I'm not sure if anyone's mentioned this yet, but I've found that the jib
furler (I have the CDI Flexible Furler) is an excellent addition for single-
handing. It's a real comfort to get out on the water and find that you can
roll the jib up and out of the way in a matter of 5 or 10 seconds. I wouldn't
go without one now.
Single-handed docking comes along with practice; I'm new to the P19, and it's
a bit tougher than my old O'Day Javelin (14 ft), but I'm getting there. I
usually come into a boat launch where the water is pretty shallow, so I have
to raise the keel and drop the sails early; the motor comes in handy for that.
Yesterday, the launch was extremely crowded and in all of the commotion I
forgot to loosen the line that holds my rudder down. That messed me up quite
a bit--fortunately my wife was on hand as well and she jumped into the water
to straighten things up. Oops. Every time I come across a problem like that,
I figure it's the last time I'll let it happen. I'm sure my wife hopes that's
true!
Thanks,
Dave Rein
P19 #991
Belle Isle
Rochester, MN