Single handed sailing

[kitcat]

I normally go out on my 26M with my wife, but went for a little bumble around on my own the other day, and whilst, frankly, the wind was a little too gusty to use the main, , I used the standard roller jib, but was left wondering how you single handed guys lash the helm if and when you have to leave it for a bit. I did play around with some rope between the two mooring cleats, either side of the cockpit and around the spoke and rim, which worked OK, but was wondering if there is a better way of doing things?

Oh for a reasonably priced Mac specific autopilot!

Paul.

[restless]

Most of the lightweights go for an auto-pilot.
Being a bit more manly, I have fitted a hydraulic steering system which has built in non-return valves which do a good job of stopping things from slopping about too much. In fact the whole steering set up has been majorly upgraded to 'terminator grade' (quote from somewhere)
You'd have to be some sort of he-man to manage the main with the standard setup... halyard aft and a lazy jack / stackpack makes it soooo much more manageable!

[Love MACs]

I go high tech and use a strong rubber bungee; one end over the wheel and one end over the rear of the helm seat.


Allan

[bscott]

If there is any doubt as to the wind conditions, I go out with a reefed main. If you need to reef your main while sailing, learn to "hove to" and reef the main.

Bob

[grady]

Autopilot!!!!!!

Most of the lightweights go for an auto-pilot.

Do not believe this BS!

I single handed for seven years with no down hauls, lazy jacks halyards lead aft, ect... Just had a tiller tamer. Oh ya I flew my spinnaker single handed also. Now with the autopilot it makes for a more enjoyable experience. I can relax and drink my beer while on the bow or anywhere else once everything is set up.

[beene]

Autopilot!

LOL

Ya, I like mine also.

I sail single handed 99% of the time.

In a pinch, tying off the wheel or tiller whatever your boat, will do the trick, but only for a very short while.

With my M, I have had her in perfect balance once or twice and moved from the cockpit to go fwd and skirt the jib, took the boat out of balance with the shift in weight and she did a u turn...... not good.
Wheel never moved an inch the while time. So tying her off would not have helped a bit.

Cheers

G

[bartmac]

I fitted a Raymarine sportpilot...2nd hand off Ebay $200 odd dollars.Works a treat makes for easy 2nd set of hands.The ability to leave the wheel and know its going to keep heading allows me to do jobs around the boat that otherwise I'd have to ask my crew to do.Best investment along with roller furling and a slugged main.I sail for enjoyment and little things to make it more enjoyable does just that.

[tchariya]

If there is any doubt as to the wind conditions, I go out with a reefed main. If you need to reef your main while sailing, learn to "hove to" and reef the main.

Bob

I agree. Learning to hove-to is the safest route. Once the boat has stabilized, you can reef the main.

I have heard and seen that sailing just with the jib in moderate to high winds can be stressful on the mast.
One of my friends went lazy one blistery day and sailed with only his jib. A big gust of wind came from port side
and snapped the mast about about the 1/2 way point.

I have been taught to sail with the main as a cautionary step if you can't single hand the main and the jib.

[pokerrick1]

I had no friends so I sailed single handed 95% of the time also - - and I solved your problem with a 7 cent piece of nylon rope, which I looped through the steering wheel between two spokes and tied off at the starboard aft cleat (tight) - - - the wheel was adjustable (slightly/enough) and enabled me to go below to get a beverage, take a whiz, or retreive something (maybe adjust the stereo - - I never did upgrade to remote control). This works FINE when sailing - - - not so fine under power

Rick

[SkiDeep2001]

I had no friends so I sailed single handed 95% of the time,Rick

So Rick, have you made many friends when taking the donks money at the tables Rob

[NiceAft]

Kitcat,

I single hand sail most of the time.

Because I do not have any lines led aft to the cockpit, one learns to be very efficient, or at least nimble while standing on the deck. If, while underway, you need to reef, then turn into the wind, and do what you need to do. The boat is very forgiving. You just need to build up some experience, and confidence

Ray

[pokerrick1]

I had no friends so I sailed single handed 95% of the time,Rick

So Rick, have you made many friends when taking the donks money at the tables Rob

This is a double edged sword that has been difficult for me my whole poker career. It is important to be judged at the poker table as someone who is pleasant to play with and one to whom people don't mind losing their money.

While I TRY to be friendly - - - I am also VERY quiet most of the time (I am busy observing) and that is sometimes construed as unfriendly. I often completely ignore direct questions asked of me looking for information; and that too is construed as unfriendly - - - but I know that the person who talks loses by giving away information he shouldn't - - - and, believe me, people give up tons of great information for free - - - which I use against them - - - really stupid of them.

So it's a balancing act - - - I want to mostly appear to be friendly - - - but I don't give away ANY informatiion (unless it is false info - - - but I have to be careful with that too). I am NOT at a card room to socialize (although by necessessity I must do some); I am there to get the money and get out - - - PERIOD! Fortunately, most people play so badly that all I have to do is sit and watch and wait!

My mentor in the poker business is constantly reminding me; "don't try to win their money - - - just sit there and they'll give it to you"! That is absolutely correct!

Rick

[K9Kampers]

Rick-
Nice story - got any more? And keep sending the, ah... "contributions" my way!

[pokerrick1]

Nice story - got any more?

THOUSANDS

Rick

[kitcat]

Thanks for the comments everybody, and the disertation on Gambling Rick, it has just reminded me why I don't play - running a boat and hobby car cost enough without playing the tables ....