2. A post is easier to reach than a pontoon cleat. 3. The midship cleat is the first to get on when handed. 4. It is easy to warp a yacht into position ( mine was 17 tons)
Fenders out and lines from all four corners and midships run back to the rails by the . Set up outside the marina while you have sea room. into wind/tide, stop and loop midship line round post. Hop ashore and take bow and stern lines and warp her into position. If another yacht is on the windward side of the finger then come in at an angle to clear her stern - but this means more windage on her so less time to get a line on the pole. If you need a bit of extra pull against the then take half a rurn round a pontoon cleat and sweat the line in ie. pull sideways on the standing part while holding the fall fast.
19-08-2019, 19:52
Boat: S&S Defiance 30 ft.
is a 30 ft. S&S Defiance, Mikado II, in Western Port Marina, Hastings Victoria.
handed as easy as possible.
is that the and controls are at one end of the while action is often required at the other end.
surface.
on the end of the finger.
up to a block near the bow and back to the cockpit on the of the line stanchions and fenders with an eye in its end.
hook on a boat hook pole with a short line attached.
A, within boathook length of the pole F. Hook the ring and drop it over a cleat on the starboard quarter of the boat. Unhook the bow line B from the ring and attach it to the eye in the line G. You have not had to leave the cockpit. At this stage the stern is under control and the bow can also be controlled from the cockpit by line G. Back the boat in with everything coming to rest when the spring E takes up. If you are hard against the rotating fender you may need to adjust the boats normal fenders as you move in. Organise your permanent lines.
(30.9 KB, 72 views)
20-08-2019, 04:05
Boat: Farr 1020 10.2 m
behave slightly differently. But if I was in your position: in the cockpit. Enough free to handle easily. as the bitter end is attached? to the right, you and cockpit should be right beside the marina cleat at the right end. length back towards your desired position. to pivot boat anticlockwise. Never have to leave your seat! And because you are sheeting from your boat, is applicable in any similar situation, anywhere.
Two lines attached, take your time to tidy up.
Worth a try!
20-08-2019, 08:17
Boat: cal29
, get off on that with a bow and stern line in hand and walk the boat in. Temporarily secure the stern, go up and secure the bow, leaving enough length to go back to the stern and start walking it in.
20-08-2019, 09:12
Boat: Jeanneau Tonic 23
20-08-2019, 18:06
Boat: Bavaria Cruiser 37
? Come in stern first, secure stern line, then apply ahead thrust, the bow should pull to port, toward the dock, then you can leave the engine in ahead and jump off and secure the bow and springers. Conversely a stern line on the starboard stern cleat, should bring the bow out away from the dock in ahead, or the centre doing on the aft cleat and some astern. Cheers Richard
20-08-2019, 19:25
Boat: Hunter 33 "Cherubini" (1982)
the best.
27-08-2019, 00:20
Boat: Hunter 33 "Cherubini" (1982)
line that is attached to your cleat in the corner of the L. Create a small pole (or other pickup point) at the RH tip of the L for this line (bottom of drawing).
When you come in from the left, pickup this line, throw over your port winch, then stabilise the boat with and engine as usual. Winch or pull in this line to get the boat in position. Rest as you usually do.
27-08-2019, 05:23
is doing generally in my marina (how to tell?)"
If you are on the dock, including if you are secured alongside, chuck a bit of paper in the and observe how it moves.
If you are afloat, as when approaching your slip, lie dead in the a length or two off. In this situation you are concerned not with current alone, but with the combined effect of wind AND current, so observe how your boat moves in relation to the slip when lying DIW. When you are satisfied that you understand what the combination of forces is doing to the TRACK of your boat OVER THE GROUND, go around and make your final approach in light of that knowledge. Always remember that HEADING and TRACK OTG are very, very rarely congruent.
TP
08-12-2019, 11:02
for thought. The method below is one Ive adopted in similar past situations.
Ive faced similar dilemmas with my mooring. The main requirement for me when solo and in close proximity to any hard objects is my escape plan.
Additionally, leaving the cockpit and controls until Im safely controlled alongside is not an option due to proximity of surrounding .
Have a plan than can be repeated to infinity until successful without risk. A successful missed approach must always be a guaranteed option.
Additional Preparation: - Midship spring with secured loop (bowline or similar). - (Same) Midship spring led aft to a winch - Port quarter & stern fender
The figure attached suggests getting the boat settled stern-to wind, motoring gently astern. Get the boat aligned with the wind and directly downwind from a mid-pontoon cleat (your aiming point).
If like my boat you suffer from chronic prop walk, build some momentum and then approach in neutral regulating momentum with FWD if necessary.
1) Approach the pontoon upwind astern at a controlled speed The angle doesnt necessarily matter. It can be directly astern (Med-mooring style). The idea is to get a midship spring attached at a the port stern quarter (for this example).
If you dont like the look of it, forward and try again and again and again...
Having your midship aft spring led to a winch will allow you to quickly adjust the slack as required once attached to the cleat.
2) Once your midship spring is secure ashore. Allow wind to blow your quarter off the pontoon slightly then forward against the spring regulating runner angle to manage bow angle to bring you alongside.
Once alongside, keep motoring against midship spring, secure boat and make a plan to slowly manage lines to get your boat back to desired position.
Lastly; if youre limited by room ahead, as you start to gently motor ahead, you can winch in the spring reducing its length to regulate your position alongside.
Good luck with the practice. Id be interested to hear which technique works and you decide to adopt.
Safe sailing.
08-12-2019, 11:42
paper in the water and observe how it moves.
If you are afloat, as when approaching your slip, lie dead in the water a length or two off. In this situation you are concerned not with current alone, but with the combined effect of wind AND current, so observe how your boat moves in relation to the slip when lying DIW. When you are satisfied that you understand what the combination of forces is doing to the TRACK of your boat OVER THE GROUND, go around and make your final approach in light of that knowledge. Always remember that HEADING and TRACK OTG are very, very rarely congruent.
TP
15-12-2019, 05:35
Boat: Hunter 33 "Cherubini" (1982)
So I tried the method described above by sailormed (was also suggested by someone I took a docking lesson from but it seemed hard back then). Had success 2 out of 2 times so far. As mentioned earlier there is actually a pole already there I can hang something from (not shown in my drawings) so I hung a line there and was able to grab it with a boat hook (note: I also park my dingy there (end of short pier), so I had to reach over that with hook).
First time I tried it the wind was pushing me off the dock (as usual) and I did actually have a bit of trouble getting the boat in close. After grabbing the line and driving forward while winching in, the boat came into the "L" but was still a bit far from the pier. Increasing revs and a bit of rudder did seem to make the boat start to come in more but it was slow, so I did some combination of throwing into reverse, pulling in more slack on the winch, going into forward, etc. So that got me in pretty close.
In stronger winds it may still be an issue to get the bow in close using this method.
