Sailing Pocketship solo
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 6:03 pmThe recent posts by "aimless" and "Tattoo" have me a little worried. I had thought of the Pocketship as a small enough boat that it could be sailed solo without too much hassle. Got this idea mostly from looking at pictures and watching videos of John Harris and others sailing it by themselves (yes I know John is a very experienced sailor and I would not try it on my own without a lot of sailing it under my belt). Anyway, my wife is getting a little rickety so I won't always be able to take her along and I don't know a lot of sailors in my area, so there will be times when I want to take it out by myself. (Might be moving to Wisconsin, but if I stay in Oklahoma big winds have been known to appear very suddenly and without warning here).
Pete (Tattoo) mentioned that he has a tiller clutch, but that still doesn't allow him much time for reefing or other jobs that require two hands (winds do have a way of shifting). I mentioned the idea of a wheel-tiller conversion, but agree with Pete that that would be very complicated and still not give you two free hands.
What about a tiller extension that either folds or slides out far enough to reach the companionway? If you're not having to make any big tiller moves while reefing, you could control it with your butt (as long as you don't get "goosed"
)--or maybe some kind of foot sling? This is starting to sound like a circus act.
I hope John chimes in on this. I may be making a mountain of a mole-hill.
Pete (Tattoo) mentioned that he has a tiller clutch, but that still doesn't allow him much time for reefing or other jobs that require two hands (winds do have a way of shifting). I mentioned the idea of a wheel-tiller conversion, but agree with Pete that that would be very complicated and still not give you two free hands.
What about a tiller extension that either folds or slides out far enough to reach the companionway? If you're not having to make any big tiller moves while reefing, you could control it with your butt (as long as you don't get "goosed"
)--or maybe some kind of foot sling? This is starting to sound like a circus act.I hope John chimes in on this. I may be making a mountain of a mole-hill.