Tips on Solo Sailing

[pjust]

A "jiffy reefing" rig allows you to put a reef in your mainsail-or shake out a reef--without leaving the cockpit. Much quicker and safer!

[John Stone]

The types of mods you can make to your boat are infinite. Most, if not all, are unnecessary unless they address a specific issue that prevents you from completing a task. I’m thinking mostly along the lines of a physical disability.

Rather than focus on mods to your boat, focus your efforts on ensuring that the equipment, hardware, running rigging you already have on the boat work properly and smoothly.

As others have suggested I would encourage you to improve your own sailing skills before attempting to modify your boat to make singlhanding easier. A CD 22 is a small maneuverable well mannered boat easily managed under most all conditions with a modicum of skill and physicsl dexterity. I think there is beauty and safety in keeping a boat as simple as possible. Simplicity makes a boat easier and less expensive to maintain. Depending on the modification, simplicity helps reduce clutter and tripping hazards. Simplicity often means there are less things to go wrong and thus helps you focus on what you are doing.

As you gain skill and knowledge of your particular boat you may decide a specific mod will benefit you in ways that may not have been apparent before. Conversely, you may decide you don’t need or want a previously desired modification.

It is my opinion that as sailors become very experienced they tend to want simpler rather than more complicated boats. There is of course always exceptions but that is driven more by personality than anything else.

[mgphl52]

It is my opinion that as sailors become very experienced they tend to want simpler rather than more complicated boats. There is of course always exceptions but that is driven more by personality than anything else.

Very well said, John! There are no fancy-dancy doodahs that can replace simply sailing & learning your boat.

[Nebe]

im not sure if anyone has mentioned this. but if you want to single hand, go out with a friend a few times and have them be there just in case you need help with something. If you do need help, then you need to figure out what it was that you can do differently to make it easier.

Roller fuller, lazy jacks, a main halyard that is lead to the cockpit, tiller pilot and self tailing winches would be a good start for baking things easy.

[mgphl52]

Roller fuller, lazy jacks, a main halyard that is lead to the cockpit, tiller pilot and self tailing winches would be a good start for baking things easy.

I'm repeating myself and others, but... don't waste time/money with adding *anything* until you sail the boat awhile...
in the mean time, go ahead a make a list of all those things you think want to add.
once you have a season or so of sailing the boat, go back to your list see how many you can delete

[Boyd]

I solo'd my CD30 MkII for 13 years.

The most important things I learned are:

Become proficient at heaving-to under all conditions. Its a huge convenience and saved my bacon a number of times. e.g. raw water impeller fails as I approached Port Everglades.

Have enough tools and spares on board to fix practically anything that can go wrong. See above.

I made a list of all the things that either broke or bothered me each time I went sailing, then fixed or improved them. Its a great way to know your boat.

Go Sailing and enjoy the time.

Boyd
s/v Cat-a-Tonic
Prout 34
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.