Sailing solo on a sailboat requires some organization and a few precautions to ensure a safe outing. Let’s look at the challenges of solo sailing and consider some tips for a smooth and enjoyable solo voyage.
Going to sea alone on your boat isn’t just for Vendée Globe skippers. Solo sailing isn’t solely about offshore passages, reserved for professional skippers or recreational sailors with 20 years of experience. Many of us head out to sea for a coastal cruise or even just a weekend getaway. And if we’re not alone on the boat, we often sail with a small crew or as a family. And in the latter case, The maneuvers are often done alone, the spouse keeping an eye on the children.
So, let’s think about this together. to the difficulties of sailing alone
Leaving your berth when you are alone on the boat
The first difficulty, This problem arises when we need to leave the port. Indeed, casting off all the mooring lines and leaving one’s berth without touching the pontoon or a neighboring boat is not always easy. It requires to know the boat’s behavior, especially when reversing.
The first idea is to prepare your maneuver thoroughly by casting off all the mooring lines except for one line, located amidships. This line will allow you to board the boat and reach the helm. Take the time to carefully observe the wind and current direction. There’s only one rule: Take your time and stay put. And it’s obviously the same when you have to… moor your boat, alone.
If you have the choice, a berth in the harbor, on a buoyThat’s still the ideal. The maneuver will be much simpler. But here, the danger lies elsewhere: The risk of falling overboard is significant when transferring from the dinghy to the boat.
Maneuvering solo on a sailboat
The second difficulty, of solo navigationThis comes into play during maneuvers at sea. But I don’t think I’m the only one who believes that the difficulties at sea are far less significant than in port. Here, the difficulty lies in the fact that you only have two hands and two legs. You can’t be on deck, at the bow of the boat, preparing a spinnaker, and at the helm at the same time.
The goal is therefore to facilitate maneuversThere are several solutions, such as:
- To have all the maneuvers that return to the cockpit
- Equip yourself with genoa furler, or even a spinnaker sock for the latter.
- Install a bar stick efficient and telescopic
- Equip yourself with autopilot
- Other ideas that you can leave in the comments 😉
Also, make sure you organize your boat well so you have everything within easy reach and avoid having to go down to the cabin to get something.
Anticipating bad weather and emergencies
One of the major difficulties, which has already put me in danger, is the ability to react when the weather deteriorates, which you risk… navigating through rough weatherIndeed, when sailing with a crew, it’s not complicated to reef the mainsail or furl the genoa. But It is therefore very important toanticipate these weather changesIt’s better to be under-canvassed and then put up more sail if the wind drops, than the other way around. The right reflexes, in my opinion, are:
- To leave the edge with a reef, if there is any doubt, rather than the opposite
- Prepare your spinnaker in advance if you’re going to be sailing downwind, or avoid using it if the weather is tight.
- Anticipate the weather (rain, fog, etc.)
Having one hand for the boat and one hand for oneself
The last difficulty is more of a risk. Indeed, by definition, sailing solo, you are alone on your boat. This means that if something happens to you, no one will be able to help you quickly. So, more than in any other situation, the famous adage applies: This is very important. It involves a few good habits:
- Inform a loved one when you go to sea
- Always wear your life jacket
- Be strapped
- Carry a smartphone with you, or a portable VHF radio.
- Keep the above advice in mind.
Having equipment for solo sailing
Finally, when you go sailing alone, certain pieces of equipment are very practical, making your life easier and your navigation safer. Rather than listing them all, I invite you to read the article below, which is very comprehensive on the subject of the equipment necessary for solo sailing.