single-handing your Com-Pac

[passagesfromtheheart]

I'm looking for some information where sailing singlehanded/solo sailing is concerned. I've got (evidently) one of the bibles known for singlehanded sailing -- Singlehanded Sailing: Thoughts, Tips, Techniques, & Tactics by Andrew Evans. I'm really enjoying my book and am taking away a great deal of fantastic info, but am looking for also some tips for, specifically, trailer sailing singlehanded -- especially with respect to launching and retrieving your boat.

I have a friend, who also has a Legacy, and he's shared some of his strategies as he's solo:

1) At the ramp when launching, he always brings a block(s) to place under the wheel(s) of the tow vehicle and he also uses a contraption (a pole, I think) to brace/depress the brake pedal of the tow vehicle (in case the emergency brake fails).

2) With mast raising, in the cockpit, he uses some kind of a system (a long piece of 2x6, I think, with a notch) to help lift the mast to a certain point at which he is then able to raise it the rest of the way. I have seen others use a similar system like this.

At the lake where I sail (primarily), there is no courtesy dock adjacent to the ramp, as can be typically seen/found at some ramps. My friend didn't have a courtesy dock for his Legacy, for example, so once the boat was backed into water, he basically walked the boat off the trailer and over to the shoreline where he tied her off onto a rock (I think). Here is a video that demonstrates this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAQjUEZS_v0

Having said the above, I know many of you on the CPYOA are largely solo sailors and most folks, it seems, are also trailer sailors. I'd love to start a comprehensive dialogue that shares strategies that can be helpful for folks who are especially new to launching solo, casting off solo, sailing solo, anchoring solo, retrieving solo, etc.

Of course, it goes without saying, that whilst undersail, people likely have certain strategies, also, for sailing solo (tiller clutch, raising sails, reducing sail, sail changes, dropping anchor, etc) -- would love to hear everyone's thoughts. Please chime in -- tell us what boat you solo sail and how you go about doing it -- thank you for your contribution!

[passagesfromtheheart]

As made famous by the Ferris Bueller's Day Off movie...

"Anyone, anyone?" 😆🤣😁

Seriously, though, would sure love some feedback re: my inquiry -- any help is greatly appreciated!

[brackish]

I've owned a ComPac 23IV for fifteen years and approximately 80% of my usage has been single handling. The rest has been primarily non experienced passengers which can be more difficult depending on conditions.  In as much I could write a book on the subject.  And that is the problem.  Your request may be a little too broad in scope. Additionally, what is true for a Legacy may not even apply to a 23 and vice versa. 

In that fifteen years I've spent a lot of time making the boat single handling friendly.  From the beginning after each sail I've thought about what could have been easier or safer if I made a modification and then did what made sense. So I'll just mention the most important ideas.

So on launching/retrieving, after designing my solo mast raising system (which is available on this site) the most important thing I've done is determine exactly where the water needs to hit the hull bunks to be able to wedge it in, get the keel between the guides, and still be able to walk out the trailer tongue and winch it the rest of the way. This is by trial and error and could definitely change based on the slope of any particular ramp'

On sailing the number one, most important addition was a tiller pilot which frees me up to do all manner of things that a crew member might ordinarily do. 

[passagesfromtheheart]

Hi, brackish ~

Thank you so much for your contributions -- so very helpful!!!

Yes, I see your point re: things will vary/differ for each boat -- especially important to note -- thank you!

And yes, you're right, too, perhaps my inquiry really is too broad. I admit, this was somewhat done by design as I know things will be different for each sailor as relevant to one's boat, again as you raised this aspect.

I do so appreciate your feedback -- and I also have a 23, so your experience is very helpful in that capacity for me, too.

Another strategy people often mention as helpful for the solo sailor is to run lines to the cockpit; I am lucky that both my 23 and Legacy are, for the most part, equipped as such -- so I'm off to a good start. :-)

Fair winds and thanks so much, again!

[brackish]

Another strategy people often mention as helpful for the solo sailor is to run lines to the cockpit; I am lucky that both my 23 and Legacy are, for the most part, equipped as such -- so I'm off to a good start. :-)

That statement reminds me of something that I have not done, but have thought about it many times, i. e. converting my main to mid boom sheeting with a traveler on the bridge deck.  That would put that all important control element in front of me rather than behind me.  In addition it would clear up the aft area which is crowded with lines.  The only downside is having the sheet bundle in front of the main hatch, however I've owned two larger boats with that arrangement and much prefer it.  Maybe someday......

[passagesfromtheheart]

That statement reminds me of something that I have not done, but have thought about it many times, i. e. converting my main to mid boom sheeting with a traveler on the bridge deck.  That would put that all important control element in front of me rather than behind me.  In addition it would clear up the aft area which is crowded with lines.  The only downside is having the sheet bundle in front of the main hatch, however I've owned two larger boats with that arrangement and much prefer it.  Maybe someday......

That's something I've thought about as well re: my 23 and my Legacy, too, actually. Things can get a bit jam-boned trying to work aft where the mainsheet, stern pulpit/stern arch, rudder, and my outboard all live -- and then add port and starboard stern dock lines to the mix, when needed, and there's even more business going on in that part of the boat.

