Single-handed sailing...
Discussion
Well, we're coming to the end of my first season with my fixer-upper Juno 560 and I've had a fantastic Summer on the Loch, learning the ropes. Also managed to squeeze in a week finishing my Day Skipper practical so feel that my sailing has come on a bit. I'm still finishing bloody last in club races but not too surprised or bothered about that for now.
One thing though, is wondering how to go about sailing her single-handed. At 18 foot, she certainly ought to be manageable but I was wondering if anyone had any tips or techniques to make tacking etc. easier.
It came to mind because yesterday was pretty windy and we were heeled over a great portion of the time and I felt that I had my hands full dealing with the main sheet and just helming us through the tacks. I reckon I'd have struggled doing it single-handed and can easily see a situation where I either over-tack and spin us round into a gybe, or take it too slowly and lose way in irons.
Is there a 'best practice' for this sort of thing or is it a case of wedging the tiller between your legs and trying to make the best of it?
Any thoughts welcome?
ETA - I've worked out in my head that the best way to pick up a mooring buoy is to make a massive lasso, make it off at the bow and run it back to the cockpit so I can sort of drop it on the pickup as I sail past and then rig a permanent line afterwards??
One thing though, is wondering how to go about sailing her single-handed. At 18 foot, she certainly ought to be manageable but I was wondering if anyone had any tips or techniques to make tacking etc. easier.
It came to mind because yesterday was pretty windy and we were heeled over a great portion of the time and I felt that I had my hands full dealing with the main sheet and just helming us through the tacks. I reckon I'd have struggled doing it single-handed and can easily see a situation where I either over-tack and spin us round into a gybe, or take it too slowly and lose way in irons.
Is there a 'best practice' for this sort of thing or is it a case of wedging the tiller between your legs and trying to make the best of it?
Any thoughts welcome?
ETA - I've worked out in my head that the best way to pick up a mooring buoy is to make a massive lasso, make it off at the bow and run it back to the cockpit so I can sort of drop it on the pickup as I sail past and then rig a permanent line afterwards??
Edited by Disastrous on Monday 23 September 11:22
Invest in a track across the foredeck to create a self tacking jib. Also, in breezy conditions, move the jib cars aft a few inches. This has the effect of twisting off the leech of the jib and depowering it slightly.
Also, in breezy conditions, wind on the kicker a little more than normal and ease the mainsheet - you want only about the back 10% of the leech of the main driving - if you are trimmed right, pretty much all of the main will be backwinded by the headsail, but you will still be getting drive off the leech.
Sailing single handed is pretty simple really, with the key (as per sailing crewed) is to set the boat up right for conditions and don't let it overpower you. We used to race Sigma 38's with #1 and full main up to around 33kts apparent windspeed just by twisting everything off slightly and depowering a little bit.
Also, in breezy conditions, wind on the kicker a little more than normal and ease the mainsheet - you want only about the back 10% of the leech of the main driving - if you are trimmed right, pretty much all of the main will be backwinded by the headsail, but you will still be getting drive off the leech.
Sailing single handed is pretty simple really, with the key (as per sailing crewed) is to set the boat up right for conditions and don't let it overpower you. We used to race Sigma 38's with #1 and full main up to around 33kts apparent windspeed just by twisting everything off slightly and depowering a little bit.
If you are just doing a white sail series where no spinnakers are allowed, then doing what Schmalex suggests works fine. Personally though, I always prefer to be at least 2 up in anything yacht shaped, mainly because the other person can go and get you a beer from below or be there to blame when you sail the wrong course...
schmalex said:
Invest in a track across the foredeck to create a self tacking jib. Also, in breezy conditions, move the jib cars aft a few inches. This has the effect of twisting off the leech of the jib and depowering it slightly.
Also, in breezy conditions, wind on the kicker a little more than normal and ease the mainsheet - you want only about the back 10% of the leech of the main driving - if you are trimmed right, pretty much all of the main will be backwinded by the headsail, but you will still be getting drive off the leech.
Sailing single handed is pretty simple really, with the key (as per sailing crewed) is to set the boat up right for conditions and don't let it overpower you. We used to race Sigma 38's with #1 and full main up to around 33kts apparent windspeed just by twisting everything off slightly and depowering a little bit.
This, and if sailing solo, dont be afraid to reef / put a smaller headsail up until you get comfortable .... Also, in breezy conditions, wind on the kicker a little more than normal and ease the mainsheet - you want only about the back 10% of the leech of the main driving - if you are trimmed right, pretty much all of the main will be backwinded by the headsail, but you will still be getting drive off the leech.
Sailing single handed is pretty simple really, with the key (as per sailing crewed) is to set the boat up right for conditions and don't let it overpower you. We used to race Sigma 38's with #1 and full main up to around 33kts apparent windspeed just by twisting everything off slightly and depowering a little bit.
Have done the same trick as Schmalx on his Sigma myself, mainly out of lazyness
, but often the boat will sail faster with smaller sail area when the wind picks up as not overpowered! my 3/4 tonner probably sails fastest on No2 and 1 reef in the main at 25 - 28 kts wind speed as she is most ballanced then!
Not tried sailing her single handed though, running backstays, checkstays, 6 winches, 12 loaded jammers i dont have the brain power never mind enough hands!!!
I've done loads single handed, on my old 25 footer, and a fair bit on my newer 39 footer.
The key is, whatever you do, do it faster.
To be honest, without bodies cluttering up the deck, you can normally get just as much done yourself with a bit of extra effort as you can with one or two crew.
