh]

The boat, the M at least, will handle better without the motor linked to the rudders. I made a special pin that goes on and off easily. The boat it well mannered and my tacking goes like this.
turn the boat till the jib backwinds, and forces the bow around. Let the boat settle on the new heading, slide the traveler to leeward and reset the jib sheets.without the weight of the engine, the boat will hold her course long enough to reach forward and work the sheets. Unless I'm pointing high in flat waters with lots of wind, I pretty much always sail with the traveler to leeward, I guess in violation of some sailing law?
while sailing in very shallow waters with no board down at all, don't forget you can club haul the boat using the anchor.
Ix