Second time I tried this and wind was helping a bit (was either pushing me slightly in towards dock or slightly from behind). Boat came into the dock like a charm. So wind is definitely a factor here. I don't know what current is doing generally
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Living the dream single handed onboard 50ft Lagoon
Mark Rolle envisioned a life on the sea and when the opportunity presented itself he didn’t hold back.
After working hard for years Mark sold his business and decided that there was more to life than work. He always thought of owning a boat, he had always loved the ocean and when the opportunity presented itself he took it.
When looking for his dream vessel he really wanted it to be his mobile home, something he could live comfortably onboard. Being a practical person he was also looking for something he could comfortably manage single handed and also perform well, for him, Lagoon ticked all the boxes. He was originally looking for a 440 or 450 but he was impatient and there were none on the market at the time. After stepping aboard the Lagoon 500 he immediately made an offer. He spoke of his instant excitement when he first saw Three Little Birds and thinking, “ Wow, that’s a lot of boat” .
Since then he has been travelling the East Coast of Australia and the Pacific, only spending a handful of nights off the boat in the last 4 years. In April 2017 Mark and Three Little Birds were in a game of cat and mouse trying to outfox Cyclone Debbie. He was in Airlie Beach at what is now Coral Sea Marina when she hit and fortunately dodged a bullet with only minor superficial damage.
Mark spends a lot of his time in the Whitsundays, hosting International backpackers in return for cleaning and polishing of his Lagoon 500. However, a huge goal of his was to do some blue water cruising and so he took off with the 2019 Go East Rally to New Caledonia and Vanuatu which was a huge accomplishment and an opportunity to meet many amazing people.
This video will show why sailing your Lagoon to these destinations is so rewarding.
Prior to owning his Lagoon, Mark only had sailing experience from his childhood, sailing Manly Juniors. He knew only a little about tides, trade winds and currents. For much of his initial cruising he was constantly sailing against the weather, trade winds and struggled with light downwind conditions and booms swaying and banging. This resulted in more motoring than he preferred during such downwind conditions
It wasn’t until his trip back from the Pacific that he became determined to find a solution to his problems and get himself a single handled spinnaker set up. After a lot of research Mark rigged his Lagoon 500 to be able to single handed fly an off the shelf Rolly Tasker Asymmetric Spinnaker and says it has been great and was impressed by the price.
(Watch his video on the set up).
“Deploying it is easy, the sock slides straight up, in light winds this is really easy. I’ve led all the rigging back to the cockpit and I’ve put a trip line to release the tack quickly if de powering the sail instantly is required.
Pulling the sail down is not a problem, in the light winds it’s just a matter of pulling the sock straight down. In the heavier winds we’ve got the Tylasker fitting and we punch the tack off and it streams the sail away like a big flag taking all pressure off, then slide the sock down and pack it away.”
After travelling downwind with a NE 10-15kt breeze from the Gold Coast to Sydney in 49 hours and with an average speed of 8.2kts with just the Spinnaker, and a heap of extra sleep due to the new found silence, Mark is a strong advocate for the spinnaker and wants people to know how easy it is to use single or short-handed and to not be intimidated. After doing a Facebook pole of Lagoon owners he discovered that of those who have a spinnaker only about 30% use it regularly, mostly due to a lack of confidence, particularly deploying and retrieving. Although it is important to have the correct set up and security measures he wants everyone to know that this downwind sail has seriously changed his sailing experience for the better and after a bit of practise using it you develop a lot of confidence quickly.
Mark has also made a number of other improvements to his vessel since purchasing it second hand, including a set of folding propellers and new sails. His old sails were unable to perform well under 60 degrees to the apparent wind and now he is able to comfortably sit between 35-45 degrees and get close to 8kts boat speed in 15kt of apparent winds.
For now, Mark has no fixed sailing goals other than returning to Vanuatu and New Caledonia when borders open and is just drifting with the wind. He is currently in isolation in the Whitsundays due to being in a high risk category and was floating between Pancake Creek and Lady Musgrave the last few months waiting for restrictions to ease. Although he often has helpers on board from time to time he often spends long periods at sea by himself so things haven’t changed too much. He describes the Whitsundays at the moment as “like the 80s”, there are much less boats on the water and the radio has gone quiet. There is currently a lot more greenery and wildlife about. “It is the perfect way to isolate”.
His departing words were… “Enjoy life while you can because you just don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow.”
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39 Vital Tips, How To Sail a Catamaran!(For Beginners, The Fun and Safe Way!)
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In this article, I list many of the things that I have found significant about sailing a catamaran. The list is mainly aimed towards sailors transitioning from monohulls, but new sailors without prior experience will benefit from reading this before leaving harbor!
So what do you need to know before setting off in a Catamaran?
Catamarans Don’t Heel
Since catamarans have two hulls, the boat won’t heel over to its side while sailing; this means a ton of things! In part, it means that your ride will be faster, safer, more comfortable, etc.
Read this to understand the difference between monohulls (aka regular sailboats) and catamarans.
You will be faster on a Catamaran.
Since a catamaran has two hulls, it has less volume of the boat below the surface; this means less drag and higher speeds.
Want to know why cats are faster than other boats?
Maneuverability inside the Marina will be much more pleasant.
Although a catamaran will be more affected by winds due to its immense size, you can maneuver it as you would with a battle tank since it has two engines. That is doing a 360 turn without any movement forward or backward. This is an excellent way to enter and exit a marina.
Fuel costs will decrease.
Low drag means less energy needed to propel the boat; this is also true when running the engines. Compared to a monohull, the catamaran will draw less fuel.
Check out this article to understand why and how you can save fuel and instead spend your money on fun things!
If you get knocked over, you won’t get back up again (but at least you won’t sink!)
Catamarans have a terrible reputation for flipping over or capsizing as it is known to the people of the water. There is not much data to support that claim, and if you look at the available data, you would actually see that catamarans, in many ways, are safer than boats with only one hull.
Are catamarans safer than other sailboats?
Catamarans are wider and, therefore, safer.
Is it easier to push something to its side if it has a wide or a small base? Yepp exactly, the cat has a broad base and is, therefore, more stable (the short and easy explanation). There are numerous other factors to consider but a wider base means better stability!
Sign up for my mailing list to find out when my article on catamaran stability goes online
Catamarans will get you the ladies(or men, or cats, or whatever)
There is nothing more accurate on this list than the fact that a catamaran will get you more company, of the sort you prefer, than a monohull. The sailing is smoother; the space is plentiful, it’s basically made for having friends hanging out on the trampolines.
Speaking of trampolines, some myths say that they are made to reduce water onboard and enhance safety, but everybody really knows it’s a place for beautiful times with great friends ;)!
What are trampolines you say?
Because of the shallow draft, you can go places where monohulls can’t
If you are going to the Bahamas (or any other place where the water isn’t very deep), and believe me, you definitely want, then a shallow draft is almost as good of a friend as a cold beer on a sunny day.
