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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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First Time Single Handling

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Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/07/2006 : 10:24:20

After repairing my outboard on Saturday I went for a nice sail by myself. Originally I didn’t intend on sailing since I thought I’d be making repairs all day, so I had no crew lined up. I couldn’t pass up on some excellent weather to try single handling for the first time, so I got everything ready to go. I just installed my Davis Tiller Stay and cam cleats the previous weekend, which make single handling possible and much easier. Before I leave my slip, I always try to make sure everything is ready to go, main halyard connected and free, cushions out, and everything accessible. I left my slip which went well. I have a bulkhead slip, pretty much like parallel parking since I have a boat in front and back of mine. Luckily my marina is very well protected and I removed all the lines and pushed the stern out. Then I just reverse out into the channel and head on out. I then motored out to the West River, pointed into the wind and set my new tiller stay. I went to raise the main, but the wire was caught on a screw that is sticking out my mast where a steaming light was once mounted. Just my luck, it rarely happens. I went below and got my boat hook, couldn’t quite get the hook around the wire and the wind was turning me towards shallow waters. I get back to the helm and redirect myself and try again. It took several tries to free it, but I finally did. I then attempted to raise the main again, this time it got caught on one of the bolts extending from the spreader sockets! HAHA Just my luck again. I was able to shake it free after a few times and then quickly raise the main, cleat it and get back in the cockpit. I shut off the outboard and opened up the genoa. Then I just sat back and relaxed. Winds were supposed to be 5-10 knots, so it was pretty calm. I was cruising 2-3 knots just tacking back and forth close hauled up the channel. Tacking single handling wasn't difficult at all. The main tacks by itself and I just had to take care of the jib sheets. The bimini provided plenty of shade making the 90+F day comfortable. I was out for about an hour and a half when the wind pretty much died. I then fired up the outboard and motored the rest of the way back to port. Here I am and no one is at the helm!

I was sailing directly downwind with my main lowered and genoa pulling me back to port, that’s why the main sheet is tight. I really like the tiller stay. It doesn't hold a course like the electronic AutoTillers, but for short times and $25, it works good enough. It's so convenient to be able to let go of the tiller go grab something in the cabin, lower the keel, or do what ever and still mostly stay on course.

Coming back to my marina I docked just right. I have a bow line knot tied into my stern line that I can drop over a winch to stop me from hitting the boat in front of mine. I had no problems and just completed my first time single handling successfully! Saturday was a great day for me since I accomplished this along with repairing my engine. I then finally applied a coat of Wood Pro to my cockpit trim.

I’ve been meaning to do this for months, especially since I originally refinished the other teak in January and February when I first bought my boat. I'll put a total of 4 coats on, hopefully finish this coming weekend. Sunday my brother Chris joined me, so I had a great weekend out sailing and being on my boat.

Justin
Previous Owner of Sapphire Breeze - 1982 Catalina 25 SK/SR
My sail blog site: https://reveriesailing.com/

Edited by - Justin on 08/07/2006 11:58:56

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 11:02:52

Kudos on the first time singlehanding your boat Justin. As you become more comfortable doing so, you'll find that it will greatly increase your time on the water when others aren't available to go. I singlehand about 95 percent of the time I sail and I find the solitude and independence very relaxing and fun. (Quite honestly, I prefer singlehanding)

Question...You said while raising the main, the wire got caught on the mast. Do you have wire-to-rope halyards? If so, lose them at the earliest opportunity.

Edited by - dlucier on 08/07/2006 11:03:32

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 11:15:31

Don, yup I have the wire to rope halyards. It's on my list of many projects to still complete along with... adjustable boom topping lift, adjustable outhaul, fix all navigation lights, add steaming/deck light, add solar system, install stereo, get the holding tank plumbed correctly, thoroughly inspect/replace keel hardware, oh the list goes on and on.

I'm slowly getting projects completed as my budget permits and in the mean time, I'm trying to get in lots of sailing.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 11:36:57

I love single handing the C25. If it is light wind, I always get the main up in the slip. One less thing to worry about out there and it doesn't really affect backing out and turning.

If the wind was 10 to 15 I would leave it down. 5 to 10? No problem.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 15:39:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimB517
 If it is light wind, I always get the main up in the slip. One less thing to worry about out there and it doesn't really affect backing out and turning. If the wind was 10 to 15 I would leave it down. 5 to 10? No problem.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I dunno... In his "parallel parking" situation it could be a little tricky. And Justin has a way to go before he has your experience around the docks, Jim. I've seen you--you make it look easier than it is.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 16:12:02

Justin, I have done a lot of things, (upgrades), to the two Catalina 25s I have owned. The very first thing I did on my 82 was order new rope halyards from layline.com I consider the wire to rope halyard as dangerous because of the thimble catching under the spreader mounts and forcing a single hander onto the deck in high wind or a storm. Considering who sails with most of us, (if anyone at all), we singlehand almost everytime we sail. You being at the mast in a storm is the last place your passengers want you to be!

Frank

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 18:41:29

Good job Justin. I have been soloing for a couple months now. I finally got all my lines working in the cockpit so I thought I would not have to go forward any longer. But, my wire haylard hangs on everything. That is the first project this fall. I really enjoy solo. Cheers.

Edited by - on

DaveC25
Navigator

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USA
152 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 14:04:45

I have to change mine to all-rope halyards also. My wire-to-rope halyard catches at the spreader almost every time I raise the main....well, not every time...in light air when there's no hurry it goes up without a problem.... only when I need to hurry does it get caught.

-DaveC25

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Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 14:11:44

I used to have lazyjacks on the Capri 25, The headboard of the sail would get caught up on the top side of the jack line, it was a real PITA if the winds were up. You could probley get around this by having someone at the mast helping with the luff of the sail, Try and keep pressure on the luff so the halyard stays closer to the center of the mast. I had wire to rope halyards on our SJ24, I hated them, I would rather get a rope burn than wire.

Mike are you installing the Furler this weekend?

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2006 : 19:00:45

I've got wire to rope halyards too. I'm thinking I'll need to drop the mast to make the change? Does the sheave at the mast head change also?
Jerry

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2006 : 19:06:44

"I'm thinking I'll need to drop the mast to make the change? Does the sheave at the mast head change also?"

Yes, the sheave for line halyards has a much wider groove than the wire sheave. I used the ones made by Belpat Marine. Easy swap and makes for a good opportunity to 'renew' the masthead fitting. (remove corrosion, reset screws with never-seize etc.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2006 : 19:24:37

I have heard from others that when I make this change, I should route the lines inside the mast, but my masthead is solid on top....so is it ok to drill this out? CHeers.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2006 : 13:51:55

I replaced my wire-rope halyards a few years ago. I have 3/16 V-12 center spliced to 3/8. I replaced my sheaves with Catalina Direct sheaves for 3/16 with the mast down. I left all lines external to the mast.

Personally I don't think changing to internal lines is worth the work.

If I did it again I'd just get 5/16 sheaves and run 5/16 line the whole way. 3/16 line, although incredible strong, chafes easily and degrades in UV. I made my lines 3 feet too long and have been cutting off a little at a time.

As to getting the boat out of the slip with the main up, I dock head to wind. With the main up, it actually assists turning the boat. Slack the mainsheet and the sail just points downwind.

If you don't want to do that, pull the sail all the way up in the slip, then drop it so the head of the sail is at the spreaders. There will be no drive at all in the sail while you back out.

Edited by - on

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