docking a catamaran single handed

Driving and Docking a Catamaran: Guide for Boaters

Catamarans have grown in popularity among boaters, both for recreational sailing and long-distance cruising. With their dual-hull design, they offer stability, speed, and ample space. However, driving and docking a catamaran is a unique experience compared to single-hull boats. This guide will take you through the essentials of operating and maneuvering a catamaran, covering its driving characteristics, docking tips, common challenges, and an overview of pricing and specifications for some popular models.

What Is a Catamaran?

A catamaran is a boat with two parallel hulls connected by a deck or bridge. This design provides more stability and reduces drag in the water, making catamarans faster and more efficient than monohull boats. Catamarans are known for their spacious interiors, increased living space on the deck, and shallow draft, making them perfect for coastal cruising and anchoring near shores.

There are two primary types of catamarans: sail-powered and power catamarans. Each has unique driving and docking considerations, which we’ll explore below.

Driving a Catamaran

Understanding the dual hulls.

Driving a catamaran differs from operating a monohull because of the boat’s width and the twin hulls. Here’s how the catamaran design affects driving:

Stability : The wide stance of the hulls makes catamarans more stable, reducing rolling in rough seas. However, it also means they handle differently when turning and responding to wind or current.
Manoeuvrability : Catamarans are agile, especially power catamarans, due to the ability to control each hull’s engine independently. This gives them better control, especially when docking or navigating tight spaces.
Wind Influence : Catamarans are more susceptible to wind because of their large profile and lightweight design. Sail-powered catamarans especially benefit from their ability to harness wind, but this can make them tricky to drive in strong winds when compared to monohulls.

Key Differences in Driving a Catamaran

Speed and Efficiency : Catamarans glide across the water with minimal drag, making them more efficient and often faster than their monohull counterparts. When driving, you’ll find that maintaining speed requires less fuel or wind power.
Turning Radius : Catamarans tend to have a wider turning radius, requiring more space to make turns. However, with dual engines (on power catamarans), you can pivot the boat using differential thrust, making it possible to spin in place.
Handling Waves : Unlike monohulls that cut through waves, catamarans ride over them. This makes for a smoother experience but also means that waves can impact both hulls differently, requiring you to adjust your steering.

Docking a Catamaran

Docking a catamaran requires a combination of skills and careful attention to the conditions. The wider beam, lighter weight, and susceptibility to wind present unique challenges. However, with some practice, catamarans can be docked smoothly and efficiently.

1. Approach at an Angle

When docking a catamaran, the first rule is to approach at an angle. This gives you more control and allows you to adjust for wind and current. A slow, controlled approach will help you compensate for any unexpected movements.

2. Use Differential Thrust

If your catamaran is equipped with twin engines, you can use differential thrust to your advantage. This involves using more throttle on one engine and less on the other to make precise movements, including rotating the boat to line it up with the dock.

3. Mind the Wind

Wind can have a significant impact when docking a catamaran, especially if the boat is light. Always dock into the wind if possible, as this gives you better control. If the wind is pushing you toward the dock, approach more slowly to avoid collisions.

4. Use Fenders and Lines

The width of a catamaran makes fender placement especially important. Place fenders along both sides of the boat to avoid damaging the hulls. Additionally, set up docking lines in advance, as this will help you secure the boat once it’s close to the dock.

5. Shallow Draft Considerations

One advantage of catamarans is their shallow draft, which allows you to dock closer to shore in many situations. However, be mindful of the depth and obstacles near the dock to prevent damage to the rudders or keels.

Common Challenges When Docking a Catamaran

Wide Beam : The wide stance of a catamaran can make finding appropriate dock space more difficult, especially in crowded marinas.
Windage : Catamarans are more susceptible to wind, especially when docked in open areas. Wind can easily push the boat off course, making docking more challenging.
Limited Docking Space : Some docks aren’t designed to accommodate the wider beam of a catamaran, which may require special arrangements or berthing in less accessible areas.

Price and Specifications of Popular Catamarans

To help you understand the range of options available, here’s a look at a few popular catamaran models, including their specifications and price ranges.

1. Lagoon 42 (Sailing Catamaran)

Length : 42 feet
Beam : 25 feet
Draft : 4.1 feet
Engine : 2 x 57 HP
Top Speed : 9-10 knots under sail
Price : $600,000 – $750,000 (new)
Features : The Lagoon 42 is a favorite among cruising enthusiasts, offering ample living space, a large cockpit, and easy handling. It’s ideal for long-term cruising and comes equipped with various modern amenities like solar panels and watermakers.

2. Fountaine Pajot MY 44 (Power Catamaran)

Length : 44 feet
Beam : 21.7 feet
Draft : 3.8 feet
Engine : 2 x 350 HP Volvo Penta
Top Speed : 25 knots
Price : $1.2 million – $1.5 million (new)
Features : This luxury power catamaran offers high-performance engines, exceptional maneuverability, and a spacious, modern interior. With its twin-engine setup, docking is a breeze, and it’s perfect for long-distance cruising.

3. Leopard 45 (Sailing Catamaran)

Length : 45 feet
Beam : 24 feet
Draft : 4.10 feet
Engine : 2 x 45 HP
Top Speed : 9-11 knots under sail
Price : $700,000 – $850,000 (new)
Features : Known for its robust build and reliability, the Leopard 45 is a versatile sailing catamaran that offers a well-appointed layout, plenty of deck space, and easy access to the helm for simplified docking.

4. Sunreef 50 (Luxury Catamaran)

Length : 50 feet
Beam : 30.8 feet
Draft : 5.7 feet
Engine : 2 x 80 HP
Top Speed : 12 knots under sail
Price : $1.7 million – $2.5 million (new)
Features : Sunreef catamarans are synonymous with luxury. The Sunreef 50 is a perfect example, featuring expansive living quarters, a luxurious master suite, and customizable layouts. It’s ideal for those looking to cruise in style.

