Association Forum - Single handing

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Single handing

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Page: of 2

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Member Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/18/2009 : 18:16:47

Do you single hand regularly? We're gearing up for the next "Mainsheet" (thanks to John G.), and I would like to hear from experienced single handers for a feature article. My first thought was an article from one person, but I could blend a series of short articles into a feature if necessary. Please respond by email, not posts, if you would consider contributing. Depending on responses, I'll give guidelines and what ever help is necessary

Dave B. aboard Pearl
1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399
Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2009 : 20:51:11

Dave -- a great idea for a Mainsheet article/series and . . . a great topic for the post. From an expereinced solo sailer, what are THE musts or no-no's when single handling our three very different boats.

Edited by - on

Peregrine
Admiral

Members Avatar

830 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2009 : 21:53:00

Don't thank me.
This is our Commodore and Mainsheet Editors idea.
I look forward to reading it.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2009 : 22:32:30

Don't be bashful John, it was an excellent suggestion to tie a feature to your planned technical article

Edited by - Dave5041 on 02/18/2009 22:33:07

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1520 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2009 : 11:16:10

Dave - What aspects of single-handed sailing are you interested in portraying? Seamanship, equipment, safety, fun solo sailing locales?

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2009 : 17:58:40

Feature articles are more at the fluff end of the scale - whys, destinations, people, personal growth, experiences and fun sailing with a little seamanship and perhaps a brief reference to equipment and setup to give more substance. John can chime in if he wants, but the real nuts and bolts of your preferences in boat setup, equipment, safety, and "how to's" belong to him. The final form of the article, at least mine, will take shape when I see what I get. I asked for email submissions because it will be easier for me to organize and I will forward everything to John. If he wants specific information, he can address it, and I don't need to be in the loop for that.

Edited by - on

hinmo
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
248 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2009 : 05:10:56

I intend to solo alot next year. It is my first sailboat in 20+ years. Not to derail the subject, but I was wondering how to handle the necessary "calls of nature" and trips to the cooler while under full sail when solo.

Never an issue on my power boats.

Edited by - hinmo on 02/20/2009 13:42:12

Peregrine
Admiral

Members Avatar

830 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2009 : 07:37:20

Edited by - Peregrine on 02/20/2009 08:43:25

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2009 : 07:46:36

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2009 : 10:31:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by hinmo
 I intend to solo alot next year. It is my first sailboat in 20+ years. Not to derail the subject, but I was wondering how to handle the necessary "calls of nature" and trips to the cooler while under full sail when solo.

Never issue on my power boats.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">As for the calls of nature, you can heave-to, or, if you just need to empty the bladder, you can get a plastic bottle from a pharmacy that is designed specifically for that purpose, and that is often used by men who aren't very mobile.

On my C25, I eliminated the need to make trips to the cooler. I found a smallish cooler that fit nicely on the cockpit floor, between the seats, and put it back against the transom. A cold drink was always within reach, without ever taking my hand off the tiller.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2009 : 11:20:19

John: Another vote for heaving-to, something you should practice in various winds (because the trim varies with the conditions). On Buzzard's Bay, fixing the tiller while under way with "full sail" won't give you much time! If you're sailing on genny alone and have a roller, you can do a quick roll-up, and then pull it back out. I suggest turning downwind first so you don't end up abeam to the seas, which makes "business" kinda tricky. (You can roll up from just about any point of sail.)

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

Members Avatar

844 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2009 : 12:13:14

Steve, I tried that cooler trick on our C22 in 1983. I didn't have "locking" gudgeons & pintles, the cooler levered the tiller and rudder up and our "steering rig" went overboard! Natch, lotsa wind going downwind, so the engine got us back to the rudder, which, TG, was a floater! Great newbie story. When we got our C25 I made sure the was a retaining clip on the pintles, but never used the cooler idea again, because I'd learned to heave to by then, and then we bought an autopilot.