I like the idea of mid-boom sheeting set up as you describe. Perhaps I like this because the boat I grew up sailing on for almost twenty years was rigged that way. It feels more natural to me to have that sort of arrangement, I suppose. As you also mention, that means having the traveler on the bridge deck to step over, as well as the lines, but I don't feel any of that's a dealbreaker, for me at least. Again, I guess I am just accustomed to this set-up.

[Roland of Macatawa]

Looking forward to other's comments.

I need to become more comfortable single-handling.
If so, I would sail more often and in more varied wind conditions

My difficulties are:

primarily with launching and retrieving,
with more difficulty retrieving than launching,

and secondarily with raising and lowering sail,
with more difficulty lowering than raising.

Insights and Suggestions are welcome.

Regards, Roland

[kickingbug1]

 at 73 i can still rig, launch, sail and retrieve solo (although much easier when she's there}. although i sail a catalina 18. a lot is similar. for me the only necessity is the dock. as has been said each boat is unique and trial and error is the best teacher. reefing the main alone is still a bit of a challenge however

[brackish]

at 73 i can still rig, launch, sail and retrieve solo (although much easier when she's there}. although i sail a catalina 18. a lot is similar. for me the only necessity is the dock. as has been said each boat is unique and trial and error is the best teacher. reefing the main alone is still a bit of a challenge however

Since I don't really trailer anymore (other than the three year bring it home for a bottom job and general maintenance) and keep the boat at a marina on Bay Springs Lake year round, I just leave a reef in for winter through spring.  Most of the time it is appropriate, and when it's not I can give up that half knot or so.  If need be, it is much easier to shake it out single handed than it is to put it in.

[crazycarl]

Midboom sheeting. I too have contemplated this. I have all the needed components saved in a wishlist on the Defender site. As for it blocking the companion way, a tug on the traveler line would keep it off to one side or the other. Moving the main sheet controls would allow me to move the bimini aft, opening the space forward for better access to the bow. Plus, there would be no need for such a long main sheet, and midboom sheeting will act somewhat like a boom vang in keeping the boom down when running with the wind.

The current setup is somewhat of a liability. Accidental jibes puts occupants in danger of the main sheet catching one by the neck. There are times I prefer to sit on the lee side and the sheet is always in the way. 🤔 I may have convinced myself to spend the money.

[alsantini]

Solo Sailing
Note:  I solo sail about 50% of the time.  Sometimes from a slip and sometimes from a trailer.  When trailer sailing:
I step the mast usually in the water since water is softer from deck height than asphalt from deck on trailer height.  Also, the ladder on the transom of the Horizon sucks!
When launching the boat, I tie a bow line to the trailer allowing the boat to just float off and not away.  I then put the truck in park, set the park brake and pull the boat the rest of the way off the trailer, tie up the boat (out of the way, if possible), and put the truck/trailer in a space.
I start the Yanmar diesel, put on my PFD while I check lines and get ready to step the mast. Note, if I am staying in a slip, I motor over to the slip, tie up with a minimum of 4 lines, and then step the mast, while still wearing my PFD.
I put away all mast raising equipment, raise the sail usually in a reefed position and go sailing.  It is always easier to shake out a reef rather than put one in.  I place at least two sail ties on the grab bars so they will be easy to reach.
After sailing, I drop the sail using the Lazy Jacks.  I consider the LJ's to be really beneficial especially when the wind picks up.  Drop the sail and put two ties on.  One about mid boom and the other near the tiller to keep a clear view when motoring back.
Once in clear water, I will sometimes drop the mast and ready the boat for transit or slip.
I tie off the boat as close to the dock as I can, pull up the rudder, get the trailer, and put it in the water so half of the bunks are submerged and half are dry.  Vehicle in park with brake on.
Here is the tricky part...  After watching experienced power boaters who power onto the trailer, I do a modified drive on.   At idle speed I line up the keel with the keel guide and drive the boat up on the trailer ONLY until the keel is in-between the guides and stops.  The boat will be about 2/3rds on the trailer.  Shut down the diesel and after attaching the bow strap and tightening it, I back the trailer down the ramp until the bunks are mostly covered with water and use the trailer winch to pull the boat the rest of the way until the bow hits the bow stop.  Attach the safety chain, throw any lines dragging into the boat and pull out.
My additional thoughts
   I keep a PFD on all the time while sailing alone
   I do not use the auto-helm if I am moving about the boat
   I monitor Ch 16 with my HT plugged into power
   I have SPOT with me in my ditch bag and use it much of the time.  Wife, Son and Daughter are designated to receive messages
I carry an additional 2 gal of diesel
I carry a fully charged diesel start pack (I currently only have one boat battery)
I move a CO2 horn into the cockpit so I can reach it easily
If I have to go forward, I will usually attach a harness to my D rings on my PFD and connect the other end to my mid-ships cleat.  14 feet long on a 20 foot boat means I can go anywhere while connected
I use a chart plotter and have an additional GPS handheld in my ditch bag.

Sorry this is long....  Sail On  AL

[passagesfromtheheart]

Al, this is precisely the kind of step-by-step info I was looking/hoping for — thank you so much!!! As I digest your words, I may follow up with related questions — thanks so much, again, as well as to everyone else for sharing tips, thoughts, etc.