Driving and docking a catamaran is an exciting and rewarding experience, but it comes with unique challenges. Whether you’re handling a sailing catamaran or a power catamaran, understanding how to control the vessel’s dual engines, accounting for wind, and mastering differential thrust are key to a smooth ride and docking. With time and practice, you’ll find that catamarans offer unparalleled comfort, performance, and stability on the water.

If you’re considering purchasing a catamaran, it’s essential to consider your boating style, desired features, and budget. From the agile Lagoon 42 to the luxurious Sunreef 50, there’s a wide range of catamarans available, each designed to provide a unique experience on the water.

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or new to boating, mastering the art of driving and docking a catamaran will open up a world of adventure on the open sea. Happy sailing!

Happy Boating!

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Read How to Choose a Life Raft for Your Boat: The Complete Guide until we meet in the next article.

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Best way to single hand dock to starboard with wind blowing you off:

Thread starter Ted10028
Start date Apr 7, 2024
Forums for All Owners
Ask All Sailors

Had a minor disaster the other day; now thinking this is best approach. Please let me know what you think. Thanks 1) Touch the starboard dock midway with the bow 2) turn wheel full counter clock wise to port 3) engine forward at 1000 rpm's 4) jump off bow (perhaps with boat hook) to secure bow spring line 5) secure bow or stern line depending on which is off dock farther 6) if stern is too far off dock jump back up from boat at bow to increase rpm"s

kappykaplan

You should never jump off the boat to attach dock lines. I have two spring lines that are ALWAYS the first two dock lines I pick up in my slip. Doesn't matter if I have a cross wind or the wind is parallel to the slip. Once those are made up, I can shut down the engine and grab the other four dock lines in slow time. BoatUS did an article on spring lines almost 10 years ago, but I can't find the link.

Davidasailor26

Is this a dock you usually stay at? If so leave the lines on the dock, and grab them with a boat hook. That’ll be much safer and more repeatable than jumping off. I would not leave the boat alone and in gear. Too many bad things can happen with that. If the dock is not yours and there is a midship cleat available I’d try to snag that with the spring line while standing on the boat. Once the spring is made you can casually walk back to the helm and put the engine in gear to hold the boat on the dock. If you miss the cleat and start to drift away just do a missed approach and try again. No drama and no jumping off an unmanned boat.

When you are turning in the same direction that the wind is pushing your bow, you will be making much smaller radius circle. I would come in to the slip at about 45 degrees and go forward as far as you can then slow down and let the wind straighten the boat and continue into the slip. Then reverse the engine and stop the boat. The wind will hold the boat against the dock. You can then step down safely and tie the docklines.

kappykaplan said: You should never jump off the boat to attach dock lines. I have two spring lines that are ALWAYS the first two dock lines I pick up in my slip. Doesn't matter if I have a cross wind or the wind is parallel to the slip. Once those are made up, I can shut down the engine and grab the other four dock lines in slow time. BoatUS did an article on spring lines almost 10 years ago, but I can't find the link. Click to expand

Come into the dock from the down wind position so the bow is pointing at the dock and more or less up wind.
Turn the wheel hard to port and back down at the same time. The wind and the rudder will turn the bow left while the prop wash will turn the bow right. This lets you go forward in more or less a straight line.
Shift into neutral with the wheel still hard over.
If done correctly the boat should slide up along the dock at which point a spring line from the aft end of the dock to the midship cleat is connected
Once the line is connected, keep the wheel hard to port and boat in idle forward.
Tie off the bow and stern lines.

Davidasailor26 said: Is this a dock you usually stay at? If so leave the lines on the dock, and grab them with a boat hook. That’ll be much safer and more repeatable than jumping off. I would not leave the boat alone and in gear. Too many bad things can happen with that. If the dock is not yours and there is a midship cleat available I’d try to snag that with the spring line while standing on the boat. Once the spring is made you can casually walk back to the helm and put the engine in gear to hold the boat on the dock. If you miss the cleat and start to drift away just do a missed approach and try again. No drama and no jumping off an unmanned boat. Click to expand

Ted10028 said: how to you secure lines without jumping off boat to dock? Click to expand

dlochner said: The key to all good docking is a midship aft spring line. See the video below. The goal is to stop the boat more or less parallel to the dock. Come into the dock from the down wind position so the bow is pointing at the dock and more or less up wind. Turn the wheel hard to port and back down at the same time. The wind and the rudder will turn the bow left while the prop wash will turn the bow right. This lets you go forward in more or less a straight line. Shift into neutral with the wheel still hard over. If done correctly the boat should slide up along the dock at which point a spring line from the aft end of the dock to the midship cleat is connected Once the line is connected, keep the wheel hard to port and boat in idle forward. Tie off the bow and stern lines. If the video deviates from my instructions, follow John's advice, he is a much better sailor than I am. Click to expand

kappykaplan said: My forward spring is on a hook on the outer piling - easy to grab with a boat hook. The after spring is left lying on the short finger pier - I can usually grab it by hand from the boat. The bow lines are also on hooks. I do have to leave the boat to grab the stern lines, but the boat is stationary by that point and held fast by two springs and the bow lines. As I said, the spring lines are always the first lines I attach on returning to the slip. Click to expand

JoeWhite said: When you are turning in the same direction that the wind is pushing your bow, you will be making much smaller radius circle. I would come in to the slip at about 45 degrees and go forward as far as you can then slow down and let the wind straighten the boat and continue into the slip. Then reverse the engine and stop the boat. The wind will hold the boat against the dock. You can then step down safely and tie the docklines. Click to expand

Ted10028 said: question has nothing to do with which lines to attach first but rather how you attach lines in high winds. I never see anybody docking like you describe but it seems like a very good non-tradition idea Click to expand

Ted10028 said: I am talking about when the wind is blowing you off the dock. Click to expand

Ted10028 said: Seems almost like cheating. Click to expand

My dock is to starboard and I have fenders on my starboard bow. I first attach my starboard stern line that is the right length to limit forward progress and then pin the bow against the dock with the engine in gear, steering full starboard. The stern line and dock keep the boat still and stable so I can do the other lines at a slower pace before going to neutral and shutting down.

