[C320-list] One Sail in High winds

[Christopher Nichols]

I hate making any holes in a boat so tried to adapt to what is already there.

For single handing I find I have reasonable control standing in front of the wheel so reaching winches is not an issue. In thin water and challenging navigation I just peak round to see the chart plotter and instruments occasionally.

For tacks I engage autopilot, drop the mail down the track, load the windward winch, take leward one out of self tail and holding the sheet hit +1and +10 simultaneously on the autopilot causing the boat to tack (or -1, -10 as appropriate). Release the leeward sheet and heave on the new one. 
The double button tap makes the auto helm turn about 90 degrees pretty smartly.

For reefing the main similarly, with the genoa about 20pct furled, engage autopilot when close hauled, drop the main to the Leeward side of the track. Ensure Dutchman line is in the jammer at the end of the boom. 
Release mainsheet and ease the vang. 
Drop main halyard about 5 feet and take up slack on the reefing line. As the tension comes on the reefing line I put this in the self tailing and winch it with one arm while continuing to ease the main halyard as necessary with the other. Take up on the main halyard and reset track, mainsheet and vang. Job done.
This seems to work without flogging the main too much because the genoa acts as a back wind cushion. Might not work as well with the genoa more fully furled so pays to do this relatively early, say about 20 to 22 knots ie for me when I'd otherwise (fully crewed) reduce genoa further so my mainsheetman could drive us through lulls.

Boat speed falls to 2 or 3 kts during the process  ie needs to be enough for the auto helm to maintain direction. So do not aim too high initially when setting the autohelm.

Fair winds

Chris Nichols
C320 Amanda Rose, 476


On 1 Aug 2012, at 13:53, millers1 at aol.com wrote:



I single hand a lot and have only owned a c320 for three weeks.   I would be interested in 
feedback on how the boat can be improved for single / short handed sailing .  
Add  winches in the cockpit for easier head sail control from helm position??
I have Auto helm, but do need to reef the main (controlled from cockpit).
Art    #680


-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Danko <320kend at att.net>
To: C320-List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Tue, Jul 31, 2012 6:40 pm
Subject: [C320-list] One Sail in High winds


Lately I have been experimenting with using only one sail in high winds. 
I have tried using my 100% jib (and no main) and my main with the first 
reef point (and no jib). The usual afternoon winds here during the 
summer are about 24 knots with gusts to 29 in some parts of the bay. On 
a really windy day the wind can be almost 10 knots higher. I am not 
racing and my guests (crew) usually don't want to sit on the rail and 
sometimes I single hand Grace. Using one sail has proved to be a pretty 
good solution for traversing the most windy parts of the bay. I was 
wondering if anyone in the group had some 
thoughts/suggestions/guidelines for using one sail.

Ken Danko
Grace, #802
San Francisco