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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

SUNGLE HANDING

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gerdo
Navigator

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107 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/16/2002 : 12:59:41

Hello again. 1982 sk std C25. relatively new to sailing and to boat but learning. Next step is to single hand. Need advice on best ways to rig to single hand. Boat has genny furler. What else is recommended?

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2002 : 13:33:17

1) Cam cleats for the foresail sheets
2) "Wincher Self-Tailers"
3) Jiffy reefing
3) Running halyards, reefing and boom vang lines back to the cockpit along with a cabin top winch and rope clutches
4) Install a tiller tamer or stick the tiller up your ass <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
5) Install a pully system for the outhaul
6) Longer cord on the VHF radio
7) Lazy-jacks

Hardware that you can adjust and set quickly.

Steve Madsen
#2428
<img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>J (Ode to Joy)

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gerdo
Navigator

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107 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2002 : 15:11:07

thanks. sounds like a lot but taken one at a time I can do it.

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Clay
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2002 : 16:48:35

I think the roller furling is probably the best innovation to modern sailing and a terrific tool for single handling. The Catalina 25 is very easy to single hand and you don’t need special rigging to get started. In fact I’m sailing "single handed" most of the time anyway, even when I have company. Heaving to is a very useful tactic to master if you need to go below or leave the cockpit. If you are going to cruise any distance or passage you might want to look at an auto pilot and some of the other accessories OJ mentioned. Otherwise for a day sail your 25 should not be a problem. You may not tack a smartly as you would with a crew but you’ll discover there’s a rhythm that comes with practice and will soon be comfortable handling the sails alone. Just be safety minded, don’t take chances on the deck. Keep your pfd and a tether handy. Remember if you fall off there’s no one left to run the “man overboard drill”. Go for it & have fun.

Clay
#5549 Savannah

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2002 : 17:41:29

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Remember if you fall off there’s no one left to run the “man overboard drill”.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
That's why, if I were using an autopilot or tiller tamer singlehanded (which I don't), I'd also use a jackline except when below.

I'd say the priority items are (1) the roller furling you already have, (2) the main halyard led aft, and (3) reefing line(s) led aft. To that, I plan to add a down-halyard or dousing line (led aft) so I can get the main all the way down, even if not "properly" flaked, from the cockpit. I'm also sold on clam (not cam) cleats for the jib sheets--the blue rubber Winchers are a nice idea, but the size for my winches does not accommodate the size of my sheets, and the clams will be even more convenient.

Like Clay, even though I haven't sailed Passage alone, I want the boat to be singlehandable (new word?) in case something happens--whether MOB or an emergency on board. In particular, I want the Admiral to be able to douse the canvas and start the motor herself.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT

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Greg Jackson
1st Mate

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84 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2002 : 20:38:49

Single handed?

I have done thousands of miles single handed, including a singlehanded 330 mile race. If you already have roller furling, the priorities are:

1) Autopilot
2) Autopilot
3) Autopilot
4) All that line stuff, with stoppers, slab reefing, et cetera

In practical terms, there is one additional item that comes before priority #1, that involves staying alive. If you are in protected/warm waters and within a couple miles of shore, then you should always wear a PFD. If you sail in cold, unprotected, or open water, then you should NEVER go on deck without a harness and tether. If you are sailing solo and fall overboard in cold, unprotected, or offshore waters, then you're dead. It may take an hour or more for the death process to come to completion, but that is of little consequence. The fact of the matter is that you are as good as dead as soon as you become detached from the boat.

Greg Jackson
S.V. Compass Rose

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Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2002 : 09:55:15

I'd like to echo the importance of an autopilot for singlehanding. My experience was that tiller tamers and the like didn't keep the boat sufficiently on course to really go below to the head, or go forward to clear a fouled line, or whatever. It's not just that holding a tiller for hours on end becomes deadly dull: an autopilot allows you to do navigation, get something to drink, raise or lower sails, and whatever without worrying about an accidental tack or gybe. It allows me to wrap and cover sails while motoring back into port. It also allows me to go sit at the base of the mast, or stretch out on the foredeck and listen to the gurgle of the water at the bow.

If I had to choose between running all lines to the cockpit and the autopilot, it would be a very tough decision. Do both!

Brooke

Edited by - on

jellyfish
Navigator

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USA
171 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2002 : 10:53:20

I single hand my boat all the time. I disagree about the tiller tamer. It allows me all the time I need to preform the "must dos" around the boat. I cant afford furling so a simple down haul rig works well. I cant afford an auto pilot so the tiller tamer works well. I sail in warm(most of the time) waters. Timing is everything when sailing alone. Learn the order of things and you will be fine.

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Sidurian
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2002 : 13:58:11

I have all my lines running back to the cockpit via clutches; I still am debating installing winches on the cabin top (what for?) but believe the downhaul has saved my sorry butt a couple of times in strong winds.

One thing I'd change: Lazy Jacks to Dutchman Flaking System

One thing I'd add: Automatic winch with limit switches for the swing keel - the up/down button would be in the coamings. :)

There's always something!

Edited by - on

sbohlin
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2002 : 15:55:42

Gerdo, where is your sailing area?

I have noticed that everyone is on the autopilot/tiller tamer bandwagon but it really depends upon your sailing area.

I sail in tidal areas like coastal rivers and sounds where the tide shifts seven feet at six knots. The rivers are narrow, meandering and the sounds are shallow until you are well at sea and past the barrier Islands. A good three to six hour sail depending on conditions.

Since we are located on the intracoastal water way it is not unusual for us to see boats of every size from other areas aground due to autopilots and the lack of depth sounders.