I'm not sure how anyone can have meaningful suggestions without some more information about the configuration of the dock. Maybe it's assumed that the dock is a slip with floating docks. But we don't really know that. How is it different if there are fixed piers and tidal changes? Is there a neighboring boat in the dock space? An expensive boat? Is current an issue? It has almost* always worked to have a line to the most outward part of the dock, a pole or cleat, to put on a mid-ship cleat as you are coming in, to stop the boat and draw it to the dock. Maybe a bit of engine to hold it while a second line can be secured. The second line doesn't have to be anything fancy or permanent. It helps if the line is already on the dock and in some configuration that makes it easy to grab with a boat pole. * In war plans are good until the first shot is fired. It's good to remember that with most sailboats it is the bow that is blown down by wind way more than the stern. If necessary backing into a slip is not shameful - sometimes it's just the best way.

kappykaplan said: I have docked my boat in a 15+ kt crosswind more than once using the spring lines first. If the wind is blowing me out of the slip (directly or a crosswind), I go for the aft spring first. With that line attached, the bow will swing to port (both springs are on my port side) and I can easily pick up the forward spring. If the wind is in the opposite direction (relatively speaking), I go for the forward spring first. If the wind carries me off the finger pier, I can push off the piling on the opposite side or even take a spare dock line and create a temporary waist line to get the stern over to port so I can pick up the aft spring. The trick is to learn how your boat behaves in a variety of conditions and adjust your docking plans accordingly. It's a whole different ballgame if I'm not returning to my home slip, but in that case, there are usually other folks on the dock to assist. Click to expand

arf145 said: My dock is to starboard and I have fenders on my starboard bow. I first attach my starboard stern line that is the right length to limit forward progress and then pin the bow against the dock with the engine in gear, steering full starboard. The stern line and dock keep the boat still and stable so I can do the other lines at a slower pace before going to neutral and shutting down. Click to expand

shemandr said: I'm not sure how anyone can have meaningful suggestions without some more information about the configuration of the dock. Maybe it's assumed that the dock is a slip with floating docks. But we don't really know that. How is it different if there are fixed piers and tidal changes? Is there a neighboring boat in the dock space? An expensive boat? Is current an issue? It has almost* always worked to have a line to the most outward part of the dock, a pole or cleat, to put on a mid-ship cleat as you are coming in, to stop the boat and draw it to the dock. Maybe a bit of engine to hold it while a second line can be secured. The second line doesn't have to be anything fancy or permanent. It helps if the line is already on the dock and in some configuration that makes it easy to grab with a boat pole. * In war plans are good until the first shot is fired. It's good to remember that with most sailboats it is the bow that is blown down by wind way more than the stern. If necessary backing into a slip is not shameful - sometimes it's just the best way. Click to expand

Have you seen the stern bridle technique? It worked for me once or twice. Stern bridle (link is to Vimeo.com)

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Every Single-Handed Sailing Technique the Pros Use

From mastering the art of self-reliance to honing your navigation and sailing skills, the pros have a wealth of knowledge to share. In this article, you'll discover the essential techniques employed by seasoned single-handed sailors and learn how to apply them in various situations you may encounter while exploring the world by sea.

Solo sailing techniques the pros use include tacking and jibing, reefing, using autopilot, trimming your sails, anchoring your boat, mooring, navigating, man overboard recovery, dealing with capsizing, inspecting your boat, performing repairs, using safety equipment, and knowing how to handle emergencies.

Always be prepared to adapt to unexpected challenges that may arise with sailing solo. If you study and practice these proven techniques, you'll be better equipped to tackle any situation and revel in the unparalleled joy of conquering the open ocean on your own terms.

Practice your sailing skills before setting off solo. Begin by sailing short distances close to shore, and gradually build up to longer trips and more challenging conditions.
Make sure your boat is set up for single-handed sailing with self-tailing winches, a self-tacking jib, and an autopilot if possible.
Plan your route ahead carefully. Choose a route that is familiar and easy to navigate, and be prepared for changing conditions.
The key to handling emergencies when single-handed sailing is preparedness, focus, and maintaining a calm and friendly mindset.

First and foremost, you need to be confident in your sailing skills, have a solid understanding of your boat's handling characteristics, and make sure it is set up properly for single-handed sailing. Since you'll be managing the boat alone, practicing essential maneuvers like tacking, jibing, reefing, and anchoring until they become second nature is crucial. This will help you stay in control of the boat even in challenging conditions.

Safety should always be a top priority when single-handed sailing. Before setting sail, ensure that your boat is well-maintained and properly equipped with essential safety gear such as life jackets, flares, and a well-stocked first aid kit. Additionally, it's important to have a reliable communication device on board since you'll be on your own in case of an emergency.

Weather forecasting is another key aspect of single-handed sailing. By keeping a close eye on changing weather conditions, you can plan your route and make adjustments as needed to avoid potentially dangerous situations. Make sure to have access to up-to-date weather information, either through onboard electronics or a reliable weather app on your smartphone.

Finally, proper planning and organization are essential for a successful single-handed sailing trip. This includes creating a realistic itinerary, accounting for the time it will take to complete each leg of your journey, and ensuring that you have enough provisions on board. Additionally, establishing a regular routine while onboard can help you stay on top of boat maintenance and manage your energy levels effectively.

Tacking and jibing

While tacking, it's crucial to maintain a steady course and allow the boat to turn naturally while adjusting the sails. Try using a cross-sheeting technique to maintain better control over your sails. For jibing, always ensure you have enough space to execute the maneuver safely and try to keep the process smooth.