A shallow draft means that your boat won’t be sticking very deep into the water, which significantly enhances the number of places you can explore, and it also makes it possible to get very close to the beach.
Be prepared to spend your dollars.
“A boat is a hole in the water where you throw your money” is what a wise friend of mine once told me in a marina in the Miami River. Little did I know at the time how true that statement was to become.
And if you’re on a catamaran… you will have two engines, larger sails, more surface area, more everything, and more everything means that more things will break and more items will have to be paid for
BUT! it also means more fun!
Finding a place to lift your cat out of the water might be trickier than you thought.
Unless you are on a smaller cat, such as the Gemini Legacy 35, you won’t be able to fit in a standard slip, and getting hauled up out of the water might not be possible everywhere.
Be prepared to pay a little extra, and make sure you ask before you!
In contrary to many beliefs, cats can be sailed single-handed.
Another myth is that catamarans are harder to sail than their monohull counterpart; this is simply not true in a general sense. If the boat is set up for shorthanded sailing, it will most certainly be easier to sail than its heeling and leaning sister ship, the monohull.
If you are interested in the skills needed to handle a large cruising catamaran I think you should check out my recommended books here.
No more sailing close to the wind
Since a cat doesn’t have a colossal keel, it tends to move sideways when sailing close to the point of wind. This means more drag, less transfer of movement in the direction of travel, and a less comfortable trip.
Usually, a cat needs to sail more of the wind than a monohull,
Downwind is your new best friend.
But on the other hand, going downwind or running downwind is, together with humans, your dog and red wine, your new best friend. This is where the catamaran will show its true potential.
It’s fast, smooth, and can take you around the world!
Sailing around the world.
Unless you are setting a world record, you will probably take the westward route around the globe. Sailing west means traveling with the prevailing winds and, you guessed it, perfect for a catamaran.
Interested in sailing around the world?
You have friends? Bring all of them!
Maybe not all, but many catamarans can fit many people; 6-10 people is not uncommon. Most of the space is on deck, but since there are two hulls, there are usually 2-4 berths fitting 4-8 people sleeping!
That’s a lot of friends, family, cats, or whomever you would want to bring.
Are you used to monohulls? Then you need to update your storm tactics!
Often, the boat will survive more hardship than the crew; it has happened more than once that a ship will be found only to have lost its team somewhere in the middle of the ocean.
A boat is only as good as its captain allows it to become; with poor sailing skills comes danger, and handling a catamaran IS different than handling another type of boat. Ensure you update your skillset, especially those considering rough weather, so that they are relevant when transitioning to a different kind of vessel!
Full speed with double engines
Exactly how fast you will be able to travel is, of course, dependent upon many factors. But something you can rely on is that more power equals higher speeds; in most catamarans, they employ two engines!
If you want to see a table of examples comparing sailing with one engine and two engines, check this out.
Hate swinging around on anchor? You better up your bridle-game
A well-balanced bridle will make the cat stay stable towards the wind; a poorly balanced bridle will tend to do a pendulum motion where the waves might push it one way only for the wind to push it back.
Want to better understand how a bridle work and how to make one?
Don’t stop before the beach; go all the way upon it.
Sailing in the Caribbean, we could often find ourselves wanting to explore a deserted island. We could either throw in the dingy or swim to shore; with a catamaran, you have a third option: “beach” it.
Beaching a catamaran means taking it all the way up to the shoreline so you can step off onto a beautiful beach without even getting your toes wet!
Check this out to understand what beaching a catamaran is like.
The cat is enormous; why not live on it!
A monohull’s size is usually what takes the fun and comfort out of the vacation, but with more space and your own berth/room, the ability to stay comfortably for more extended periods increases.
You might even have a hard time to get people of your boat 😉
How to sail faster upwind than a longer monohull
Yes, it is usually true that a mono can go closer to the wind than your average cat; this means a shorter distance from point A to point B if traveling directly towards the wind.
But, and its a big but (one T) catamarans on average are faster, that means even though they might have to travel a longer distance, they will usually show up at the destination faster than its mono counterpart.
Especially if we are talking longer distances, let’s say around the world or Atlantic crossings, then there is no discussion over which is the fastest.
Check this list of catamaran speeds to learn more .
No more merry-go-round while at anchor
One of the things I hated the most when living and sailing on a monohull was getting seasick when not even sailing. The wind pushing you one way and the waves the other makes for an incredibly potent mix of sea-sickness.
On a cat, that’s not really an issue; yes, it will swing around a little, it might even swing a little extra since it catches a lot of wind, but it is not going to roll! Which is a huge deal!
How to become a better sailor
Everybody says that to become a good sailor, you must get out there earn your experience, but without the correct feedback and conclusions, you might be at risk of sub optimizing your skillset.
This means that unless you bring someone very experienced, you might create habits that only work under the circumstances you have practiced, that is, calm weather close to shore.
What you need is someone to tell you, “that works today, but it will get you into trouble in X and Y situations,” those tips are vital! Get the opinion of someone you trust, whether it’s online or an actual person tagging along!
The American sailing association has a pretty cool book about handling large catamarans, check it out here.
Sailing single-handed
Catamarans, when set up correctly, can be sailed single-handed or shorthanded. Some of the changes you’ll have to make include;
Get an autopilot
Make sure your lines go all the way to the cockpit, so you don’t have to leave your GPS, radar, etc.
Remove things that are obstructing your view; there are only two eyes on board!
Ensure you have enough physical power to handle the winches, sail, etc., if you don’t? Hit the gym; if that doesn’t work, buy electric winches.
Practice sailing single-handed(but have a passive crew tag along for safety) and figure out what else you need.
More info on how to sail single-handed
Anchoring your cat at sea
One way to do this is to use a sea anchor, basically a parachute in the water that breaks your movements. more on sea anchors here
The sea depth in the middle of an ocean can be thousands of meters, so bringing that much anchor chain doesn’t really work. What you would do is drift under control, that is, situating the boat in a comfortable position, and that doesn’t make you drift too much in the wrong direction.
Picking up a mooring ball
This is a common question, but I’m not sure why it intimidates people as much as it does. It is probably the easiest way to anchor of them all.
Basically, what you want to do is;
Prepare your bridle
Head into the wind slowly, approach the ball on the same side of the centerline as your friend, who will later pick it up.
Take into consideration the drift occurring by the wind and current.
Use a boathook, stick, or whatever to pick up the line from the mooring ball and attach it to the center of your bridle.
Put the boat in reverse, give it a little throttle, and tension the lines so that you can trust your anchoring
Voila, you’ve picked up your first mooring ball!
How to make your useless friend useful onboard
Turn that useless friend into and a vital asset!
The best way to prepare for troublesome situations is to think through what problems may happen and what you want to do when it happens. What you do is you bring that diamond in the rough that is your friend onboard, you discuss a few situations, you tell her what you want her to do and when.
Then you practice, not full-on, but you will show your friend how things are done; let’s say you want help with anchoring. Do a walkthrough of the process where you let your, now a little bit shinier diamond, handle the ropes and respond to commands. Offer honest and concrete feedback and let them succeed in the task.
