* Get a motor and don't be afraid, or embarassed, to use it
* Rig a jib downhaul
* Lead the halyards aft, where you can reach them from the cockpit. I've
installed cam cleats at the aft edge of the cabin roof with some blocks a=
t
the bottom of the mast to turn the halyards aft toward them.
* Get a Tiller Tamer or some other way to hold the tiller in place withou=
t
you.
* Learn to heave-to (this is a very useful technique, and it's also reall=
y
impressive when a passenger gets nervous and asks" how you'd stop this
thing if you had to" 8-) ).
* Practice approaching a buoy from downwind (I tie up at a buoy, too. I
snag the line with a boathook from my seat at the helm/outboard and hook
the line to a stern cleat until things settle down. Then I walk it forwar=
d
to its proper place, hooked to the bow eye).
* * Most important, take your time and think about what you're doing.
* * Also, consider rigging a _mailsail_ downhaul. That, along with
lubricating the sail slugs (and the jib downhaul mentioned above), allows=
me to force both sails down without relying on gravity (which can sometim=
es
lose the battle with a strong wind). Lazy jacks are also a possibility,
though I'm a little concerned about them tangling in the battens. =
I lower the jib first, then the main. Once both sails are down, you don't=
have to worry quite so much about keeping her headed into the wind and ca=
n
leave the helm for a minute to get the main tied to the boom. I use a
"centipede", a length of bungee cord stretched the length of the boom wit=
h
shorter pieces (each of which has a wooden peg on one end and a loop on t=
he
other) at intervals across it. I got mine at US Boat (I liked the wooden=
pegs rather than the plastic hooks on the one from West Marine). This is
permanently mounted under the boom; when I want to tie the main down, the=
shorter pieces are within easy reach. I can capture the main in well unde=
r
a minute. =
I single-hand my P19 most of the time. Although she's now in the water
full-time (well, as full-time as you can do in Minnesnowta) so I don't ha=
ve
to worry about mast raising and lowering, I have in fact done both and
trailered and launched her by myself.
Above all, enjoy yourself!
Regards,
Bill Arden
Minnetonka, MN
P19 "Thalia"