Tacking and jibing are maneuvers used to change the direction of the boat. When sailing solo, it's important to plan ahead and make sure the boat is set up properly for the maneuver. You may need to use a self-tacking jib or a boom brake to make the maneuver easier and safer.

There are mixed opinions about self-tacking jibs. Some sailors recommend them as a useful tool for solo sailing, as they allow the sailor to focus on other tasks during tacking maneuvers. Others feel that self-tacking jibs are not as efficient as traditional jibs and may not perform as well in certain conditions.

Some sailors also recommend using a self-tacking jib in combination with a boom brake, as this can help to maintain control of the boat during maneuvers and changing conditions.

Overall, the recommendations regarding self-tacking jibs are to consider the specific needs of your boat and sailing style, and to test out different options before making a decision.

Reefing becomes an essential skill, particularly in strong winds. Familiarize yourself with your boat's specific reefing system , whether it's single-line jiffy reefing or slab reefing. Before setting out, practice lowering the mainsail to various reef points. This enables you to be prepared for sudden changes in wind speed, ensuring a safer solo sailing experience.

Reefing is the process of reducing the amount of sail area exposed to the wind. When sailing solo, it's important to reef early and often to maintain control of the boat in changing conditions.

Use autopilot

Autopilot can be a valuable tool for solo sailors, allowing you to maintain course and speed while you attend to other tasks. However, it's important to keep a close eye on the autopilot and be prepared to take over if necessary.

An autopilot system can be your best friend while single-handed sailing. It allows you to maintain a steady course while carrying out other tasks, like trimming sails or preparing food. Familiarize yourself with your boat's autopilot system and understand its limitations, such as in heavy seas or strong winds. When relying on autopilot, always remember to keep a lookout for potential hazards and maintain situational awareness.

Use sail trim to your advantage

Proper sail trim is essential for efficient sailing and can help you maintain control of the boat in changing conditions. When sailing solo, it's important to make small adjustments frequently to keep the boat balanced.

Trimming your sails single-handedly requires a bit more effort and attention than when sailing with a crew. You'll need to manage your time efficiently and use appropriate sail management systems like lazyjacks, Dutchman, or stack packs to keep the sails under control. Develop a routine for adjusting your sails , and always ensure you keep an eye on the wind shifts and boat performance to maximize efficiency and safety.

In this section, we will cover three additional techniques: anchoring alone, mooring with ease, and navigation skills.

Anchoring alone

Anchoring is an essential skill for any sailor, but it can be particularly challenging when sailing solo. You'll need to choose the right anchor and scope, and be prepared to adjust your position as the wind and current change.

Anchoring your boat on your own can be challenging, but with practice, it becomes straightforward. Follow these steps for safe and successful anchoring:

Choose a suitable spot : Find an area with good holding ground, protection from wind and waves, and enough space from other boats.
Prepare your anchor and rode : Ensure you have the right anchor for your boat and the seabed conditions. Attach the rode to the anchor and ensure it's untangled.
Approach slowly : Approach your chosen spot at a slow speed, taking note of the wind and current conditions.
Drop the anchor : As you reach your anchoring spot, slowly lower the anchor to the seabed.
Reverse and set : Slowly reverse your boat, allowing the anchor to dig into the seabed. Maintain tension on the rode to ensure secure holding.
Monitor and adjust : Regularly check your boat's position to ensure the anchor is holding well. Adjust if necessary.

Mooring with ease

Mooring a boat single-handed can be challenging, but with the right preparation and techniques, it can be done safely. You may need to use a spring line or a boat hook to help position the boat in the right spot.

Mooring can be just as demanding when you're single-handing, but these tips will help simplify the process:

Plan your approach by considering factors such as wind direction, current, and other boats nearby.
Have your docking lines and fenders ready before approaching the mooring area.
Approach slowly to maintain better control of your boat and reduce the risk of collisions.
Use a boat hook to help you reach the mooring lines or buoy.
Secure your boat by attaching the bow line first, followed by the stern and spring lines.

Navigation skills

Solid navigation skills are crucial when sailing alone. Here are some essential tips for honing your skills:

Study charts to familiarize yourself with sailing routes, hazards, and navigational aids.
Use electronics , such as GPS devices, to provide accurate location and tracking information.
Understand navigational aids , like buoys and beacons, to guide you safely through the waters.
Develop good weather sense to anticipate changes in conditions and adjust your plans accordingly.

Practice man overboard recovery

You'll need to practice different recovery techniques and make sure you have the necessary equipment on board.

When sailing single-handed, it's crucial to be prepared for a man overboard situation . If you find yourself overboard, you'll have to act quickly and efficiently to ensure your safety. Start by getting your lifejacket on and establishing a connection between yourself and the boat using a lifeline.

Next, maneuver the boat toward you. Be cautious of your proximity to the boat's hull and lines. When close enough, use a boat hook or other reaching device to grab hold of a suitable part of the boat. It's helpful to have a ladder, rope, or other devices to assist in getting back on board.

Stay calm and focused throughout the process. Make sure to keep an eye on wind, current, and wave conditions to help adjust your recovery strategy accordingly.

Dealing with capsizing

Start by establishing a plan for dealing with capsizing before you even leave the dock. Know the whereabouts of your safety gear, such as personal flotation devices and signal equipment.

If your boat capsizes, your first priority is ensuring you safely exit the boat. Keep your head above water and avoid getting tangled in ropes or other equipment. If possible, try to stay near the boat to maximize your chances of being spotted by rescuers.

To increase your chances of recovery, it's essential to have a deep understanding of weather patterns and forecasts. Monitor weather conditions continuously and be prepared to make adjustments to your sailing plans.

In some cases, you might be able to right the boat yourself, especially if you're sailing a smaller vessel. Practice this maneuver in controlled conditions before attempting it in a real capsize situation. Be prepared to act swiftly and decisively in these circumstances.

Here are some essential maintenance tips to help you tackle any challenges that come your way.