Once you feel comfortable with your friend’s actions, you have accomplished two things, you have taught your friend a new skill, and you have acquired a crewmember! Glorious!
Bring your real best friend, the dog (or cat, for you weirdos 😉 )
Heeling is not only tough on us humans! On a cat (the boat), a cat(the animal) can move around more safely, and there is a smaller chance of it falling off. Many chose to keep the pet inside the boat, but I really do believe that your pets should also be able to enjoy the beautiful sailing and weather!
Prepare to see nothing.
I don’t mean beautiful islands and tropical beaches; you’ll see plenty of that! I mean, seeing where you are going, a cat has a lot of stuff in front of you(such as that glorious interior space), so if you’re used to your good old monohull, you might find it difficult at first to get at a good view of where you’re going. Especially when docking or in a marina.
Catamaran Sailing Techniques: Everything you need to know – Yachting World
The wind will give you a hard time.
A catamaran is basically a big box with floating sleds; boxes are not famous for aerodynamics. This box-shaped floater will catch a lot of wind and will make slow speed movements, such as docking, a little bit trickier.
To the rescue comes double engines with separate controls making it possible to do 360 turns on the spot and super small unballasted keels called centerboards.
Spring of the dock will be your new way of life.
Higher on the list, we looked at the box-shaped floating thing that is a catamaran and how much the wind affects it. This is also true when exiting a dock; all that force will make it impossible to head out if the wind blows towards the dock.
Spring off the dock to the rescue! This method uses simple physics of leverage to make your stern move away from the dock even though the wind and waves are pushing you back in.
Sign up to my mailing list for information on when that article is published!
Stop turning the wheel and start using your throttles.
The downside of a shallow draft is that it won’t have much that stops you from moving sideways with the wind; the upside of having a catamaran is that you have two engines!
When moving at slow speeds, let’s say docking, you dont have much “grip” on the water and not much water passing around the rudders. This makes handling a catamaran in the same way as a monohull very difficult.
Instead, the preferred method is to put the rudder at center position and turn by offsetting the throttle; higher throttle on your right engine will make you go left and vice versa. This allows for 360 spins and precis handling in tight spaces! Pretty neat, I would say.
Get used to that hellish banging noise!
Bridge deck clearance is a real thing on a catamaran, and if you’re on a smaller sized or just poorly built, you’ll get more banging than your teenaged self ever wished for(pun intended)!
So bridge deck clearance is the distance between the water and the lowest part of the boat between the hulls.
This is the part where the water will pass between the hulls, and under some circumstances, let’s say big enough waves, water will crash and hit the underside—making not only a lot of noise but also vibrations throughout the boat.
Bring all that crap that you thought you would have to leave on land.
“sailing is living the simple life and bringing only what you need,” someone said to me once; screw that! 🙂 On a cat, there is so much space that you’ll be able to bring almost anything that you want and need.
People bring everything from scuba gear(including a system to fill up the oxygen tanks) to washing machines!
Even though I consider myself to be a simple man when it comes to stuff (i live in a van, as some of you know 😉 ) I can totally understand the beauty of bringing a lot of creature comfort on board.
Shallow draft, yes, but how deep is the water, visual checks.
Before sailing the Bahamas, I would hear of stories almost every day of boats that went aground and either got stuck or wrecked their ships. I was terrified but once underway and a couple of months in, I couldn’t really understand how it could happen.
So I started looking into the information about different accidents that I could find, and something struck me, common sense isn’t that common…
I realized that many sailors trusted their GPS or maps more than they trust their own eyes. I could easily understand that the people who went aground were the ones that did not do visual checks when entering or moving through a shallow section.
When storms roll in, the seafloor, especially if made of sand, shifts, and depths, is rarely accurate on a map, and if your sailing with only a few feet to spare, you better keep an eye out!
If monohulls give you feedback like your mom at family dinner, then a catamaran is your dead budgie.
Maybe that title is a bit of a stretch and only applies to my family; if so, sorry about that, let’s carry on!
So when the wind hits the sails on a monohull, it leans to the side, everybody gets seasick, and you want to go home, that is not all bad! That same feeling also gives the captain a sensation of how much force is acted upon the sails, something vital if you want to stay afloat.
The issue with a catamaran is that it does not offer feedback to the helm in the same manner; there is nothing dangerous about it; it is just different. The problem occurs when you expect feedback in the shape of leaning before you start reefing.
If you wait for that, you’ll soon find yourself in trouble! The easiest and safest way is to use a “wind speed rule of thumb,” basically a standard operating procedure for putting the reefs in based on apparent wind. Once the wind speed hits X m/s, you put your first reef in; when the speed hits Y m/s, you put the next reef in, and so on.
See a squall coming? Reef early!
A gust of wind? Head down, not up!
I know, I know, I compare monohulls and cats all the time… and yes, here’s one more comparison!
Some of you single-hull-people out there might be tempted to head upwind if there’s a gust hitting the sails, I would rethink that strategy and recommend you train your reactions to do the opposite!
Heading upwind(on a cat) during a gust will increase the risk of capsizing (flipping over is extremely rare, but if you’re ever going to pull it off, here’s your chance!).
Gybe like Barry White would
I’m not sure we see the same things here, but what I’m trying to say is that you want to take it nice and smooth on the transition from one side to the other.
Tighten in the sheet, pull the mainsail to the center and slowly pass from one side to the other; this will decrease the wear and tear and reduce the risk of injuries from the beam swinging like a
Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!
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What are the Best Single-Handed Sailboats and Catamarans?
Single-handed boats aren’t just limited to solo travelers. Many cruising couples will tell you that it’s a good idea to have your boat rigged and ready to be sailed single-handed. Why? What if one person gets injured—or just seasick? If your usual crew complement is only two, it makes no sense—from a safety standpoint—to require them both to be “on duty” all the time.
Of course, there are times and situations when you’ll be headed out by yourself. Maybe you like to travel but lack a consistent crew. Or many you’d just rather not bother with a crew.
The good news is that most modern cruising boats can be modified and re-rigged to improve their single-handed abilities. It all comes down to picking the right boat and making the correct modifications. Here’s a look at some of the things you’ll want to consider and five great single-handed monohull and catamaran designs.
Table of Contents
Goals for your boat, the under-rated importance of ease of single-handing, what does a single-hander need, types of autohelm, what does a single-hander want, single-handing rigging considerations, 5 great sailboats for single-handed cruisers, best single-handed sailing catamarans.
To find the perfect boat for you, whether solo or crewed sailing, is to make a list of goals and find the vessel that best meets them. There is no perfect boat. Furthermore, while you might be interested in solo sailing now, you might find yourself with a crew later on.
Start with the basics—why are you looking to single-hand your boat? Are you an adventure seeker looking to break records and find adventure with long-distance cruising? Thinking of entering a single-handed sailing race, like the Vendée Globe ?
