Jump to content

Singlehanded cruising, lines ending at mast?


Recommended Posts

Hi forum, I'm new here. I've been sailing for about five years on mates' boats, but now I'm looking at buying my first boat and I'm interested in cruising —short trips for now, but like many others I'm dreaming of one day sailing off to distant shores.

 

There are currently two boats on the market that I'm interested in: a Carter 33 and a Cavalier 32. Both boats have tiller steering, furling headsails, and main halyards and reefing lines ending at the mast.

 

Since I'll probably do a fair amount of sailing on my own, I'd have to run up to the mast to raise or lower the main. Does that setup make it impossible to singlehand, or can it be done? How would it work?

 

Thanks heaps!

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

welcome Gert.

 

Logically if you can deal with halyards etc without leaving cockpit its easier, and safer, but loads of boats have the same set up that you have described and it doesn't make it impossible by any means. I reckon single handing make you better because you have to anticipate/plan and do things before they are demanded . You got to allow more sea room to do things, you have to devise cunning little strategies.

 

It always amazes me how much time simple things take - when fully crewed these things are done just like that, but no so simple when single handed.

 

You'll have a ball, you'll cry in your beer some days but you will learn plenty and no matter which way it goes - well or not so well - its your doing.

Stay safe, enjoy.

  • Upvote 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome.

Its not impossible to single hand that set up.

Basically you need an autopilot. For hoisting or dropping the main, all it needs to do is hold the boat head to wind (i.e. make the boat go straight).

being tiller set up's, it will be easy to get a cheapy tiller pilot if they don't already have one.

Having to go to the mast to reef single handed is a bit of a headache. You would need a tiller pilot that can handle sailing in edgy conditions (i.e. blowy enough that you've decided you need to reef).

Pureists may also say you can lash the tiller etc. that would be fairly easy for hoisting the main, when you are just motoring in a straight line. It may be possible to make up a setup to tie off the tiller for putting in a reef, but while it is possible its a bit of a dark art, along the same lines as sailing without an engine (do-able but not reliable).

 

it is fair more preferable for single handed sailing to have everything back to the cockpit. Means as a single hander, you don't have to leave the safety of the cockpit. If you are still in a learning phase, and by this being your first boat, I expect you will be in a 'learning phase' for a few years yet, then it would also be preferable to have lines back to the cockpit.

 

Comes down to budget and your tenacity really. My boat is a 37 footer of similar era to those two, and all lines are at the must, and I occasionally single hand it, usually two handed.

I don't know the Carter, but a Cav 32 would be a 'reliable' design for short handed cruising as you describe.

  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

As long as you have an autopilot or self steering reefing lines at the mast works ok, and those sorts of details are often changed as you get used to the boat, its not that hard to change lines back to the cockpit which will make things easier and safer.

Most peoples first boat is not their last boat , just pick one at the right price so that you don,t loose too much if you later decide to  change.

Raising the main is sometimes easier at the mast, if you have to clear lazy jacks etc.

  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I did about 40,000 miles with the reefing at the mast on a Cav 32, no problem and could do it in well under one minute if i was feeling frisky. I used a wind vane, not an autopilot.

Today I occassionally single hand a 63 ft schooner, some thing, no worries, but it came with an auto pilot so I use that.

 

Carter 33 is a bit diamond shaped for my taste and probably a bit squirelly down wind. The Cav will deifinitely look after you but the standard rig (mine had an extra metre on the mast) will be slower than the Carter up to about 16kn true wind.

  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

My technique on a similar size boat is much the same as Knot Me's. In addition I have a bungy cord with hooks to hold the reefing eye onto the goose neck bullhorns while i return to cockpit to tighten the main halyard and leech reefing lines which lead aft. Lazy jacks help manage the drop.

Tiller pilot to hold the boat on course.

Jack stays running fore and aft plus safety harness are my insurance policy when leaving the cockpit.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I have a clutch on the halyard on the mast just near the gooseneck. Lower the sail to the mark, put the reef on the horn, raise the sail by hand (2:1 halyard) to sufficient tension to hold it there, then back to the cockpit to winch. The mast jammer is the basic lever sort - unlocks when there is no tension, so resets for the next reef. :-)

Link to post
Share on other sites

I love having most of my lines back to the cockpit.

I promised myself that I would do this when I built the boat I now sail.

When it gets bumpy cold and wet, being able to stand wedged in the companionway and drop in another reef is the best.

I have heard criticism that it makes you lazy and wait to long before reefing...I have found that the opposite applies.

You tend to do it more often and sooner when you can do it easily !

I made all my own deck organizers cheaply and have 12 rope clutches.

I bought basic but very strong units from the USA. Dont forget to have reasonable size winches and good lead angles if you set up new leads. There is nothing high speed in any of this but friction is a big enemy, as much for ease of dropping the main as hauling up. 

A decent boom bag with built in lazy jacks is also a must because there is also no point in dropping a sail from the comfort of the cockpit and then dangerously swinging around the boom to try and tame it..

Dont be afraid to experiment. A lot of traditional looking set ups can be made a heap more user friendly.

A 30 year period of cookie cutter production boats has convinced some people that, that is the only way to run, running rigging. I assure you I have seen some brand new custom cruising yachts, designed by their owners that are imaginative and plain awesome in their sail handling.

....and if you had any doubt ...try removing a hanked on foresail with the bow going a metre under....compared to pulling on a furling line  :-)

  • Upvote 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...