Inspect your boat

Regularly inspect your boat and equipment for signs of wear and tear, and carry spare parts and tools on board to make repairs as needed. You'll need to check your rigging, sails, and other equipment regularly to ensure everything is in good working order.

Regularly inspecting your boat is vital to catching any issues before they become significant problems. Make it a habit to:

Check your rigging for signs of wear, corrosion, or damage.
Examine your sails for any tears, loose stitching, or broken hardware.
Look over your hull for cracks or signs of water intrusion.
Keep an eye on your electronics and wiring, ensuring all connections are secure and free of corrosion.
Inspect your engine, checking for any leaks, worn belts, or clogged filters.

Essential repair skills

As a solo sailor, you'll need to be prepared for any situation that may arise, and being able to perform essential repairs is critical. Equip yourself with the following skills:

Sail repair : Familiarize yourself with basic stitching techniques and patching sails. Carry a sail repair kit on board for emergency use.
Rigging repair : Know how to replace a broken shackle or re-tension a loose shroud. Keep spare rigging parts and a set of tools handy.
Hull repair : Learn how to patch small cracks or holes in your hull with epoxy and fiberglass cloth. Carry an emergency hull repair kit on your boat.
Electrical repair : Be comfortable troubleshooting and repairing simple electrical issues, such as blown fuses or faulty connections. Keep essential electrical repair tools and spare parts on board.
Engine repair : Understand the basics of your engine and how to diagnose common issues like fuel or cooling problems. Keep an engine repair manual on hand, as well as a well-stocked toolkit.

Proper use of safety equipment

Always wear a life jacket and ensure it fits snugly and comfortably. Attach a safety harness connecting you to the boat, especially when moving around the deck in rough weather or at night. Make sure your boat is equipped with essential safety gear, such as flares, a VHF radio, and a personal locator beacon.

Become familiar with the operation and maintenance of the safety equipment on board, and conduct regular checks to ensure everything is in good working condition.

Use lights and signals. Make sure your boat is properly equipped with navigation lights and that they are visible from all angles. Use sound signals as necessary to indicate your intentions.

Use technology such as radar, AIS, and other technology to enhance your situational awareness and help you avoid collisions.

Emergency procedures

Knowing how to handle emergencies is vital for every sailor, especially when you're single-handed. Develop a set of emergency procedures for various situations and practice them regularly. Some examples include:

Man overboard (MOB) : Familiarize yourself with MOB recovery methods and have a throwable floatation device or a rescue sling on hand.
Fire : Keep fire extinguishers accessible and in good condition. Know how to use them and regularly check their expiration dates. Be ready to cut off fuel or electrical power in case of a fire.
Dismasting : Have a plan to clear the deck of debris and reestablish control of the boat should your mast break.
Medical emergencies : Keep a well-stocked medical kit on board and learn basic first aid, including how to treat cuts, burns, and seasickness.

Additional tips and advice for sailing solo

Use a checklist : Create a pre-sail checklist to make sure you have everything you need on board, and to ensure that your boat is properly prepared for the trip.

Stay alert : Keep a close eye on the weather, other boats, and your own fatigue levels, and be prepared to adjust your plans as needed. Maintain a constant lookout for other boats, and be prepared to take evasive action if necessary.

Take breaks : Schedule regular breaks to rest and recharge, and to check your boat and equipment for signs of wear and tear.

Minimize distractions : Minimize distractions on board and stay focused on the task of sailing safely.

Stay organized : Keep your boat and equipment organized, and have a system in place for keeping track of everything on board.

You may also like, how to trim sails: the ultimate guide (with cheat sheet).

Experienced sailors pull and ease lines, move blocks, and tighten or loosen various controls as the boat turns and the wind shifts. They're constantly fiddling with …

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DOCKING UNDER POWER

In this sailboat docking video, Offshore Sailing School Founder, Steve Colgate, shows you the best way to dock under power. This simple system gives you excellent control whether you are sailing with others or single-handed. Here are some helpful hints on how to dock a sailboat:

Set up your aft amidships spring line first
Power into the dock very slowly
Drop the spring line over a piling or cleat
Power against the spring line to stay tight to the dock while you put all the other lines ashore

HOW TO SPRING OFF OF A DOCK

In this video, you learn how to use spring lines on a sailboat to get out of a tight spot when the wind is pushing your boat onto the dock. Here are some helpful hints:

Double up on the bow line and double back on the forward spring line by running each of these lines from a bow cleat and stern cleat, around a piling on the dock, and back to the cleat again
Put the engine in reverse and bow will pivot out
Make sure you have someone with a roving fender at the stern to protect against hitting the dock
As you drive forward, clear the aft-leading spring line, then the stern line, and next the bow line by releasing the top part of the line on the cleats as you drive straight forward
Be prepared to release both ends, in case one end gets caught on the dock

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Learn how to dock a sailboat under sail, or under power, in a variety of different scenarios. Sailing legend Peter Isler walks us through the process using animations, illustrations and live action footage. Understand the techniques and skills required by both skipper and crew in order to make your docking experiences safe and easy. The videos are based on the learning material featured in the ASA textbooks Sailing Made Easy and Basic Cruising Made Easy .

This Series Features the Following Lessons:

Docking Under Power

Cruising Catamarans

It's time to apply the skills we learned in the docking drills video to returning your boat safely to the dock. As we've learned every boat and every docking situation is different so let's keep things simple for our lesson on bringing the boat back into the dock. To solidify your fundamentals practice on a day where there is a light wind that's aligned parallel to the dock. We will make an upwind approach - that is always preferred - and the dock will be on our port side.

Open Water Drills

Docking a larger sailboat under power can be challenging. This episode features great open water drills to reveal characteristics of your boat that will help you learn to maneuver in tight quarters with control and confidence. Understand how a sailboat behaves at slow speed and in addition to the rudder learn about other turning forces - such as the wind, prop walk, and prop wash.

