Set Up Ideas wanted for Singlehandling

[rob.lovelace]

Not my idea but I used it today and it works great. When I go to the mast to put a reef in then go back to the cockpit to winch it back up the reefing cringle drops off the hook. I cut a foam rubber wedge (like of an old thong) and put it in the reefing cringle above the hook it holds it in place. It works well, try it.

[karl010203]

Thanks Rob -- will have to try... I have a few of these ideas on the list to get into over the Xmas break...

[rob.lovelace]

I've marked the main sail Halyard with permanant texta on all the reefing points at the back of the jammer (1ring =first reef 2 ring second etc) so I just let the halyard go to the required mark and jam it with the mark at the front of the jammer this gives me enough slack to fix the cringle and I dont have to worry about the sail dropping and everything getting out the gate when I open it. then back to the cocpit, hey presto pull her up a touch and its done.

[lockie]

I reckon an autopilot is almost essential for longer soloing trips. Sheet-to-tiller would be good for long reaching passages but probably takes a fair while to set up. Whereas you can bung your autopilot on in a few seconds. Very handy when reefing, something goes wrong, you're crook or hungry, need a leak (or worse), need to work the radio etc etc. I find on my longer (3 days or more) solo trips, I'm pretty tired by day 3, and the autopilot lets me take a rest whenever I need to (so long as everything is stable). I'd almost call it a safety item for any more than a one-day lone-wolf expedition.

cheers, lockie