Or are you just a solo sailor looking for a production boat that’s easy to operate by yourself? This is more common than you might imagine. Most cruising couples out there will readily admit that one member of the crew does very little to help during the actual act of sailing.
Even on two-person crews where both partners are capable, it’s often desirable for the boat to be equipped to be handled by just one person. What if one partner becomes incapacitated by seasickness—or worse, an injury? What if, even rarely, one person needs to move the boat while the other person is away?
The point is simply this—every boat that is being considered by a couple or a short-handed crew should be able to be handled by a single sailor. Whether you’re on watch while the rest of the crew sleeps or you just want to be ready for an emergency, no cruising boat should be impossible to handle alone.
Nearly all modern cruising boats can at least be modified for easier solo handling. Here’s a look at some of the most critical gear and considerations.
The importance of each of these items will vary greatly depending on the boat, its mission, and its crew. Rigging any boat is a very personal choice. Sailors notoriously like to do things their own ways, and their boats demonstrate this character trait. The way the manufacturer or the last owner set things up is just a starting point from which you begin modifying the boat for your use.
Probably the most helpful thing to be able to single-hand is a competent hand on the helm. Thankfully, several modern and old technologies can provide solo sailors with just that.
The goal here is to allow the boat to hold a course without the operator being at the helm. Some form of “autohelm” or “autopilot” is invaluable on long passages. While it’s romantic to think of steering your ship through the dark night, in truth, it is exhausting work. An autopilot or windvane lets you relax and know that the boat will hold its course while you keep watch.
In severe weather at sea, it’s not uncommon for hand-steering crews to stand very short watches, sometimes less than an hour. This is simply due to the workload of controlling the boat in heavy weather. Some boats are more work than others, but all require more helm work when the seas are up.
This is the primary reason why the autopilot system, whatever it is, should be considered an essential part of a boat’s safety gear. A sailboat autopilot system is simply invaluable if you plan to travel far distances or do overnights on your boat.
A windvane is a purely mechanical method to controlling the boat’s heading. It has two parts—the actual windvane and then some form of steering. Many wind vanes are so well regarded as to be recognizably by brand name. Monitor and Hydrovane are probably the two most well-known models.
The windvane assembly is mounted on the transom of a vessel. The windvane itself sticks up like the rudder of an airplane, and it reacts to the wind and spins. As it spins, it uses linkages to either move the ship’s rudder or its own smaller rudder. The operator simply adjusts some small lines to select what direction the boat should be sailing from the wind. The windvane then holds that angle.
There are many advantages to these systems, and their usefulness offshore should not be underestimated. While we’re often dazzled by the digital and the new-fangled, a windvane is dead simple and offers the ultimate in reliability. It uses no battery power and requires very little input to operate. It is nothing more than metal, and short of being severely damaged or bent, there’s just not much that can go wrong with one. And one final bonus—some windvanes can be used as emergency rudders.
For all their pluses, windvanes do have some downsides. They are large and bulky, hanging off the back of the boat. And they are costly to purchase and install, too.
Electronic Autopilots
Most modern boats are equipped with at least a little bit of electronics, and autopilots are now very common. An autopilot can be described as above or below decks, depending on where the drive unit is mounted.
Regardless of the details, all autopilots work in approximately the same way. They use either a motor or hydraulic system to move some part of the boat’s rudder linkages. Some move the wheel, while others attach to an arm on the rudder shaft. Either way, the autopilot uses electronic signals to move the boat’s rudder left or right, just like moving the wheel.
Most simple autopilots are connected to an electronic compass, giving the operator a heading hold. Sailing models may also tie into the wind instruments to allow the holding of an apparent wind angle. New models that talk to the chartplotter may track navigation courses between waypoints or entire pre-planned navigation routes.
The bigger the boat, and the heavier the weather it might encounter, then the beefier an autopilot system needs to be. Autopilots can and do fail—they’re complicated electronics with a lot of moving parts. Single-handers venturing far offshore will likely want to have an entire backup unit installed or use their autopilot in concert with a manual windvane.
For boats looking to travel long distances or make overnight passages, there is no substitution for having a spare set of eyes on board. All vessels operate on the concept of “see and avoid,” meaning each captain’s responsibility to watch out for other traffic. If a single-hander is busy doing something else, like letting the autopilot drive the boat while they make their supper, who’s “on watch?”
There is only one electronic device that can be used as a second set of eyes, and that’s a good quality marine radar. All modern units allow operators to set up “guard zones.” The unit will monitor a pre-determined zone around the boat and notify you if an object is detected inside that zone.
Of course, there are other benefits to having radar on board. It can see through rain and fog. If you’re sailing solo, there’s no reason not to have a second set of eyes on board, even if they’re electronic.
Once you’ve got a reliable autopilot and radar on board, you can move from the items you need into the items you might want. If you have an autopilot that works and you plan your actions carefully, you can likely handle any vessel without the following equipment. But these items might make it all a little more pleasant and are worth considering.
Electric Windlass and Winches
Cruising vessels that anchor regularly often have electric windlasses. These make hoisting the anchor and chain back aboard as easy as pressing a button. While manual windlasses enable you to bring up very heavy ground tackle, they take a long time to do it and require an awful lot of elbow grease.
The same applies to sailing winches on larger boats. Electric winches are complex and do take a lot of power, but they also make hoisting and handling big sails a breeze.
Line Control From the Cockpit
Pretty much every sailboat has the most crucial control lines rigged to the cockpit. Jib and main sheets are the perfect examples. But some boats go one step further, also running halyards and reefing lines to the cockpit, too.
There are plusses and minuses to this approach. Running these lines from the base of the mast aft to the cockpit increases the drag on the system, meaning it will take more effort to hoist or tighten the lines. But the security of not having to leave the cockpit if you don’t have to is worth the investment, so long as you have the rope clutches and winch power to make it all work.
Some sailors balk at the idea of running these lines aft, often citing that they’ll have to go forward if something goes wrong. But most of the time, they won’t have to. Fewer trips up on deck at sea means a safer and easier voyage all around. For the single-hander especially, the more you can do from one position, the better.
The layout of how the lines are run to the cockpit is important, too. This is often more a factor in the yacht’s design than something you can easily play with. But where applicable, a sailor will want to spend considerable time thinking about where they want to put lines and how they want to get them there.
Rig Simplicity
The simpler the rig, the easier it is to sail. While nearly all production boats are sloops, the catboat has some distinct advantages here. With only one big sail to worry about, the amount of work and line handling is instantly reduced by two (or three, in the case of ketches or cutters). Catboats like the Nonsuch are known to be excellent performers and are super easy to sail. There are a few cat-rigged schooners out there, too.
There are many variations of traditional sailplans that have been played with on modern boats. Junk rigs, for example, are simple to create and very easy to sail. They’re complex in their setup and not very common on fiberglass boats, however.