Stand on one foot, tiller with the second, and a sheet in either hand. If you can jam off the main, that helps to tack.
I LOVE single handed, my favourite bit.
The key is, whatever you do, do it faster.
To be honest, without bodies cluttering up the deck, you can normally get just as much done yourself with a bit of extra effort as you can with one or two crew.
Stand on one foot, tiller with the second, and a sheet in either hand. If you can jam off the main, that helps to tack.
I LOVE single handed, my favourite bit.
Thanks everyone, a lot of food for thought there.
The main sheet runs through a single, central jammer so if I was just tilling and main-sheeting, I'd be laughing as it'd be just like sailing a fat, slow, Laser or something. The headsail is what's been giving me a headache, but I think I have it clearer in my head now.
I think the key will be prepping by coiling the leeward sheet in readiness for the tack and then using my arse/leg in the tiller whilst I let fly the windward sheet and grind in the leeward.
I don't have a tiller extension but reckon this would help a bit as I'm not sure I can reach the winches and the tiller from one place. Are they generic?? Or do you need one specifically for your boat?
The main sheet runs through a single, central jammer so if I was just tilling and main-sheeting, I'd be laughing as it'd be just like sailing a fat, slow, Laser or something. The headsail is what's been giving me a headache, but I think I have it clearer in my head now.
I think the key will be prepping by coiling the leeward sheet in readiness for the tack and then using my arse/leg in the tiller whilst I let fly the windward sheet and grind in the leeward.
I don't have a tiller extension but reckon this would help a bit as I'm not sure I can reach the winches and the tiller from one place. Are they generic?? Or do you need one specifically for your boat?
maser_spyder said:
Stand on one foot, tiller with the second, and a sheet in either hand can of beer in hand. If you can jam off the main, that helps to tack.
EFADisastrous said:
I think the key will be prepping by coiling the leeward sheet in readiness for the tack and then using my arse/leg in the tiller whilst I let fly the windward sheet and grind in the leeward.
I don't have a tiller extension but reckon this would help a bit as I'm not sure I can reach the winches and the tiller from one place. Are they generic?? Or do you need one specifically for your boat?
Yup, always prepair the sheets well in advance.I don't have a tiller extension but reckon this would help a bit as I'm not sure I can reach the winches and the tiller from one place. Are they generic?? Or do you need one specifically for your boat?
Tiller extensions are generic, just make sure its strong enough for your requirements - also look at a simple bunjee rig to keep the tiller centered - its only needed for 30 seconds or so, alternatively look to investing in a tiller pilot.
Disastrous said:
Thanks everyone, a lot of food for thought there.
The main sheet runs through a single, central jammer so if I was just tilling and main-sheeting, I'd be laughing as it'd be just like sailing a fat, slow, Laser or something. The headsail is what's been giving me a headache, but I think I have it clearer in my head now.
I think the key will be prepping by coiling the leeward sheet in readiness for the tack and then using my arse/leg in the tiller whilst I let fly the windward sheet and grind in the leeward.
I don't have a tiller extension but reckon this would help a bit as I'm not sure I can reach the winches and the tiller from one place. Are they generic?? Or do you need one specifically for your boat?
Unless the Juno has a huge genoa, it should be possible to bring the sail across without winch assistance; when racing Hunter Sonatas(bigger boat and 130% genoa), if the deck gorilla is awake and I'm on the ball, I can get it in and cleated without winching up to about 10kts of wind. The key is to have the what will become the weather sheet ready to run free so it releases easily and pull in the new sheet as she comes through the wind. If you wait until there's wind in the sail it's too late. It might help if you make a mark on the sheet with a marker pen while closehauled, next to the winch or the genoa block where it's easy to see, so you have a guide as to how much to pull in while the sail is still flapping.The main sheet runs through a single, central jammer so if I was just tilling and main-sheeting, I'd be laughing as it'd be just like sailing a fat, slow, Laser or something. The headsail is what's been giving me a headache, but I think I have it clearer in my head now.
I think the key will be prepping by coiling the leeward sheet in readiness for the tack and then using my arse/leg in the tiller whilst I let fly the windward sheet and grind in the leeward.
I don't have a tiller extension but reckon this would help a bit as I'm not sure I can reach the winches and the tiller from one place. Are they generic?? Or do you need one specifically for your boat?
ETA; a google search shows the Juno to be a little trailer sailer/pocket cruiser thing; with a cockpit that small and a non-overlapping genoa you should be able to tack the sail without using the winches unless it's a F3 or more, it's not a big sail. Changing to camcleats for the jibsheets will help speed up tacking, as will servicing your winches.
Edited by hidetheelephants on Wednesday 25th September 04:53
ClaphamGT3 said:
A lot of extremely good advice here.
Single handed is a joy; its all about set-up and pre planning. The only thing that I find a chore is the getting on/off your mooring bouy/the pontoon/the slipway.
That's the bit where you run around like a maniac doing everything at once...Single handed is a joy; its all about set-up and pre planning. The only thing that I find a chore is the getting on/off your mooring bouy/the pontoon/the slipway.
maser_spyder said:
ClaphamGT3 said:
A lot of extremely good advice here.
Single handed is a joy; its all about set-up and pre planning. The only thing that I find a chore is the getting on/off your mooring bouy/the pontoon/the slipway.
That's the bit where you run around like a maniac doing everything at once...Single handed is a joy; its all about set-up and pre planning. The only thing that I find a chore is the getting on/off your mooring bouy/the pontoon/the slipway.
(or is that just me)
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