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Gearing up for singlehanding

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2013 : 17:30:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by TakeFive
 [quote]Originally posted by dlucier
 ...I considered moving the winches, but I will still do 95% of my sailing with my wife, and she really likes the winches on the cabintop where she can sit in the companionway and control both winches and the traveler from one location. Moving the winches back would eliminate that benefit for 95% of our sailing. So moving the steering location forward with the remote seemed to be a better option...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
One other thing I forgot to mention. My boat came with cam cleats on the coaming (see profile pic for location), right where you would propose moving the winches. I am not sure what they were used for, but it appears that they might have been used for a huge drifter in light air. In light breezes I can run the genoa sheets to those instead of the winches, which is useful for singlehanding from behind the wheel. For a boat this small, the winches are often not needed in light breezes, especially with only a 110.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2013 : 09:14:26

I am thinking of buying this harness from Defender (click picture for link). Comments?
<center>[url="http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|135|88189&id=907280"]

[/url]</center>

Also, I was considering this tether. I want a double for getting around the mast, and I like that the attachment to the harness can be released under load:

<center>[url="http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|135|88189&id=1685883"]

[/url]</center>

However, I have a major concern about using any of the tethers that I have seen. They all are about 6' length (this one is 2 meters). My boat has a beam of 8.5', or 4.25' from the centerline to the widest point. I believe that a 6' tether is too long, and would dangle me down in the water too much if I were to go overboard. I (in my infinite wisdom

) think a 4' length is more appropriate. I have not seen pre-made tethers this short. Also, when they're this short, elastic may not be necessary because, since it will not be long enough to dangle down on the deck. I am considering buying the snap fittings and making my own tether using either halyard/sheet line (I have some brand new 3/8" sheet that I could use) or flat webbing (which I'm going to have to buy anyway for the jackline).

What do you guys think of this? What is your experience with 6' tethers on a 25' boat?

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2013 : 17:28:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by TakeFive
 What do you guys think of this? What is your experience with 6' tethers on a 25' boat?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Depends on where you clip in. If you're clipped to the mast 3' above the deck level (not the coachroof), the line to the rail is 5' long. (...if I remember correctly from 5th grade.) That suggests your feet could get wet... (?)

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Not sure where/how I would clip onto the mast. I was going to follow advice here and attach a jackline at the bow mast, and stern. I will of course do everything to avoid going forward, but if I am forced to (jammed furler, mainsail refuses to drop, etc.), I would clip to the jack line in the cockpit and probably crawl forward to the mast, then attach 2nd tether forward of mast and detach first tether. In this scenario, my most likely way of falling overboard would be sliding under the lifeline, and the jackline would likely be pulled a foot or so toward the side, no matter how tight it is. So I'm looking at 3 feet from the jackline to the side, and so the tether dangles 3 feed down to the water.

Somehow I think a 4' tether would be better. If I wanted to stand up, the jackline would lift from the deck by about 6" or so, and only has to reach to my upper chest for the tether. But I suspect I would avoid standing up unless I had to reach up the mast or mainsail.

I have ZERO experience with this, so I'll welcome your guidance. But I just wonder if these tethers are designed for more typical offshore cruisers in the 34-42 foot range, with a much wider beam.

Edited by - TakeFive on 03/10/2013 17:29:26

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2013 : 19:29:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by TakeFive
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by TakeFive
 What do you guys think of this? What is your experience with 6' tethers on a 25' boat?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Depends on where you clip in. If you're clipped to the mast 3' above the deck level (not the coachroof), the line to the rail is 5' long. (...if I remember correctly from 5th grade.) That suggests your feet could get wet... (?)

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...I'll welcome your guidance. But I just wonder if these tethers are designed for more typical offshore cruisers in the 34-42 foot range, with a much wider beam.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Ya, maybe... Disregard my prior reply.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2013 : 21:32:03

I agree that 6' is pretty long for an 8' beam. Making your own would cost you the indicator stitching; I think you would be better off having a sailmaker modify one if you want webbing. Good, stitched, core to core eye splices in double braid would probably be safer than stitching webbing. I remember some dual tethers that had a 6' leg and a 3' leg. That would be much better if you could find them. .

