[C320-list] Single Handed Sailing

[mark]

Chip,

I do about 90% of my sailing on my 320 singlehanded.  As Allan noted, having the control lines led to the cockpit helps, but there is no way to simultaneously handle the helm and the mainsheet and reefing lines on the cabin top.  An autopilot helps a lot.  But it'll be some pretty interesting gymnastics if I ever have to blow the main to avoid a knockdown.  (Reef early, for a lot of reasons.)

If you search the Association website some owners have done modifications that brought the mainsheet back to the rear of the cockpit, and have photos in their picture galleries.  I haven't tried either of the systems shown in the photos.  I've wondered, If I really wanted to be ambitious,  what it would take to have an arch made, so I could move both the traveler and mainsheet back within reach of the helm.  But so far, I just count on reefing in time, and using the autopilot to handle the helm when I want to be away from the wheel.

I also have a system of lines that makes getting in and out of my slip pretty stress free.  But they only work if you have pilings or a finger pier on both sides of the slip.  If you're interested, e-mail me at mseyler at cox.net, and I'll be happy to explain it.

The 320 is a great boat to singlehand.  With planning and practice, you can do just about anything.

Fair winds,

Mark Seyler
S/V Reality,
Catalina 320, #232
New Orleans, LA


-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Allan Field
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2022 3:18 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Single Handed Sailing

I did a lot of single handed sailing when I owned a C320. On the plus-side, all lines coming aft to the cockpit, including the reefing lines (I put a second reef in the main after buying the boat that came only with a single reef point and line) helps a lot. On the negative side, there are 2 big ones. The first is having to go up on the coach roof to tie down the sail, even with the Dutchman in place to help with the stacking. On my C387, I have a roller furling main which keeps me where I belong - in the cockpit!
The second negative is the single set of larger winches in the cockpit, both forward of the helm. To help compensate for both of these, I invested in a remote handheld autohelm. While up on the deck stowing the sail, I could control the boat with the handheld (except for boat speed). This also allowed me to stand in front of the helm to tack or gybe, using the remote to control the boat while I tended to the running rigging.

It took me a while after owning the boat to figure out the best way to take a reef, especially when single handed. This is the way I did so. I first came up close hauled on the jib and let the main all the way out until it was luffing. Next step was to drop the main halyard enough to bring the new tack for the new reef point down to the boom. Next was to take the reef by pulling the new clew line tight. Next was to tighten the main halyard. Next was to bring the main back from luffing to where I wanted it to be. Next was to adjust the jib for whatever point of sail I now on with the main. I challenged myself to be able to do all this in under 2 minutes. Shaking the reef out was just in reverse - come up close hauled on the jib, let the main out, pull the main halyard back up after freeing the clew reefing line, bring the main back over, and off I'd go!

Probably the biggest challenge of single handed sailing is getting the boat back into the slip unassisted, closely followed by getting her out in the first place! But that's a story for another day!

Hope this helps!

Allan S. Field
*Sea Shadow* - C387, #103 (formerly C320, #808) Columbia, MD

On Thu, Jan 20, 2022 at 3:11 PM Charles r Martin <chiprmartin at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Has anyone modified the C320 running rigging to make it easier/safer 
> to sail when sailing alone?
>
> Best,
> Chip Martin
> S/V Bonaventure, Hull #767
> (410) 231-0199
> chiprmartin at gmail.com
>
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone