Sailing one handed

CTSailor, Hullraiser, Widerisbetter,

THANK YOU.

You guys made me reread this post, I'd forgotten about it. As I got to the end of the part about "the Dude" I could not believe what I had written. I'm actually MAD at myself for ever thinking that way. I mean eventually I came around and chose not to sell but, I'm mad at myself for even thinking that let alone going as so far as to write it. <bad chris! bad!! bad!!!>

HOORA!! you guys relit my fire.

I cant wait for the water to get warmer,
oh yea I gotta nail down them rudder cams too.

CTSailor, Hullraiser, Widerisbetter,

THANK YOU.

You guys made me reread this post, I'd forgotten about it. As I got to the end of the part about "the Dude" I could not believe what I had written. I'm actually MAD at myself for ever thinking that way. I mean eventually I came around and chose not to sell but, I'm mad at myself for even thinking that let alone going as so far as to write it. <bad chris! bad!! bad!!!>

HOORA!! you guys relit my fire.
Many thanks.
Christopher

I cant wait for the water to get warmer,
oh yea I gotta nail down them rudder cams too.

wtf?. I got confused and posted thhen reposted oh well. sorry to waste the server space.

Thinking of getting out with my girlfriend she has no sailing experence. I was thinking of just flying the jib to make things easy. Can the cat pitchpole under just a jib?

Something kinda tells me not.

TIA
-chris

I had the same issue when I took out my gf. She had never sailed before and that left everything up to me. I found the best way to get her more interested was to let her take the jib and you control the main and tiller. This way she is participating and will, most likely, reduce your workload.

If you were going to pick just one sail, it should not be the jib. The boat will be way out of balance on the helm. The jibs center of effort os too far forward. Your best be is to put up both sails and don't sheet very aggresively. Plus, having that jib makes tacking soooo much easier than without.

A big benfit of getting her more involved is she will become good enough that she can take the tiller and allow you to "just relax" and enjoy the ride. Also you can train your crew from the start just the way you want.

Good luck and have fun.

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

I totally agree . My wife is an absolute newbie sailor and we started with her on the jib and me on everything else. By giving her stick time without the hassles of sail trim or changing tacks, calling course changes, etc. when she's up to it, she's really coming along. I suggest that you make things smooth for your friend by defining the job, plan out communications beforehand ("If I'm yelling, it's because I don't think you can hear me over the wind ... ) and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER EVER go out in conditions where you're going to freak out because even if she survives, she'll never want to go out again . There is always going to be another opportunity to go out.

For instance, last Friday, my wife and I went out of Marina del Rey in SoCal in about 15 knots, her sixth time out overall. The wind was something we had gotten used to over the summer, but there was a mixed, lumpy swell that made the ride rough and pitchpoling a posibility and she just wasn't happy about things. It was an out-and-back trip and we spent the rest of the afternoon in the harbor in less wind, but enough to practice flying a hull .

The point being, while I would have liked to beat it out on the ocean and go for a wetter and wilder ride, we had a better (more educational [since I'm still getting used to flying a hull] and fun for all) time taking it easy. She is in full agreement that the next time she will be more comfortable dealing with the lumpy stuff and more willing to try something new. Go at things gradually, safely and with a "fun first" attitude and you'll have good crew for life .

PS - another suggestion, rig up full sail and introduce her to the way the boat should be sailed. You'll have problems with boat balance and rigged short, she will have a unrealistic introduction of the way the boat sails, even if you reduce crash tendencies (there are other ways of doing that, anyway). Besides, full sail will pay off big later on and, for whatever reason, chicks seem to love the speed, I'll never get my wife on a monohull now .

I agree, don't sail a 16 with anything but all the canvas up and don't sail in freaky conditions. Just sail easy if that's the way the lady wants it. Travel out and sheet gently. Stay in control but occasionally let her rip on a broad reach with a short burst of speed. The lady will love it. Hell, just go and float around, swim, bring snacks, enjoy the sun. Relax

You may find that, no matter the circumstance, wne helps us reach our intended destination

At the first sign of storm, WE SAIL

_________________
The fact that this windy world is largely covered in water obviously means that man was meant to sail.

gosh darn preview button anyway
Wine, not wne, helps us get where we are headed - if you know what I mean

_________________
The fact that this windy world is largely covered in water obviously means that man was meant to sail.

climbing back on after you right the boat is the problem? What about a rope with a loop on the end for your foot that is tied to the front rail and hangs about a foot or so below the waterline. (you'd have to experiment to see which length is best)

When not in use the loose end could be tied to the tramp

I feel like the brother in-law of the guy who invented the paper clip.

or if it were a guiness commercial

whats that, a rope ladder........"BRILLIANT!!"



Excellent suggestion i think it will work splendedly, thank you.


-- the wealth of information here in the fourms seems almost infinant, I thank all whom contribute.

-Chris

If you put a 3-4" piece of plastic conduit in the loop it's easier on the feet.

hurray rwehuman!!

your history should encourage all other two handed sailors that will think of letting down this sport!

a little suggestion concerning your tacks and jybes: you could try to use a device, similar to those used to grab and hang the stick of a broom, to 'fix' the tiller extension in a position while you change your position in the boat keeping control of the sail

good luck

Like a cam lock?

something like:


turned 80-90º in each side of the aft bar and facing backwards

or

Sold the boat Monday ;- ( As I watched my first boat be pulled out of my driveway I felt like I was watching someone kick my dog..... maybe an Adventure Island is in my future......... I may not have a boat but I'm still a sailor. Fly a hull for me!