Single Handed Cruising

[TangaroaV]

Hi all,

My wife and I planned our retirement, ( May 2008), as full time cruisers. In 2003 we bought a 1988 Corbin 39 and started to get the boat and crew ready. We have been sailing lake Champlain, NY. We had prior cruising experience including a 1984 six month cruise with our two teenage sons on a 27 ft Fantasia, from North Africa to Plymouth England.

Tragedy strucked last july when the admiral\cook\bosun\first mate....etc, passed away in a car accident.

After much grieving and questionning, I decided to keep to our original plan. Annette will always be with me in my heart and mind, but I am now a singlehanded sailor.

I would welcome any information on singlehanded full time cruisers.

TangaroaV

[Nausikaa]

Welcome aboard Tangaroa,

It is wonderful to have you here with us and I can only say that it is a great shame your co-sailor is not here too. Nevertheless, I am sure that you are keeping her memory very much alive by deciding to carry on with the plans you hatched together. Good luck with them.

I am sure you will find lots of useful information here about sailing and cruising in general as well as about single-handing. Much of my time afloat is also spent single-handing; sometimes by choice and other times due to my sons having other committments. It is a challange but nothing to be feared. In fact, when sailing alone I enjoy not being responsible for anyone but myself.

Aye // Stephen

[Lighthouse]

Originally Posted by TangaroaV

After much grieving and questionning, I decided to keep to our original plan. Annette will always be with me in my heart and mind, but I am now a singlehanded sailor.

Make youself at home - you're among friends!

[Auzzee]

You can now look forward to sailing Annette's spirit around the world. I once met an amazing american man who went by the unfortunate name of Cap'n Jim. He was sailing the spirit of his partner on all the world's seas.

His story was touching, human and uplifting. I wish you the same happiness, and spiritual support as he was experiencing during every day of his life.

Sail on!

David.

[imagine2frolic]

From somewhere there is a smile pointed in your direction. She will be happy for you, and proud of you to continue on. I am sure she will be that angel we all need on our shoulder looking out for us.

I did about 4000 miles on my own, and my advice is to go bigger on everything you can. It will be less strenous to get the tougher jobs done.

I will give one example. I went 50% larger on my anchor for what it was rated in a storm. Not once did I have to get out of bed in the middle of the night because of dragging. Many times I had to be patient to get the darned thing up. When you don't have someone to run the throttle, and tranny while trying to stop the anchor from dragging it can get worrisome. This will apply to everything from furling to autopilot, reefing, etc. etc.

[TangaroaV]

'' I did about 4000 miles on my own, and my advice is to go bigger on everything you can. It will be less strenous to get the tougher jobs done. ''

This is good advice and I will follow it.

Thanks for the encouragement

Tangaroa

[Nausikaa]

I am sure you made the right decision and that Anette's spitit will be with you all the way, as we are too. Please keep us posted, when you can, letting us know how the voyage develops.

Aye // Stephen

[cartooncorpse]

i was made an involuntary single hander by different circumstances. i too have heard/read the 'go bigger' advice and plan to use it. i've also bought some singlehand sailing books. though i don't have ready access to them right now. i'll be happy to pass along the biblios when i do. as they were recommended to me from singlehanders. which i find to be discouraged these days.

[Ferragut]

Ahoy there!

I am a new member (today). I read your posting with sympatico, and a similar situation here. I planned a seavoyage for last three years, with an experienced crew of five, etc. and the captain is gone now. I'm back to square one, but I'm always interested in sailing with those who like a sailmate along, whose schedule is open. (newbie sailor, with ASA keelboat course and other introductory programs and lessons). Very interested in sailing.

Please respond to "Ferragut" if you are ever in the mid-Atlantic states coastal North Carolina area (USA). Beaufort is the hailing port of a lot of sailors, and I am just west on the ICW (Emerald Isle). I'll give you my alternate email, and we can chat for a bit online.

LJF6513@yahoo.com --- and keep the Faith, your memories alive, and be the happy sailor she wants you to be !! (Smiles) and Fairwinds, Ferragut