Returning to the Dock

Departing from the Dock

It's time to apply the skills we learned in the docking drills video to getting your boat out of a slip safely. Bear in mind every boat and every docking situation is different. But if we keep things simple, success is a sure thing! For your first attempts, find a slip that is aligned bow to the wind. Learn how to configure your docklines for a simply departure, make sure your crew is safely aboard, and use your engine to control your speed in order to make a smooth and safe departure.

Docking Under Sail

An ideal approach.

What is the the ideal approach for docking a sailboat under sail? In a perfect world the wind will be blowing parallel to the dock so you can approach on a close reach and tie up pointing into the wind. Learn how to prepare your crew for docking, how to safely control your speed on your approach to the dock, how to safely step off the boat onto the dock, and finally how to secure your boat once you have docked.

The Downwind Approach

A good sailor must know how to dock their boat in all types of conditions. Although docking under sail in a downwind scenario isn’t desirable and should be avoided, there are situations that mandate such a skill. Learn the correct steps and methods to adhere to as you steer the boat into a downwind slip.

BONUS: How to Hang Your Fenders

Tying off fenders is something we have to do all the time so how should they be hung and how should you tie them? Different situations call for different applications, but generally speaking the best thing to do is hang the fenders from amidships from the lifelines just kissing the water.

The “Docking Made Easy” videos are presented by Cruising World in association with Beneteau America.

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Can You Sail a Catamaran By Yourself?

Catamarans are known for their stability and comfort, but are they too complex to sail single handed?

You can sail most small and medium-sized cruising catamarans by yourself. Thanks to technological advances such as electric winches and powered sail control, it's easier than ever to sail a catamaran single handed.

In this article, we'll go over the nuances of sailing a catamaran by yourself. We'll cover the different sizes of catamarans and which are best to sail solo. We'll also go over a few tips for successfully piloting a catamaran without a crew.

We sourced the information in this article from the online sailing community and sailors who have single handed a catamaran.

Table of contents

‍ Are Catamarans Easy to Sail?

Catamarans are not necessarily easier to sail on their own, but they do have some characteristics that make them safer and more pleasant. Catamarans have an enormous amount of inherent stability.

They divide the force of the wind between two equally sized hulls, which almost entirely eliminates heeling and the dangers associated with it.

Catamarans are also much faster than equivalently-sized monohulls. This is because they don't suffer from hull speed limitations, which are caused by interfering bow and stern waves on monohull sailboats.

This is actually detrimental for singlehanded sailing, as additional speed reduces the time you have to react to danger.

The primary benefit of additional stability is reduced risk of falling overboard or getting injured during tight maneuvers. Additionally, catamarans are extremely difficult to capsize, which increases the amount of time you have to react to a sudden gust or changing sea conditions.

As you can see, single-handing a catamaran is really more of a mixed bag than a cut-and-dry alternative. There are benefits and drawbacks, though it is possible to sail a catamaran by yourself (provided you have the necessary experience to handle a different kind of boat).

What Size Catamaran is Best for Singlehanded Sailing?

Catamarans come in lots of different sizes, though they're not as varied as monohulls. There are two primary types of catamarans: open catamarans and cruising catamarans.

Open catamarans are small and useless for long-distance travel. These boats are primarily for recreation and racing, and they have a limited market. Almost all open catamarans are designed for singlehanded sailing, though some of them can accommodate a crew of two or more people.

Cruising catamarans are completely different beasts. These vessels start at around 30 to 35 feet long and top out around 50 feet.

Anything longer than 60 feet is likely a superyacht, and only a handful of these types of catamarans exist. No catamaran in the superyacht category can be sailed single handed without the help of complex electromechanical and automated systems.

The ideal size for a cruising catamaran is around 35 feet to 45 feet if you intend to sail it yourself. These sizes are manageable due to the limited force required to manipulate halyards and reef the sail.

Also, visibility on a smaller cruising catamaran is usually adequate to maneuver without additional spotters. These vessels make it easier to get to the sail and winches in a short time, as you don't have to run 20 feet between the cockpit and the mast.

Electronic and Mechanical Controls

Some of the larger and more luxurious catamarans come equipped with advanced automatic controls. These systems allow you to raise, lower, and reef the sail from the cockpit, theoretically enabling a single person to perform these tasks while continuing to steer.

Automated winches are increasingly common on larger catamarans, as they reduce the energy required to do relatively simple tasks and allow the crew to focus on navigation.

These systems have proven to be quite reliable even in the harshest conditions, though they should never be trusted completely in place of a competent crew. As a result, the maximum size of catamaran that can be safely singlehanded is still limited.

That's said, having these systems certainly makes it a lot easier and safer to sail a catamaran alone. Smaller catamarans are also being equipped with automatic controls, and autopilot has been available for quite some time.

Do People Buy Catamarans for Singlehanded Sailing?

Generally speaking, people don't purchase catamarans solely for the purpose of singlehanded sailing. Catamarans are more popular for families and groups, as they have more comfortable accommodations in their large double hulls. This is why you don't happen to see catamarans manned by a single person.

Smaller specialty catamarans have been produced for ages. These vessels were often crewed by a single person, but they were made specifically for breaking a record for extreme exploration. Catamarans like these live in record books but aren't manufactured or sold to the wider public.

Challenges of Sailing a Catamaran By Yourself

Catamaran sailing poses a number of challenges, particularly when it comes to the shape of the boat. Catamarans have an extremely wide stance, which makes them difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. Some catamarans have thrusters that can somewhat alleviate these issues.

Additionally, catamarans are more difficult to get around than monohulls. Tending to the boom isn't as simple as reaching overhead in many cases, especially with closed-cockpit models.

But overall, catamarans have a lot more benefits than drawbacks. Singlehanded sailing can be challenging, as you can't dive into the cockpit from the deck like you can on a monohull in the event that you need to rapidly steer the boat.

