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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Any good books on Solo Sailing?

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/23/2006 : 20:09:31

I will compete in my first race on the 9th of September and want to make sure I am prepared. In adding to the two day long single races in September I have to sail a minimum of 100nm and be out for a minimum of 24 straight to qualify for next years solo Macinaw (sp) I want to get the qualifier out of the way this year so I will know what mods I need to make over the winter. Cheers.

Dennis
No Boat
S.E. Michigan

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2006 : 13:36:03

There is much you can do to make things really comfortable single handing. The primary thing you need to be able to do though is to leave the tiller while under sail. A "Tiller Tamer" is ok, but an autopilot is best. They are easy to install and available for less then $500 if you shop round. If you get one, get one rated for one boat size larger than the C25. it will cost more but will handle your boat better. Mine is from Simrad and works OK. No electric pilot will handle your boat adequately in extreme weather though.

Of second most importance, from a safety standpoint, is the ability to reef the main at least once. Twice is better.There are a number of posts in the archives on how to do this. Mostly, once you have an idea of what is needed, the project is personnal preferance.I can explain my design via email if you would like.

Having all your lines led back to the cockpit and roller furling are also nice, particularly in rough weather. The foredeck on a C25 is too small an area to be bounced around on, especially at night. If you don't have either one I would add a storm sail of about 60% or less, and "jack lines" to clip your harness onto when you go forward. I have also added additional harness attachment points in the cockpit. I installed roller furling last year and wouldn't be without it now.

I have also installed a rigid boom vang for one reason, it keeps the boom out of the cockpit when reefing. A topping lift is fine for the job, however, the vang eliminates the extra reefing step - tightening the topping lift, from a presumably already tense situation, and eliminates the boom bouncing around your ears.

The final nice to have essential is a chart plotter if you are doing any long distance sailing. it's always nice to think that you can go below and do all kinds of navigation chart work but, on a small boat in most weather, you are bouncing around too much to leave the cockpit for any great length of time. It's best to be able to do it right in the cockpit using a chart plotter. Mine is a Magellan FX324 color plotter. It works very well although the map chips run around $150. John Vining also has one and also likes it. We used it during the Nationals this year for the night race and hit every mark exactly. Garmin seems to be the most popular, though I'm not convinced the best.

Those to me are the equipment essentials that I've installed on my boat for single handing. There are other less obvious additions for cruising like a spare anchor, spare parts, light bulbs, flashlights with red lense, etc. that are also helpful. I'm sure others will add to the list. Note that most everything is primarily to keep you in the boat and sailing safely. Be prepared to be awake for many hours when long distance racing alone. I've been awake for as many as 28 hours in one particular overnight race. So fatigue will also be a safety factor you will have to deal with.

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2006 : 15:56:04

Tristan Jone's books are favorites of mine.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2006 : 20:42:13

How about my personal hero and role model Bernard Moitessier? Read them in order

Sailing to the Reefs
Cape Horn the Logical Route
The Long Way
Tamata and the Alliance

Unlike Tristan Jones he was real.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2006 : 20:51:40

Hi Al, I have done most of that stuff, except for the tiller tamer and Jack Lines and ridgid vang. I've routed all my lines to the cockpit, can pull two reefs from the cockpit and have a furler. I have the Garmin 172C chartplotter and the Garmin 160 fishfinder for depth.

Thanks Jim and Rick for your suggestions. My wife works at Borders Book and I will get her on the case with her discounts. Cheers.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.