[C320-list] Single Handed Sailing

[Charles Martin]

Thank you to all who responded to my query on single handed sailing on the
C320.  I am always amazed by the depth and breadth of knowledge and
experience of the members of our association.

I will provide a response to all the advice I received once I digest the
information and determine the best path forward for my situation.

Best,
Chip Martin
S/V Bonaventure, Hull #767
(410) 231-0199
chiprmartin at gmail.com

On Thu, Jan 20, 2022 at 4:18 PM Allan Field <allanfield47 at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
>