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2013 : 05:07:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 I remember some dual tethers that had a 6' leg and a 3' leg. That would be much better if you could find them. .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Yes, I remember seeing those too, and had forgotten about them. Aha! I did a quick search and found some! Look at the Kong Double Retractable Tether at Defender. Defender has other brands, too. (Stearns and Wichard; perhaps others.) http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|135|88189& id=1685883

Edited by - Steve Milby on 03/11/2013 05:16:37

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2013 : 06:28:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 I remember some dual tethers that had a 6' leg and a 3' leg. That would be much better if you could find them. .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Yes, I remember seeing those too, and had forgotten about them. Aha! I did a quick search and found some! Look at the Kong Double Retractable Tether at Defender. Defender has other brands, too. (Stearns and Wichard; perhaps others.) http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|135|88189& id=1685883

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
That's the exact same tether that I linked in my original post. I did not realize that one leg of the tether was only 1m long. That would work better IMO. What I had in mind as an alternetive was just to tie polyester double-braid to the clips to make my own tether. However, there's obvious safety benefit to having stitiching designed to fail at a certain load, and the other engineering features. So I'll add this tether to my "wish list" that I plan to order as soon as Defender's warehouse sale starts.

Edited by - TakeFive on 03/11/2013 07:10:55

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2013 : 06:55:13

Do you know when their sale is scheduled? Now that you brought up the subject, I've been wanting to replace my old tethers.

EDIT: Nevermind. I just found out it's March 21-24.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 03/11/2013 11:48:31

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2013 : 11:55:35

Yup--I'll be there--it's quite a scene!

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 03/13/2013 : 04:26:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by TakeFive
 Got the autopilot, and for Christmas got a wireless remote that will allow me steer/tack from the companionway while cranking the cabintop winches.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Although your experience may differ, I've had an autopilot remote for about twelve years now and while it sits at the ready next to the companionway, the reality is, I've not found a practical use for it yet. As a matter of fact, the remote probably hasn't left its holster in at least a decade.

Ever think about moving the cabintop winches to the coaming?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I just realized one reason why the autopilot remote might be very important for singlehanding. My boat has a wheel, which makes it difficult to move forward to adjust sheets. Even if I were to move the winches from the cabin top to the side coamings, this still does not address the issue of releasing the main sheet, which could be very important in gusty conditions. So being able to sit and steer while forward in the cockpit could be important.

Has anyone else thought of a clever way to release the main sheet from behind the wheel? It requires a downward tug on the sheet, which is an angle that cannot be achieved from behind the wheel. I guess if I were to sit astride the wheel I could reach forward with my foot and kick the sheet while maintaining tension in my hand, so that's one way I could do it without the remote control.

Edited by - on

glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2013 : 17:09:54

I was thinking of Rick's request and was wondering if anyone has given thought to the leg straps being marketed that attach to inflatables to keep them from riding up around your ears when deployed. I've read that in rough conditions that can be significant hindrance although I have no experience. IIRC Paul tested his pfd's a year or so ago. Any comments?

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2013 : 06:33:46

When I'm single handed sailing with the wheel I set beside the wheel, not behind it. That makes it easy to reach the genoa winches and the mainsheet and traveller controls. It looks like your traveller is in the same place as mine (just in front of the companionway). I'm really only behind the wheel when motoring.

I've even sailed from inside the dodger, reaching backwards to reach the wheel.

My Pearson is well balanced and I'm comfortable moving away from the wheel even in heavy weather for short periods without an autopilot. I still have plans to get an autopilot, though I'm in sticker shock...basic wheel units cost 3x as much as a basic tiller unit.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
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Response Posted - 03/18/2013 : 06:58:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by awetmore
 When I'm single handed sailing with the wheel I set beside the wheel, not behind it. That makes it easy to reach the genoa winches and the mainsheet and traveller controls. It looks like your traveller is in the same place as mine (just in front of the companionway). I'm really only behind the wheel when motoring.

I've even sailed from inside the dodger, reaching backwards to reach the wheel.

My Pearson is well balanced and I'm comfortable moving away from the wheel even in heavy weather for short periods without an autopilot. I still have plans to get an autopilot, though I'm in sticker shock...basic wheel units cost 3x as much as a basic tiller unit.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Those are good points, and last year I started sitting to the side of the wheel much more frequently. From what I recall shopping for Pearsons, my C250 cockpit is a bit longer, so I will not be able to reach the winches without letting go. But I would be able to reach the mainsheet with my foot if I need to release it, and I have autopilot with wireless remote if I need to go further forward in the cockpit to adjust the winches.