If you’re looking for something easy to handle, efficient, and really wild, check out this article from Sail Magazine featuring some of the cutting-edge things found on yachts and the very interesting AeroRig.
Related: Best Trailerable Sailboats
Self-Tending Headsails
Some sloops have smaller headsails that are “self-tending.” This is another way of saying that these sails don’t need to be tacked, you can trim them like a mainsail, and you can tack the boat simply by turning the helm. That’s a considerable reduction in workload for the crew, whether they’re a single-hander or not.
Roller Furlers on Sails
Headsails can either be hanked on or rolled up on a furler. A furler means less hoisting, and you can open the sail from the cockpit. Although somewhat less common, mainsails can be furled too. Some boats have in-mast furlers. On boats with large full-batten mainsails, in-boom furlers are becoming more common.
The advantage of these systems is that they make reefing and reducing sail extremely easy. The hassle, of course, is that they have more moving parts and are expensive to install.
Cockpit Layout
The cockpit layout is about more than just the rigging. You’ll also want to take note of where and how the electronics are mounted. For example, is there a handheld VHF or do you have to go down below every time you make or answer a radio call? Are the chartplotter and radar in easy view of the helm? These are easy things to fix but worth looking at and thinking about as you set the boat up.
Easy Docking
Finally, the boat should be easy to dock single-handed. Of course, it’s always preferable to have help on the dock to get the slip safely. But this doesn’t always happen, so you should be prepared to do it yourself.
Many sailboats benefit from having a bow thruster installed, as this can help control the bow when docking in close quarters, especially in crosswind situations.
The overall size of the boat is an important factor, too. You can single hand huge yachts, which is all well and good until it comes time to dock it.
Monohulls Rigged for Easy-Operation
The good news is that you can rig nearly any boat for safe and easy single-handing. The newer the boat, the more likely it will already be set up for single-handing. Modern items like line organizers and rope clutches make it all the easier.
The boats below are exceptional in that they step away from the now ubiquitous Bermuda sloop rig. As a result, they may lose some performance abilities in some conditions, but they more than make up for it in their ease of handling.
Nonsuch 36/40
Nonsuches are distinctive boats—they are some of the only large catboats on the water today. They’re rigged with a large mainsail that is made easy to control by a wishbone boom rigging system. In effect, this makes handling a Nonsuch much like sailing a giant windsurfing board. The larger Nonsuches come from the drawing board of respected marine architect Mark Ellis.
With only one sail, the boat is straightforward to operate. First, hoist the main, and then control it with a single sheet. Tacks and jibes are easy. Reefing is as simple as letting out the halyard a little and reducing sail.
Freedom has made various interesting and straightforward rigs that contrast with the run-of-the-mill sloops found in most marinas. The number one thing you’ll notice about Freedoms is their distinctive tapered un-stayed mast. With no spreaders and no standing rigging, Freedoms look sleek from the outset.
Several models of Freedom are catboats rigged with a giant mainsail. Others, like the popular 36, are free-standing, fractionally-rigged sloops with a tiny, self-tending jib. This is the best of both worlds since the jib will provide extra power when going upwind and presents very little extra work for the crew.
Picking a catamaran for solo sailing may seem counterintuitive since they are so much larger than monohulls. But most modern catamarans are rigged from the factory for single-handed sailing. These boats are designed from the ground up for charter work—meaning that a captain will do all the work while their guests enjoy themselves. This flies in the face of the design ethos shared by most older “classic plastic” monohulls built for the club racing scene.
Most cruising catamarans are rigged with straightforward fractional sloop rigs with large, full-batten mainsails. The mains typically feature slab reefing, and the foresails are almost always mounted on furlers. Operating these boats is as simple as hoisting the main and then unrolling the jib.
Leopard 39/40 (circa 2010)
Leopard catamarans, built by Robertson and Caine of South Africa, is the sole supplier of catamarans to The Moorings yacht charter company worldwide. But their boats are equally popular among private owners who want the catamaran lifestyle and ease of sailing.
Unlike competing brands, Leopard embraced the idea of the single-handed operator from their earliest designs. Even some of their original boats, the 38, 45, and 47 (circa 1998), had excellent walk-through helm stations with all lines led to them. As a result, you can perform every task on these boats—from hoisting the main, unfurling the jib, reefing, and even trimming the traveler—while keeping one hand on the helm.
Lagoon 39/40/42 (2015 and newer)
Lagoon is Leopard’s main competitor, but if you look at their older designs, they spent years catching up to Leopard in terms of helm positioning and single-handed operations. This changed dramatically when Lagoon introduced the 39 around 2015 and the 42 and 46 a few years later.
This new generation of Lagoons went one step better than Leopard. They have ditched the enormous and powerful mainsail in favor of a larger and self-tending jib. These boats carry their masts much farther aft than other catamarans, and the design is more similar to the Prouts of the 1990s than other modern catamarans.
But this setup makes two significant improvements. First, it reduces the power of the sometimes difficult to control mainsail. Second, it also adds self-tacking abilities to the headsail. And since most cats use furling light-wind sails for downwind and calm-day sailing, no real performance loss results.
Prout Snowgoose (circa 1987)
An older boat that is underrated these days is the Prout 37 Snowgoose. These boats featured a double headsail paired with a very small and easy to tend main. While the headsails aren’t self-tacking, they are both usually mounted on furlers. This provides a lot of sail plan options for offshore adventures. Additionally, the mast on these boats is located so far aft as to be even with the helm, meaning you can do reefing and hoisting chores without leaving the cockpit.
Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.
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A legendary model
Easy to handle whether a beginner or expert
The Outremer 45 is a 48 ft catamaran. Easy to control from the helm station, everything is within reach and the clear view over the four corners of the boat guarantees perfect maneuvers, even single-handed.
With its narrow hulls and light weight, the feeling of gliding, well wedged in a comfortable seat with tiller in hand, is exhilarating.
But don’t worry if you leave the helm to the autopilot or if the wind gets stronger: the Outremer 45 is the most forgiving of catamarans. Peace of mind while cruising is non-negotiable on an Outremer, including on this single-handed catamaran.
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Ideal sailing ergonomics
All maneuvers are accessible from the helm station, located at the center of the boat. With a perfect view of the four corners of the catamaran and the sails, single-handed maneuvering is child’s play! After hoisting the mainsail on your own, using the electric winch in front of you, trimming and fine-tuning your sails with the mainsail and solent sheets, take the tiller, comfortably installed in the ergonomic seat, to enjoy unique steering pleasure. Returning to port, the engine controls and windlass are also within easy reach, guaranteeing seemless maneuvering.
Unmatched view of the horizon
The 360° view from the saloon and cockpit of this blue water catamaran provides exceptional visibility of the water and the surrounding environment, contributing greatly to onboard comfort. Aboard the Outremer 45, whether sitting or standing, inside or outside, the vision is perfect. A crucial factor for serene cruising! No need to climb on deck to scan the horizon, night watches will never have seemed as comfortable as at the chart table!
