single-handing

mastreb · Post by **mastreb** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 4:31 pm

I also use an EZ cleat for the furling line, which runs it back to the gunnels where I can manage it from the helm, as I furl quite a bit during normal sailing to manage heel. Works great. I've got a normal cleat on the gunnel track as well to wind up all the furling line onto. I rarely if ever use the stock furling cleat on the cabin-top--it's just too far from the helm.

So be sure to get three EZ cleats if you have a roller furler.

Baerkanu · Post by **Baerkanu** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 8:23 pm

Does anyone have a pic of the EZ cleat in use with a jib?

- Clay

Dawgfish · Post by **Dawgfish** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 6:21 pm

DaveC426913 wrote: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?

Fresh breeze....in big water that means lots of up and down, round n round. tricky at best. I am normally astraddle the helm while sitting on the bench(either side). Always on the opposite side of the sheet being used(pull with legs that way) if its a good breeze I will nose to windward a bit to ease the genoa for easier pulling of sheet. the main I put away or have reefed, in anything more than 15 mph wind, either way it does its own thing.
on inland waters....different story. usually up and moving so much there isnt time to sit in a spot to relax( Breezy inland).Inland= lee shore , to me...
Honestly I try to avoid breezy conditions if possible. I am not racing anyone and dont like having my cabin tossed .
If I wasnt on a long cruise then a breeze would be a hoot!

Post by **dlandersson** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 6:42 pm

Interesting, when I come about my focus is on my RF Genoa.

I loosen the Genoa lines that run back to the cockpit, let the wind pull the sail across, and then tighten them down again. No big deal.

I don't worry about trimming the mainsail until after the change has been done.

DaveC426913 · Post by **DaveC426913** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 7:27 pm

dlandersson wrote:Interesting, when I come about my focus is on my RF Genoa.

I loosen the Genoa lines that run back to the cockpit, let the wind pull the sail across, and then tighten them down again. No big deal.

I don't worry about trimming the mainsail until after the change has been done.

Yeah. It's the genny I struggle with. I need two hands for the winch and hauling the sheet in, plus a third hand to let fly the slack sheet, plus a fourth hand for the wheel. And all of then need to be about 2 feet longer.

bscott · Post by **bscott** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 8:42 pm

For single handing a jib I replaced my Lewmar 6a winches with Lewmar 7a with Winchers installed which act as self tailers. I also removed the cam cleats in favor of Lewmar D-1 rope clutches that self cleat as you pull/winch the sheet. flip handle up and release the sheet, down cleats the sheet. 24' of new 8 mm sheet lines/side completes the new system.

I have a surplus Spinlock rope clutch and a pair if Lewmar 6a winches, cam cleats and sheets if anyone is in need. The conversion has a few issues--PM me for details.

Bob

Post by **dlandersson** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 3:47 am

Okay, why do you haul the sheet in?

Just let the line out and let the wind push the Genoa across on your new heading, then secure.

I sometime hold my wheel with my knee or a bungee cord.

DaveC426913 wrote:
dlandersson wrote:Interesting, when I come about my focus is on my RF Genoa.

I loosen the Genoa lines that run back to the cockpit, let the wind pull the sail across, and then tighten them down again. No big deal.

I don't worry about trimming the mainsail until after the change has been done.
Yeah. It's the genny I struggle with. I need two hands for the winch and hauling the sheet in, plus a third hand to let fly the slack sheet, plus a fourth hand for the wheel. And all of then need to be about 2 feet longer.

mastreb · Post by **mastreb** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 5:55 pm

I find the helm is just too nervous on a Mac to single hand. I need a helmsman or an autopilot, or I can't keep course at all in light air.

Ixneigh · Post by **Ixneigh** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 9:18 pm

My M is a delight, aside from a few little quirks. Are my skegs I installed making that much of a difference under sail?
Ix

mastreb · Post by **mastreb** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 8:17 pm

I sail with the motor attached, and I know that's most of my issue with the helm. Having tried everything else it's time to buy a BWY quick disconnect.

DaveC426913 · Post by **DaveC426913** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 9:41 pm

dlandersson wrote:Okay, why do you haul the sheet in?

Hauling in the sheet on the low side, i.e. once it's crossed the centreline, I gotta harden the genny on the new tack.

IMO, a proper tack (without stalling the boat) requires letting one sheet fly at the same time as hauling in the other, any delay between them and your genny becomes a pennant rather than a sail. To do that, I can't be on the wheel.

DaveC426913 · Post by **DaveC426913** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 9:45 pm

mastreb wrote:I sail with the motor attached, and I know that's most of my issue with the helm. Having tried everything else it's time to buy a BWY quick disconnect.

Yeah. I've been thinking about that. It would certainly tame the wheel when I'm single-handing. Do they make em for the

?

Post by **dlandersson** » Sun Oct 13, 2013 5:33 am

Ok, I do that also, got a cleat on both the port and starboard side. I simply pull it taught while holding the wheel with my knee. I don't sail is anything much over 15 knots.

DaveC426913 wrote:
dlandersson wrote:Okay, why do you haul the sheet in?
Hauling in the sheet on the low side, i.e. once it's crossed the centreline, I gotta harden the genny on the new tack.

IMO, a proper tack (without stalling the boat) requires letting one sheet fly at the same time as hauling in the other, any delay between them and your genny becomes a pennant rather than a sail. To do that, I can't be on the wheel.

DaveC426913 · Post by **DaveC426913** » Sun Oct 13, 2013 9:03 am

dlandersson wrote:Ok, I do that also, got a cleat on both the port and starboard side. I simply pull it taught while holding the wheel with my knee. I don't sail is anything much over 15 knots.

I presume you're using EZ cleats on the sheet blocks. I've got to go forward to the winches.

Max Entropy · Post by **Max Entropy** » Sun Oct 13, 2013 1:21 pm

How about no-handing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxmDYpj_lo8

- Nick

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

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