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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Solo Race/Cruise

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/26/2005 : 10:37:26

As we become more skilled at our sport many of us tend to gravitate toward solo sailing. I am no exception. I began racing our weekly club races solo last year. I don't win or place, but I do at least show. I have gotten a reputation in our group as a capable single-handed sailor and am getting better at racing. My real goal is single-handed cruising however. This past weekend I decided to celebrate my 56th birthday by participating in a 60 mile overnight club race/cruise single-handed. I was the only 25 footer in a 7-boat fleet (2x28's Tartan & Laser, 1x30 S2, 2x36's Morgan and Hunter, and a Santa Cruz 40). I came in dead last of course but, the racing part was immaterial to me. My goal was to get there on my own.

Those who followed my sail with John Vining around the Keweenaw Peninsula in the UP of Michigan this summer will have an idea of my eventual route around the peninsula. One hundred seventy-eight miles and two glorious nights on Lake Superior later, I arrived back at my home mooring, dog tired but darn satisfied. I will dispence with the details unless you want the down and dirty version of the voyage. I will say though that I enjoyed it immensly, particularly the night sailing. My new Magellon chart-plotter worked flawlessly to keep me out of trouble. My Simrad TP10 tiller pilot failed me however and I had to tend the tiller for 99% of the trip. Anyone planning to single-hand on a cruise such as this should have both items of equipment. After I get my Simrad repaired I intend using it as a spare and buy a new one. Amazingly, my wife concurs.

One anecdote is in order. We began the race (cruise?) at 10 pm Friday night. Winds were very light, less than 5 mph. In the next eight hours I experienced a fabulous sunset, moonrise, full moon, moon set, and sunrise, all in a 12 mile stretch of coast.This experience alone will bring me back to night sailing. Enough said.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

Al Eckhart
GALLIVANT #5801
'88TR

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2005 : 10:44:59

Do put up some photos and a voyage narrative! Most of us have never, and will never, cruise in those waters. I'd love to see more.

As to solo sailing, at least everyone on board is always having fun!

I am just about to head north for my 600 mile solo, 3-week voyage.

Lines led aft and roller furling are 2 more very nice solo sailing upgrades.

Edited by - on

Don B
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2005 : 11:14:21

Please do post your photos and narrative. A great thanks to people like Al, Jim, and all others who share their experience with us newbies. Your stories help us step outside our comfort zone and push our horizon a little further each time we get under way.

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2005 : 12:33:07

Another one who would like the down and dirty of the trip. I've been single handing Swimmer since the beginning of July and am still quite a novice, but I hope to do some similar voyages to yours in the coming years, should I have them.

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takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2005 : 14:39:28

Al - Glad to hear that you're enjoying single-handing. I'd like pictures and details too!

I just got back from a 10 day trip that involved single-handed deliveries at both ends (then Jessica joined me for the meat of it). I did 40 miles one way - raced the next two days double-handed, cruised for a week (well, I got off the boat last Monday to check in at the office), raced again the next weekend, and single handed home. Got to spend 5 hours in 20 knots offshore making 6 knots through the water on a close reach with Otto driving. Utterly awesome experience.

Hey Rick - when you coming our way? Tako kichi is on Tom's mooring, so ours is ready for you!

jwa

Edited by - takokichi on 07/26/2005 20:35:51

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2005 : 15:06:52

I agree, there is nothing like solo sailing, which I pretty much do every time I go out. Last year, I sailed North Star solo from Port Huron, Michigan to my home port in Lake Erie and although the weather wasn't the greatest, the time spent alone on the water was amazing.

If you are into distance solo racing, check out the [url="http://www.solosailor.org/"]Great Lakes Singlehanded Society[/url]. You might be able to get into the 380 mile Trans Superior Solo Challenge.

At their web site, you'll find a nice [url="http://www.solosailor.org/sailmag0205adamssmaller.pdf"]article from Sail Magazine (Feb 2005) on Shorthanded Racing[/url].

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2005 : 21:35:05

Al (and everyone), I have to secretly confess I prefer sailing solo. There's ever so much more room in the cockpit and everywhere else; I can sit where I want to sit and not move people during tacks; I can listen to whatever music or news I want (or not); I can anchor or heave to whenever and wherever and however long I want; I can use the head without worrying about privacy issues; and on and on. Don't tell my wife -- but I think she knows anyhow (don't they always?).

Brooke

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2005 : 09:09:29

OK folks, I'm trying to round up some pictures from the other racers/cruisers. I should have something posted in the next week or so. For now, I'm racing as crew on a Tartan Piper 28 from Thunder Bay to Houghton - LSYA(Lake Superior Yachting Association)International race this weekend. The Tartan Piper is a sweet, sweet boat.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

Edited by - on

John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2005 : 14:24:49

Hey Al, I just finished a quick 4 day spin around the NC west end and did it all solo. the Auto pilot is really crucial and I'm sorry yours did not work. that would mean that you must have been pretty tired by the time you got in. Still having fun recalling our trip. Jake made up a very nice DVD of the cruise I hope he has sent you a copy. We should probably find somewhere on the web where we can host it as an Mpeg file so others and potential cruising group members can see how much fun we have. We will have to start thinking about dates for the 06 North channel cruise.

all the best

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2005 : 15:28:26

Like several other posters, I have been out in the boat several times every week since it has been warm...and yet to have any other crew or pax with me. I can do exactly what I want to do when I want to do it (decide where to go, when/where/what to eat, when/where to swim, when/where to head in, etc). In her heart of hearts the Admiral knows...but does not object, just me and the boat, doing our thing.

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