Easy access
The very low boom allows easy access to the mainsail, lowers the sail’s center of effort and optimizes performance and comfort at sea. Access to the coachroof is made simple with just one step near the mast, and even the youngest can take part in maneuvers under the watchful eye of the skipper. When it’s time to reef or stow the sail, no acrobatics are required, and you stay safe. All these well-thought elements make the Outremer 45 the ideal catamaran for either beginners or a single-person crew.
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DOCKING STERN TO: Leopard 45 Catamaran Singlehanded
How to Dock Single Handed?
Single handed docking -- FINALLY! : r/sailing
Docking Single-handed シングルハンドでのドッキング練習✨
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COMMENTS
SINGLE-HANDED DOCKING IN 20 KNOT CROSSWIND
Don't let crosswind docking be intimidating! David (Royal Navy Yachtmaster), demonstrates how to dock this 40-foot Catamaran single-handed in 20-knots of cro...
Driving and Docking a Catamaran: Guide for Boaters
Docking a Catamaran. Docking a catamaran requires a combination of skills and careful attention to the conditions. The wider beam, lighter weight, and susceptibility to wind present unique challenges. However, with some practice, catamarans can be docked smoothly and efficiently. 1. Approach at an Angle. When docking a catamaran, the first rule ...
Single-handed Docking Procedures
Senior Cruiser. Join Date: May 2003. Location: Chesapeake Bay. Boat: Sabre 28-2. Posts: 3,197. Images: 37. Single-handed Docking Procedures. I saw a bit of discussion on this in the single-hander thread, but thought it might be good to break it out as a separate discussion.
How To Dock a Catamaran (Step-by-Step For Beginners)
Approach the Dock With the Bow at About a 45° Angle. Once again, remember, slow is good when it comes to docking, whichever way you do it. As you approach your berth at the dock, turn the bow at about 45° to the dock. To get the angle, put the outer engine into forward and the inner to neutral.
Big catamaran 45+ single hand friendly
Join Date: Sep 2012. Location: Virgin Islands. Boat: PDQ 36, 36'5", previously Leopard 45 cat and Hunter 33 mono. Posts: 1,345. Re: Big catamaran 45+ single hand friendly. What makes a cat easy to singlehand, has little to do with winch position, lines led aft, and all those things that salesmen talk about.
Single Handed Docking Question
Re: Single Handed Docking Question. Generally a mid cleat spring is the best. GEt it hooked on (a short one) then turn your rudder to opposite side of the finger pier, give the engine a little forward gas and the stern and midship will sidle nicely up to the pier allowing you to step off, and get the other lines fixed.
Best way to single hand dock to starboard with wind blowing you off:
Please let me know what you think. Thanks. 1) Touch the starboard dock midway with the bow. 2) turn wheel full counter clock wise to port. 3) engine forward at 1000 rpm's. 4) jump off bow (perhaps with boat hook) to secure bow spring line. 5) secure bow or stern line depending on which is off dock farther. 6) if stern is too far off dock jump ...
How do YOU setup your slip to come in single handed? : r/sailing
Come in slowly to your slip, under power. When the first cleat on the dock is on your beam, leave the helm, go to the bight and drop/loop it around that dock cleat. Put your helm over to the opposite side of your docking line (so your bow is pulling away from the line). Keep going forward.
Every Single-Handed Sailing Technique the Pros Use
Have your docking lines and fenders ready before approaching the mooring area. Approach slowly to maintain better control of your boat and reduce the risk of collisions. Use a boat hook to help you reach the mooring lines or buoy. Secure your boat by attaching the bow line first, followed by the stern and spring lines.
Sailboat Docking
DOCKING UNDER POWER. In this sailboat docking video, Offshore Sailing School Founder, Steve Colgate, shows you the best way to dock under power. This simple system gives you excellent control whether you are sailing with others or single-handed. Here are some helpful hints on how to dock a sailboat: Set up your aft amidships spring line first
Docking Made Easy Videos
Download Now. Learn how to dock a sailboat under sail, or under power, in a variety of different scenarios. Sailing legend Peter Isler walks us through the process using animations and live action footage. Understand the techniques and skills required by both skipper and crew in order to make your docking experiences safe and easy.
Can You Sail a Catamaran By Yourself?
You can sail most small and medium-sized cruising catamarans by yourself. Thanks to technological advances such as electric winches and powered sail control, it's easier than ever to sail a catamaran single handed. In this article, we'll go over the nuances of sailing a catamaran by yourself. We'll cover the different sizes of catamarans and ...
Catamaran Manoeuvring Tips & Leaving a Marina
How to Leave a Dock and Manoeuvre Around a MarinaIn our second episode of the Inspire and Learn Series, catamaran expert Joe Fox talks us through how to effe...
How to Dock and Swing a Catamaran
Updated: July 19, 2013. Bows First: With strong current sweeping from ahead and boats fore and aft, use a fender on the stern quarter to swing the bows clear. Apply just enough thrust with the port engine to keep the boat from going backward into the dock; a spring line may be helpful. Power in reverse on the starboard engine until the bows are ...
First Singlehanded Docking and Undocking
First Singlehanded Docking and Undocking. Docking / August 30, 2021 by TJ / 1 Comment. On a calm day I did my first solo docking and undocking with S/V Counterpoint, my Bristol 45.5. I was only going as far as the pumpout dock and there were plenty of folks around who would have been willing to help with lines but conditions were great so I ...
Single handed docking help
1. Don't fight the wind 2. A post is easier to reach than a pontoon cleat. 3. The midship cleat is the first to get on when single handed. 4. It is easy to warp a yacht into position ( mine was 17 tons) Fenders out and lines from all four corners and midships run back to the rails by the cockpit.Set up outside the marina while you have sea room.
Living the dream single handed onboard 50ft Lagoon
Being a practical person he was also looking for something he could comfortably manage single handed and also perform well, for him, Lagoon ticked all the boxes. ... In this episode, join Joe Fox as he walks you through the intricate process of docking a catamaran in a tight berth with a crosswind. read more. A Perfect Day Aboard the PRESTIGE ...
How to Dock and Undock a Catamaran
Catamaran, with its two engines wide apart, one engine on each hull, could maneuver in a tight space and turn pretty much in its own length. This video will ...
The secret to fast and easy mooring: the midships spring
Single-handed sailing There are numerous small variations on the theme - a common one for single-handed sailors is to lead the spring through the bridge of the cleat (or via a block near the toerail) and then take it back to a primary winch in the cockpit. A bowline is then tied in the end of the line and dropped onto a cleat on the pontoon.
39 Vital Tips, How To Sail a Catamaran! (For Beginners, The Fun and
In contrary to many beliefs, cats can be sailed single-handed. Another myth is that catamarans are harder to sail than their monohull counterpart; this is simply not true in a general sense. If the boat is set up for shorthanded sailing, it will most certainly be easier to sail than its heeling and leaning sister ship, the monohull.
