Single-handed
Sailing What do you do when you are at the office staring at the wind blown trees inviting you to take your Catalina 22 for a ride? You go sailing! Oh, and what if you do not have a crew? You go SINGLE-HAND sailing! I have found great pleasure modifying ‘Se Plaire’ (#14411) for single-handed sailing on Lake Lanier. The modifications presented below make it easier for me to cruise and race both single handed and with ‘Se Plaire’s’ REAL captain - Denise.
When rigging ‘Se Plaire’ for single handed sailing, safety was my primary concern. Leaving the security of the cockpit to go forward or below had to be minimized. Lead all lines to cockpit - The jib/genoa and mainsail internal halyards, boomvang line, and boom downhaul are all lead to the cockpit. Clam cleats were added to improve control and allow for quick release, if necessary. Jib/Genoa Down Haul - Going forward to lower the jib/genoa when exhausted is not always a good idea when sailing single-handed. A jib/genoa downhaul, secured to the haylards at the head of the forward sail, down along the forward stay, then routed through three blocks attached to the base of the bow pulpit and two portside stanchions, then cleated along the cockpit coaming allows me to quickly drop the forward sail regardless of wind and weather conditions. To quickly lower the forward sail, I tack, keep the sheet cleated, release the jib/genoa halyard, then pull on the down haul and the sail lands nicely on the forward deck of the boat. Jib/Genoa Sheet Cheekblock - In winds greater than 12-15 knots, sitting on the leeward side of the boat grinding in the jib/genoa sheet and cleating it single-handed is a challenge that I prefer to avoid. Instead, the leeward jib/genoa sheet is lead from the leeward track car to a cheek block located 9 inches forward of the leeward winch. The sheet then takes a 90 degree turn across the cockpit to the windward winch and cleat. This allows me to always keep my weight on the windward side of the cockpit and obtain a "power" grip to bring in the sheet without making a spectacle of myself. Applying pressure on the sheet passing across the cockpit allows me to bring in the sail even more. Tiller Tamer - If you want to single hand sail, this is a must. I’ve enjoyed greater freedom of movement with my tiller tamer. A must when setting the Whisker pole or when mother nature calls. Harness - Although I have been fortunate to have never fallen overboard when single-hand sailing, it is better to be prepared. A harness with a 50 foot line secured to the mast vertical support bar located in the cabin provides me with security knowing that I can get back to the boat in the event that I should take a spill. Keep in mind that with the tiller tamer set, "Se Plaire’ can keep going, and going, and going without her captain. I’d at least like to know where she is going in the event of a mutiny. Battery Box - The battery box is located in the starboard cockpit locker. I’ve added an additional battery box to hold lines, horn, whistle, first-aid kit, and flashlight. The addition box provides me with quick access to items that I might need in a panic situation. Rigging "Se Plaire" for single-hand sailing has made sailing a lot easier for my first mate. It has been a lot of fun too! |