Additionally, catamarans have a lot of interior space. While this isn't necessarily a problem, it begs the question—what's the point of having such a big and expensive boat if 90% of the interior space goes unused?

Single Handed Catamaran Sailing Tips

Sailing a catamaran single handed is completely possible, although it does require a different set of skills than sailing a monohull. Here are a few tips to help make single handed catamaran sailing safer and easier.

1. Sleep in the Pilothouse

Most cruising catamarans have a spacious covered cockpit, also known as the pilot House. The pilothouse usually contains the galley and a large sitting area for eating or plotting charts.

In the vast majority of cases, the sitting area in the pilothouse can be easily converted into a large bed. It is much safer to sleep in the pilothouse than in the lower hulls while singlehanded sailing.

This is because, when you're sleeping, nobody else will be on watch. If a situation arises and you need to take control of the boat, you have a much better chance of getting to the helm in time if you're sleeping in the cockpit.

2. Install Warning Radar

This goes for all single handed sailors. Installing a warning radar system can make your journey significantly safer. These systems alert you to the presence of nearby ships, such as cargo ships, and give you identifying information such as vessel size and speed.

Marine radar systems can alert you with an audio alarm if you pass within a certain distance of another vessel. This can be useful if you intend to communicate with the vessel, and it can also wake you up if you need to take control of the boat.

Remember, commercial traffic and warships always have the right of way. This is because the stopping distance and turning radius of a large ship are measured in miles, not feet, and you can maneuver much quicker than they can. Again, they will not get out of your way—and radar can tell you when you need to move.

3. Install Automatic Winches

Automatic winches can make singlehanded sailing an absolute breeze. These electric devices allow you to control lines and sheets from the cockpit, and you never have to go out on deck except to raise and lower the sail. Some automatic systems can even reef the sails.

Additionally, automatic winches can save energy, as you don't have to exhaust yourself reeling in and taking out the line. Automatic winches are particularly useful when tacking, as the headsail can be adjusted to either side without going up on deck.

Advanced automatic controls can be linked to your autopilot system. The system can steer instead of your boat and use the weather data from instruments to adjust the sails for maximum speed and efficiency.

4. Buy a Smaller Catamaran

Smaller boats are usually easier to handle—it's a simple fact about sailing. If you plan on single-handing a catamaran, why purchase a 50-footer when a 40-footer would be more than adequate?

There's a point where the seaworthiness tends to flatten out, and a 40 to 45-foot catamaran can handle just about any reasonable sailing conditions without much trouble. You'll save money on slip and lock transit fees, and it'll be easier for you to manage by yourself. Plus, there's still plenty of room for guests to come aboard.

Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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How to Dock and Swing a Catamaran

By Tony Bessinger
Updated: July 19, 2013

If you’re considering purchasing or chartering a catamaran, fret not about maneuvering. While a lack of keel(s), high freeboard, and the vessel’s light weight might seem daunting, the dual engines and twin-propeller configuration are powerful tools, even when space gets tight and wind and current present extra challenges. With judicious use of the throttles and a crew well trained in handling spring lines and fenders, maneuvering a cat in close quarters can be easy and efficient.

For beginners, the first trick is learning to forget the wheel and leave the rudders in a neutral position, at least initially. There’ll come a time when the rudders will be helpful, but save that until you’ve gathered enough experience. Because a cat’s twin propellers are so far apart, it’s simply not all that necessary to use the rudders; in fact, for skippers learning to drive cats, rudders may introduce an unnecessary dynamic.

The main principle one must grasp is that a cat can pivot, without moving forward or aft, in its own length. By advancing one throttle and reversing the other in equal measure, a cat will simply rotate on its centerline axis. When you apply greater and lesser power to the respective throttles, you will pivot from the side to which you’ve applied less power. For example, to pivot to port, use slightly less reverse power to your port engine, and slightly more forward power to your starboard engine. To pivot to starboard, do the opposite. Also, a cat can be operated at very slow speeds because you don’t need to create a flow over the rudders in order to turn. When it comes to cats, “Slow is pro.”

Remember that it’s usually best to reverse into a slip rather than come in bow first. This keeps the skipper nearer to the action and provides the opportunity, if things start going sideways, to simply power forward out of trouble.

Start slowly. Have an experienced cat driver take you off the dock for your first few departures, then pick a wide-open area in which to practice basic maneuvering. Use mooring balls (they’re softer than pilings or navigational marks) as aiming points, and start practicing. Learn to back onto the mooring, come alongside it, and pick it up; soon you’ll see how easy it is to accomplish these basic tasks. The more you practice, the higher your confidence level will soar. Once you’ve got the basics down, start performing those same exercises in wind and current to see how windage and sideslip affect your particular boat.

Next, try some basic docking maneuvers, starting with coming alongside or departing from a fuel dock. You’ll discover how a properly placed spring line and fenders, combined with careful use of the throttles, can bring you neatly alongside, even on a crowded dock. Now practice backing into a slip. While most cat drivers prefer, and some narrow dock spaces demand, that cats occupy the “face dock” at the end of a pier, there will be many marinas that have enough room to allow your beamy vessel to fit neatly into a slip.

Once these skills are mastered, try picking up a mooring and dropping the anchor. These maneuvers depend more on the crew than the driver. That’s because mooring and anchoring can be different on cats; the crew doesn’t stand at a pulpit but perches on a crossbeam, and from there may have to reach a long way for a mooring ball or deal with an anchor that’s mounted well aft of the bow. Here are some additional cat-handling tips for specific situations.

Docking Ins and Outs Let’s say you’re approaching a dock to come portside to. Your first line ashore will be a spring that leads forward from your port quarter. Once you’re near the dock, put the port engine in slow reverse and the starboard engine in forward with slightly more throttle applied. This will place the boat close to the dock, and once the spring line is secured and tightened, it will hold you close and steady (with your engines still turning slightly) and allow you then to secure the bow and stern lines and the aft-leading spring lines.