What are the Best Single-Handed Sailboats and Catamarans?
Finally, the boat should be easy to dock single-handed. Of course, it's always preferable to have help on the dock to get the slip safely. ... Best Single-Handed Sailing Catamarans. Picking a catamaran for solo sailing may seem counterintuitive since they are so much larger than monohulls. But most modern catamarans are rigged from the ...
How To Park Your Catamaran
In our Docking Episode, Part 2 Joe Fox explains how to park your catamaran bow first and stern first. This demonstration was done on the Lagoon 42 and is int...
Ideal single-handed catamaran, Outremer 45
A legendary model. Easy to handle whether a beginner or expert. The Outremer 45 is a 48 ft catamaran. Easy to control from the helm station, everything is within reach and the clear view over the four corners of the boat guarantees perfect maneuvers, even single-handed. With its narrow hulls and light weight, the feeling of gliding, well wedged ...
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Don't let crosswind docking be intimidating! David (Royal Navy Yachtmaster), demonstrates how to dock this 40-foot Catamaran single-handed in 20-knots of cro...
Docking a Catamaran. Docking a catamaran requires a combination of skills and careful attention to the conditions. The wider beam, lighter weight, and susceptibility to wind present unique challenges. However, with some practice, catamarans can be docked smoothly and efficiently. 1. Approach at an Angle. When docking a catamaran, the first rule ...
Senior Cruiser. Join Date: May 2003. Location: Chesapeake Bay. Boat: Sabre 28-2. Posts: 3,197. Images: 37. Single-handed Docking Procedures. I saw a bit of discussion on this in the single-hander thread, but thought it might be good to break it out as a separate discussion.
Approach the Dock With the Bow at About a 45° Angle. Once again, remember, slow is good when it comes to docking, whichever way you do it. As you approach your berth at the dock, turn the bow at about 45° to the dock. To get the angle, put the outer engine into forward and the inner to neutral.
Join Date: Sep 2012. Location: Virgin Islands. Boat: PDQ 36, 36'5", previously Leopard 45 cat and Hunter 33 mono. Posts: 1,345. Re: Big catamaran 45+ single hand friendly. What makes a cat easy to singlehand, has little to do with winch position, lines led aft, and all those things that salesmen talk about.
Re: Single Handed Docking Question. Generally a mid cleat spring is the best. GEt it hooked on (a short one) then turn your rudder to opposite side of the finger pier, give the engine a little forward gas and the stern and midship will sidle nicely up to the pier allowing you to step off, and get the other lines fixed.
Please let me know what you think. Thanks. 1) Touch the starboard dock midway with the bow. 2) turn wheel full counter clock wise to port. 3) engine forward at 1000 rpm's. 4) jump off bow (perhaps with boat hook) to secure bow spring line. 5) secure bow or stern line depending on which is off dock farther. 6) if stern is too far off dock jump ...
Come in slowly to your slip, under power. When the first cleat on the dock is on your beam, leave the helm, go to the bight and drop/loop it around that dock cleat. Put your helm over to the opposite side of your docking line (so your bow is pulling away from the line). Keep going forward.
Have your docking lines and fenders ready before approaching the mooring area. Approach slowly to maintain better control of your boat and reduce the risk of collisions. Use a boat hook to help you reach the mooring lines or buoy. Secure your boat by attaching the bow line first, followed by the stern and spring lines.
DOCKING UNDER POWER. In this sailboat docking video, Offshore Sailing School Founder, Steve Colgate, shows you the best way to dock under power. This simple system gives you excellent control whether you are sailing with others or single-handed. Here are some helpful hints on how to dock a sailboat: Set up your aft amidships spring line first
Download Now. Learn how to dock a sailboat under sail, or under power, in a variety of different scenarios. Sailing legend Peter Isler walks us through the process using animations and live action footage. Understand the techniques and skills required by both skipper and crew in order to make your docking experiences safe and easy.
You can sail most small and medium-sized cruising catamarans by yourself. Thanks to technological advances such as electric winches and powered sail control, it's easier than ever to sail a catamaran single handed. In this article, we'll go over the nuances of sailing a catamaran by yourself. We'll cover the different sizes of catamarans and ...
How to Leave a Dock and Manoeuvre Around a MarinaIn our second episode of the Inspire and Learn Series, catamaran expert Joe Fox talks us through how to effe...
Updated: July 19, 2013. Bows First: With strong current sweeping from ahead and boats fore and aft, use a fender on the stern quarter to swing the bows clear. Apply just enough thrust with the port engine to keep the boat from going backward into the dock; a spring line may be helpful. Power in reverse on the starboard engine until the bows are ...
First Singlehanded Docking and Undocking. Docking / August 30, 2021 by TJ / 1 Comment. On a calm day I did my first solo docking and undocking with S/V Counterpoint, my Bristol 45.5. I was only going as far as the pumpout dock and there were plenty of folks around who would have been willing to help with lines but conditions were great so I ...
1. Don't fight the wind 2. A post is easier to reach than a pontoon cleat. 3. The midship cleat is the first to get on when single handed. 4. It is easy to warp a yacht into position ( mine was 17 tons) Fenders out and lines from all four corners and midships run back to the rails by the cockpit.Set up outside the marina while you have sea room.
Being a practical person he was also looking for something he could comfortably manage single handed and also perform well, for him, Lagoon ticked all the boxes. ... In this episode, join Joe Fox as he walks you through the intricate process of docking a catamaran in a tight berth with a crosswind. read more. A Perfect Day Aboard the PRESTIGE ...
Catamaran, with its two engines wide apart, one engine on each hull, could maneuver in a tight space and turn pretty much in its own length. This video will ...
Single-handed sailing There are numerous small variations on the theme - a common one for single-handed sailors is to lead the spring through the bridge of the cleat (or via a block near the toerail) and then take it back to a primary winch in the cockpit. A bowline is then tied in the end of the line and dropped onto a cleat on the pontoon.
In contrary to many beliefs, cats can be sailed single-handed. Another myth is that catamarans are harder to sail than their monohull counterpart; this is simply not true in a general sense. If the boat is set up for shorthanded sailing, it will most certainly be easier to sail than its heeling and leaning sister ship, the monohull.
Finally, the boat should be easy to dock single-handed. Of course, it's always preferable to have help on the dock to get the slip safely. ... Best Single-Handed Sailing Catamarans. Picking a catamaran for solo sailing may seem counterintuitive since they are so much larger than monohulls. But most modern catamarans are rigged from the ...
In our Docking Episode, Part 2 Joe Fox explains how to park your catamaran bow first and stern first. This demonstration was done on the Lagoon 42 and is int...
A legendary model. Easy to handle whether a beginner or expert. The Outremer 45 is a 48 ft catamaran. Easy to control from the helm station, everything is within reach and the clear view over the four corners of the boat guarantees perfect maneuvers, even single-handed. With its narrow hulls and light weight, the feeling of gliding, well wedged ...