Edited by - on

glivs
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2009 : 19:23:27

A bungee works great to keep the tiller for short periods...but not all bungees are created equal. I am partial to the flat bungees with the soft nylon shell that are sold at Ace Hardware. I found they hold better than other's I've tried, it's easy to add extra wraps when needed, and they do not abrade the finish on the tiller. fwiw

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2009 : 23:19:23

the harder it is to reach the cooler, the fewer nature calls.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2009 : 07:20:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by glivs
 A bungee works great to keep the tiller for short periods...but not all bungees are created equal. I am partial to the flat bungees with the soft nylon shell that are sold at Ace Hardware. I found they hold better than other's I've tried, it's easy to add extra wraps when needed, and they do not abrade the finish on the tiller. fwiw
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I know most sailors, by far, use bungees to lash their tiller, but I had much better results using a piece of line than a stretchable bungee. Nylon or dacron line doesn't stretch appreciably when used to lash a tiller. Therefore, it holds the rudder at a fixed angle of attack. A bungee stretches with the slightest change in windspeed or wind direction, or change in the distribution of crew weight, and it allows the tiller to turn, which allows a significant change in the rudder's angle of attack, and consequently a change of course that is greater than you want.

The simplest, most functional self-steering device of it's type is the Tiller Tamer. It is simply a way of lashing the tiller with a piece of low-stretch line that doesn't allow for stretch. It's main advantage over a plain piece of nylon or dacron line is that it has a device that enables you to release the line quickly when you need to change course.

The problem with using stretchy bungee is that the amount of stretch that you need on any given day is proportionate to the strength of the wind and of the gusts on that day, and there's no good way of adjusting that amount of stretchiness with any reasonable degree of accuracy.

Years ago, I heard that some guys had some success using surgical tubing to lash their tillers, because it was less stretchy than bungees, but it would yield slightly in a strong gust. I never tried it, but always thought it made sense. I think you can buy it at a pharmacy, if anyone wants to try it.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 02/21/2009 07:23:22

Walt Oler
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2009 : 07:38:25

Here is a really simple way to lash a tiller that the author refers to as a "Cajun Tiller Tamer." I like it because I (rather the captain) won't have to make a new tiller cover that will fit over a hardware tiller tamer.

http://www.blumhorst.com/potterpages/Photopoint/0005/cajun-tiller-tamer.htm

Edited by - Walt Oler on 02/21/2009 07:43:46

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2009 : 17:04:05

Something better than bungee cord is 1/4" surgical tubing. It is stiffer than the standard bungee but not as stiff as the black stuff that truckers use.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2009 : 17:12:59

Our PO created a handy device and we think it works just fine. Using about 7' of bungee type material (purchased by the foot), create a 6" eye in both ends using the proper bungee type crimps. Trim your sails until they can hold the course you want with the tiller nearly centered, then slip one eye onto the tiller handle, run across to a vertical of the stern pulpit, then back to the tiller, take a wrap around the tiller, then to the other side pulpit standard, around it, and then back to the tiller, slipping on the second eye. It's more difficult to explain than operate... This method allows for the tiller to move a little when necessary, but return to where set, the beauty is that you can 'over power' the cord when necessary to adjust the tiller, and there is no device to loosen-tighten-loosen.

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

Members Avatar

844 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2009 : 17:25:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 Please respond by email, not posts, if you would consider contributing. Depending on responses, I'll give guidelines and what ever help is necessary
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Nice discussion here, but how about what Dave asked for to begin with?

Edited by - on

Peregrine
Admiral

Members Avatar

830 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2009 : 19:21:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Walt Oler
 Here is a really simple way to lash a tiller that the author refers to as a "Cajun Tiller Tamer." I like it because I (rather the captain) won't have to make a new tiller cover that will fit over a hardware tiller tamer.

