>year, I have never asked a question.
>
>The interesting thread on single handling the mast raising and my own
>situation in which I'm beached because I have no solo experience and no
one
>I can call upon to cruise with me leads me to ask an open ended question=
>about other aspects of singlehandling the boat.
>
>Simple sail handling appears easy enough once the sails are up and in
place
>but how about the process of raising sails? How about approaching the
dock
>or slip without another pair of hands? Anchoring seems a breeze next to=
>docking. Oh yes, in the northwest we have a lot of buoys; how do I tie =
up
>on a buoy single handed? There have to be a lot of other, similar
>situations that I haven't thought of. Your answers as a group of
interested
>sailors would be appreciated and they may encourage me to get this boat
out
>of my driveway and back in the water where it belongs.
>
>Dick Neumann
>neumannr@gte.net
Dick,
Here are a few comments from not the most experienced person in the
world...but I did sail my 1994 Potter 15 " Just Wight " almost 1,000 mil=
es
in two seasons....just about all singlehanded. Here are some of the
things I did. The P -15 was my first real sailboat.
1. Although there is NOTHING like on the water experience...read
everything you can get from your libraries on sailing...how-to books, tru=
e
sailing adventure stories, etc.etc....and buy a copy of Chapman's "
Seamanship and Small Boat Handling " and study it.
2. The P -15 is easier to rig then a P -19...so I have no comment =
3. I put a trailer ball on my FRONT bumper to allow me to PUSH my boat
into the water rather then back in. I can see exactly what I'm doing. =
I
have a " bow line "....[ really a " painter " ] about 100 feet long
attached to the bow. I bring this line into my van window and hold on a=
s
I back in. When the boat floats free...I back up a bit...hop out and ti=
e
up the boat. Works well for me as a single handler launch. Retrievi=
ng
is also easier that way. Besides...I'm a lousy backer - upper.
4. You will find all books and salts saying " never cleat off the main
sheet ". Good advise!
5. Go out only on relativily calm days....like no more then 5 knots of
wind ! ! !
6. If possible, go out during the week to avoid weekend boat traffic ja=
ms
if your area is busy.
7. Take a basic boating course from the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
8. Keep at it...go as out and practice...but above all...HAVE FUN! If=
it scares the " s__t out of you, perhaps the wind or waves are too high
that day for you.. Go back home and curl up around a sailing book !
This is a hobby, a sport...and is supposed to be fun. If it isn't,
perhaps you are doing something wrong.
Bill Zeitler
Member East Coast Potter Association ;-D>
Wilmington, Delaware
Former P -15 # 2060 " Just Wight " =
Now into a modified Bay Hen 21...but a potterer at heart!
PS: Don't think it is "sissy" to use an outboard motor at times...it
could even save your life!