The balance of my rig has also improved greatly since reducing the mast rake last year, so under steady sailing conditions (no gusts or swell) I can let go of the wheel without autopilot assist.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
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Response Posted - 03/21/2013 : 20:28:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Unsinkable2
 I use a mustang (self inflating, integrated harness). It's comfortable to wear so I'm nottempted to go without it.
I have a small knife clipped to the pfd (locks in its sheath, blunt nose to prevent accidental stab/puncture).
In the pfd, I have a strobe...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The Defender sale is going on right now, and I plan to order a Mustang PFD with integrated harness. I'd also like to order a strobe, but not sure [url="http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|135|320544&id=9312"]which of the many ones[/url] to order. What strobe do you have? I see from Mustang's photos that there is a little strap on the inflatable bladder to hold it on the left shoulder. Which model strobe fits there the best?
[url="http://www.mustangsurvival.com/recreational/md3184?country=25"]

[/url]

Edited by - TakeFive on 03/22/2013 05:09:17

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2013 : 04:29:04

While it's not at Defender, this is the water activated strobe I attached to my inflatables, WM $10.99:

[url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_11151_10001_96282_-1?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=96282&cid=sc_googlepla&gclid=COe1-4WbkLYCFQbonAodgGsAgw"]Strobe Light[/url]

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 04/15/2013 : 10:41:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 ...Jacklines rigged on one side to the forward cleat and the aft cleat. I'll ship you the one from my C25 since you are such a fan of my posts. LOL! Seriously though, I have one as a spare that is way too short for my current vessel. I will send it to you if you wish...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Sten - I just attempted to send you an email through the forum email system. Please look for it and let me know if you did/didn't receive it.

Thanks,

Rick

Edited by - on

redviking
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Response Posted - 04/16/2013 : 18:45:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by TakeFive
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 ...Jacklines rigged on one side to the forward cleat and the aft cleat. I'll ship you the one from my C25 since you are such a fan of my posts. LOL! Seriously though, I have one as a spare that is way too short for my current vessel. I will send it to you if you wish...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Sten - I just attempted to send you an email through the forum email system. Please look for it and let me know if you did/didn't receive it.

Thanks,

Rick
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Going to post office in the am.... You be all set....

Be safe....

Sten

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 04/16/2013 : 18:46:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by TakeFive
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 ...Jacklines rigged on one side to the forward cleat and the aft cleat. I'll ship you the one from my C25 since you are such a fan of my posts. LOL! Seriously though, I have one as a spare that is way too short for my current vessel. I will send it to you if you wish...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Sten - I just attempted to send you an email through the forum email system. Please look for it and let me know if you did/didn't receive it.

Thanks,

Rick
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Going to post office in the am.... You be all set....

Be safe....

Sten

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 04/16/2013 : 20:07:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 

Going to post office in the am.... You be all set....

Be safe....

Sten
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Thanks, Sten! I look forward to using it.

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 04/19/2013 : 15:54:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by TakeFive
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 

Going to post office in the am.... You be all set....

Be safe....

Sten
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Thanks, Sten! I look forward to using it.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I will now ship it on Monday... My friend and client Bill Richard, was the one who lost his son, wife and daughter severely injured. Been busy since I found out...

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2013 : 16:14:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by TakeFive
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 

Going to post office in the am.... You be all set....

Be safe....

Sten
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Thanks, Sten! I look forward to using it.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I will now ship it on Monday... My friend and client Bill Richard, was the one who lost his son, wife and daughter severely injured. Been busy since I found out...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Sten,

I'm so sorry to hear of your friends loss and of his families severe injuries. I will pray for all of them!

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2013 : 14:14:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 I will now ship it on Monday... My friend and client Bill Richard, was the one who lost his son, wife and daughter severely injured. Been busy since I found out...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Sten,

My heart sank when I saw this, and I just don't know what to say. It's a small world, and a terrible time for you guys up around Boston. You all are in my prayers.

Please take care of your friends first. The jackline can wait until whenever you're ready to send it. And if you can't get to it, I'll understand.

-- Rick

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
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Response Posted - 04/26/2013 : 10:01:09

Should arrive today... Yeah, amazing how life works out. Back in FL for a couple days... Need to process... Hope you have a good trip....

Sten

Edited by - on

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