I agree about leading all lines to the cockpit, lazy jacks and good cam or jam cleats, however I think an autopilot or tiller tamer would be extremely dangerous in similar conditions. If you're in the great lakes or extremely close to blue water an autopilot is fine.

As members of this board, we should not overlook the fact that we all sail in different areas and the only thing that's universal to all of us is that we all sail Catalina 25s.

Stephen Bohlin

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2002 : 20:47:30

Gerdo,

Interesting posts but with all respect to our brother Greg Jackson, I think his order of modifications is backwards. At least if you sail on a budget like me (and Jellyfish), an autopilot is a neet thing to lust after.

I sail SF Bay. It ain't too long or wide, but right now (5pm) there's 25mph winds, gusting to 35 and 4ft breaking waves around Alcatraz, typical summer afternoon. I chose to get the running rigging led to the cockpit and the standing rigging upgraded and tough. I can only imagine a 350 mile sail, how cool. An all day'er for me is sometimes only 30, starting off with light airs and winding up with my second reef pulled down and the roller furler handkercheif sized (well, nearly).

Of course, if price is not an issue, think of all the cool stuff I need...Autohelm, Bruce second anchor......guess that's it. Oh, yeah,
a better music system and extension speakers...uh...gotta be something else to spend my boat units on. But not a bigger boat...Jim's law says that the time sailing is in inverse proportion to the lwl of the boat.

Jim Williams - San Francisco
Hey Jude
C25fk #2958

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2002 : 03:46:34

If your just starting out! I would say lots of sailing practice. You can single hand without all the wistles and bells. Almost every famous sailor who has a book writen about them has sailed around the world with out all the extras. Yes they are nice but they arent a must have item. The realy valuable items are those that will make it easy for you to get sails up or down or reefed. Add things as you go and find out what works for you. You already have a roller furler. I would say jiffy reefing, lines led aft, and lazy jacks should do it for now.

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.

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gerdo
Navigator

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107 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2002 : 12:49:26

Thanks to all. I sail out of Herrington Harbor NORTH into the Chesapeake Bay. It is south of Annapolis about 20 miles. Other than too many stink pots blasting by, the sailing is great. I get out once a week. Last Saturday was great, when ever the cable is humming I'm happy.

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Kirk McKay
Navigator

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USA
111 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2002 : 13:26:16

Saturday was nice out there. We went out from just across the creek from you Gerdo! Plenty of wind and not real hot. I can't figure out what it's going to be like this weekend???

Kirk

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jellyfish
Navigator

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USA
171 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2002 : 14:45:46

great topic and great replies, I would like to add just a couple points 1) I use my tiller tamer just like I would with a novice who I just asked to hold the tiller for a moment while I run below, in other words I dont take my eye off her for very long! 2)I have my hand held VHS strapped to my butt. Just like the AMX, dont leave home without it!!!!!!

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Todd Frye
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2002 : 11:55:42

As a lake sailor, having installed an ST 2000 this season, I am quite impressed with the options this addition has given me. We have had guests out on the lake at night (watching the space shuttle...wow) and in all the excitement, lost my usual reference points. By plugging in my "inbound" waypoint and adjusting the auto pilot, we set a straight course back home. Also, while out solo in 25 knot winds, I can easily adjust my sails, which has accelerated my knowledge of how the boat sails during specific conditions. I have started a log book, recording wind speed and direction, point of sail, sail trim and resultant speed. As was mentioned earlier...always hook up to your jack line when using an auto pilot. I am opting not to lead lines aft as the auto pilot allows me the freedom to move wherever I want. When conditions permit, my favorite spot is actually sitting aft on the bow pulpit, watching the boat work and the sun go down.Happy sailing. Todd Frye

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2002 : 20:05:19

I have to agree that an autopilot makes life a lot easier when singlehanding. On my old boat, I did not have an autopilot. Additionally, I had neither a roller furler nor were my halyards led aft. Singlehanding this boat at first was a chore, but after I got used to it, it was not that difficult.

On the new boat, I have roller furling, an autopilot, lines led aft, fixed keel...etc, and I find myself using the boat considerably more because of all these niceties. Instead of the dance I used to do, now I pull on the main halyard and pop the furler, and bang, I'm sailing. It doesn't get easier than that. If you have neither a roller furler nor an autopilot, I would opt for the autopilot first since it will aid sailhandling and it is not that expensive(I paid $399.00). Also, an autopilot makes sailing considerably safer. I don't have accidental gybes anymore when I race forward to set or douse a sail. I've used my autopilot in 50mph winds and 6 foot seas to keep the boat head-to-wind while I dropped and stowed sails(try that with a tiller tamer!) When coming into a new marina, I can go to the cabin and hail the harbormaster on the VHF without fear of veering off course in a channel. Of all the sailors I know, almost all say that an autopilot is, without question, the single most helpful device one can use when singlehanding and I agree.

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - dlucier on 07/22/2002 23:27:34

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2002 : 22:23:23

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
...an autopilot is, without question, the single most helpful device one can used...
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
That, or an Admiral! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2002 : 23:23:01

"That, or an Admiral!" - Dave Bristle

If you use an Admiral, then you are not singlehanding! Uh,...we are talking about sailing, right?

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2002 : 10:01:21

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
If you use an Admiral, then you are not singlehanding! Uh,...we are talking about sailing, right?
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
OK Don, this is mixed company, and children may even be looking in! <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT

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jellyfish
Navigator

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USA
171 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2002 : 12:15:56

sailing with some "admirals" I know is the same as single handing, maybe even shorter than single handed!<img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

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