http://www.blumhorst.com/potterpages/Photopoint/0005/cajun-tiller-tamer.htm
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Sailors have used this method with line for ages, pre bungee, and since the line doesn't stretch it holds the tiller more firmly.
I like the bungee because it has some play.
If I need some adjustment I can just shove the tiller one way or the other stretching the bungee and then let it go back to center. I have sailed some distance this way just touching the tiller now and then.
If you look at the technique of the "Cajun" tamer (sorry Cajun's I think this technique is millennia older than the delta) it is moved forward to "lock" the tiller.
My bungee has loops at each end for the cleats and a very tight, fixed loop in the center that grips the tiller. The more I slide it forward the tighter it holds the course.
I have found it adequate for most situations, but I don't have to leave the cockpit to raise/lower sails or reef (more on that in the article).
As for [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaving_to"]Heaving To

Edited by - Peregrine on 02/21/2009 19:39:21

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2009 : 19:54:02

I wrapped the bungee about three times aroud the tiller so that momentary changes could be made by pushing the tiller (stretching the bungee), and "permanent" adjustments could be made by grabbing the wraps and twisting them on the tiller. That allowed for changes for different tacks. Like some others, when the wraps were pulled back, the system went slack--when pulled forward, it was engaged. If I had the boat now, it'd have a tiller-pilot.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2009 : 18:50:17

Wind abeam or forward and with a smallish jib: lead the sheet through a snatch block to the aft portion of the tiller and a few wraps of bungee from a more forward portion of the tiller to a windward cleat. If the boat rounds up, pressure on the jib falls and the bungee pulls the tiller and turns off the wind until it balances. The opposite if you fall off the wind. I've done it on other boats to try it, but not on Pearl. It works to a degree, but that is why the windvane was invented. I'm not recommending it, just mentioning it. If you are going to be off watch for that long, I agree with heaving to.

Edited by - on

Even Chance
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
393 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2009 : 06:44:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by hinmo
 I intend to solo alot next year. It is my first sailboat in 20+ years. Not to derail the subject, but I was wondering how to handle the necessary "calls of nature" and trips to the cooler while under full sail when solo.

Never an issue on my power boats.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I am an enthusiastic advocate of tillerpilots. I never found a tiller tamer to be of much use except for a few moments in light wind. I singlehand most of the time, and have no problems going below, going forward, or just relaxing with the tillerpilot engaged in most situations. The principal exception is large following seas (the tillerpilot just can't compensate for the slewing of the stern).

As for the amount of time below, the general rule of thumb is to pop up and do a 360 scan every ten minutes. The horizon is about 4 miles off from deck level. Except for oncoming very fast powerboats, scanning every ten minutes will keep you reasonably safe.

When cruising, holding the tiller for hours on end gets pretty tedious. A tillerpilot makes life much more enjoyable.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2009 : 10:26:08

I have a bungee cord gizmo, called a [url="http://www.widgetsailor.com/myboat/rudder/tjock.html"]Tiller Jock[/url], made up expressly for the purpose of holding the tiller, have used it successfully on the C-22 but have not tried it yet on the C-25. It has plastic spring hooks on each end to slip over a cleat horn or stanchion base, and there is a second slightly shorter piece of bungee cord crimped to the long one. Around both pieces of bungee cord are two wooden adjusting balls. The tiller goes between the two bungees and the wooden balls slide up to the tiller on each side holding it in place. Since it is bungee, there is some play, but that can be lessened by tightening the bungee by taking a wrap around one of the cleats. To release, just slide each ball back away from the tiller. Unlike the one pictured in the link, mine has the two bungees crimped together
You could make one up, crimping a loop on each end or just wrap it around the cleats, making it as tighter for stronger wind conditions.

Edited by - dmpilc on 02/23/2009 10:44:34

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2009 : 10:52:30

Here's another [url="http://www.daysailer.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1659"]one[/url] that looks interesting. I've got all of the parts already, so I may try it.

Edited by - dmpilc on 02/23/2009 10:54:37

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2009 : 11:18:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 Here's another [url="http://www.daysailer.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1659"]one[/url] that looks interesting. I've got all of the parts already, so I may try it.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Before you implement the "drill, baby, drill" policy on your tiller, you might want to look at the "Tiller Snapped" topic in the C250 forum.

Edited by - on

Page: of 2

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.