Leaving a dock, use the same principles; apply them perhaps a little more aggressively if boats are parked forward and aft. Tied starboard to, first, place a fender or fenders as far aft on the starboard hull as possible. As the dock lines are cast off, apply more power in reverse to the port engine and less in forward on the starboard engine. This pivots the bows out; once they’re both well clear of the boat ahead, simply transition the port throttle into forward and drive away.

Backing into a Slip As I said, I’m firmly convinced that backing a cat (or any other vessel, for that matter) into a slip is preferable to bringing it in bow first. On most cats, the steering station is centered or slightly aft, which translates into better visibility to the sides and behind you. It’s important to know how close your sterns are to the dock. It also gives you much better maneuverability and options when bailing out from a maneuver gone wrong: Instead of wrangling with which way to turn when making your escape—when reversing, many sailors have to think a little harder about which throttle to use to turn in the proper direction—you simply drive straight ahead, then decide which way to spin the boat.

In tight quarters, you can approach the slip in forward, then do a K-turn to position the sterns so they’re aiming at the slip with the cat parallel to the docks on either side. Apply reverse thrust on both engines to pull straight back. If necessary, you can apply forward throttle to either hull, as needed, to straighten the boat out as you’re entering the slip.

If there’s not a lot of space in the marina, you may want to enter the area already in reverse, then simply maneuver the sterns into the slip using the same principles described above.

Picking Up a Mooring Cats sit best on moorings when the boats are equipped with a bridle rigged between the bows, the apex of which should be equidistant between the hulls. When the cat approaches the mooring ball, your crew should stand by equipped with a long boathook and with the bridle ready. As with any boat, a slow approach from as far downwind of the mooring as possible is ideal. Have a signaling system in place so the crew can tell you the distance from the mooring and whether you need to steer to port or starboard to line it up properly. Hand signals are best, and everyone should be on the same page so there’s no confusion. Again, slow speed is optimum, and you should be ready to stop forward motion quickly.

As with any boathandling technique, practice makes perfect. You won’t always dock or moor in benign conditions; once you have the basics down, keep practicing in more wind and current so you’re always familiar with how your boat behaves. A comfortable skipper is a calm and assured one.

Tony Bessinger is an instructor at Confident Captain/Ocean Pros in Newport, Rhode Island, and has thousands of miles of catamaran sailing experience, including a stint as a skipper of a Gunboat 62, and a 4,600-nautical-mile delivery of a Leopard 46 from Florida to California. He also drives high-speed ferry cats in southern New England.

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First Singlehanded Docking and Undocking

Docking / August 30, 2021 by TJ / 1 Comment

On a calm day I did my first solo docking and undocking with S/V Counterpoint, my Bristol 45.5. I was only going as far as the pumpout dock and there were plenty of folks around who would have been willing to help with lines but conditions were great so I went for it.

These are all techniques I have practiced with crew aboard as well. This is just the first time I’ve done it solo.

As a liveaboard I definitely prefer docking bow in – stern in everyone walking down the dock can glance into my living space whenever they walk by.

My only critique of this is I went for the boat hook a touch too early; I should have gotten the boat slowed further first (or waited for the fenders to make contact – that may have stopped the boat).

I probably left the boat in idle reverse a touch too long: I built up too much speed and got the boat out of alignment with the slip a few moments before the bow was clear of the piling.

The green bungee is a 1/4 inch shock cord ( affiliate link ). I have tied it onto the dockline using either a clove hitch or a constrictor knot. The boat end is made off to a cleat using either those same knots or thoroughly wrapped onto a cleat.

It does help to make it onto a cleat on the opposite side of the boat so there is more snap when it takes in the line. The more tension the further from the water the dockline winds up but also the less likely there is to be slack in the line that can get snagged on departure.

I like to use a fully doubled back dockline whenever possible – that setup seems best to keep the lines slack free so they have no chance to snag on something.

I use the Docking Stick ( affiliate link ) to attach the loop of line to the boat hook. The loop in the line is made using a simple bowline.

From the loop that goes over the cleat I lead the line through a midship chock and through a midship cleat; after the turn at the cleat the line terminates at the primary winch.

On my boat I can drape the line outside the lifelines but inside the toe rail. That keeps it out of the water and I can leave myself plenty of slack to work with to get the line onto the cleat.

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September 1, 2021 at 8:23 am

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19-08-2019, 11:02
	2. A post is easier to reach than a pontoon cleat. 3. The midship cleat is the first to get on when handed. 4. It is easy to warp a yacht into position ( mine was 17 tons) Fenders out and lines from all four corners and midships run back to the rails by the . Set up outside the marina while you have sea room. into wind/tide, stop and loop midship line round post. Hop ashore and take bow and stern lines and warp her into position. If another yacht is on the windward side of the finger then come in at an angle to clear her stern - but this means more windage on her so less time to get a line on the pole. If you need a bit of extra pull against the then take half a rurn round a pontoon cleat and sweat the line in ie. pull sideways on the standing part while holding the fall fast.

19-08-2019, 19:52

Boat: S&S Defiance 30 ft.

is a 30 ft. S&S Defiance, Mikado II, in Western Port Marina, Hastings Victoria.

handed as easy as possible.

is that the and controls are at one end of the while action is often required at the other end.

surface.

on the end of the finger.

up to a block near the bow and back to the cockpit on the of the line stanchions and fenders with an eye in its end.

hook on a boat hook pole with a short line attached.

A, within boathook length of the pole F. Hook the ring and drop it over a cleat on the starboard quarter of the boat. Unhook the bow line B from the ring and attach it to the eye in the line G. You have not had to leave the cockpit. At this stage the stern is under control and the bow can also be controlled from the cockpit by line G. Back the boat in with everything coming to rest when the spring E takes up. If you are hard against the rotating fender you may need to adjust the boats normal fenders as you move in. Organise your permanent lines.

(30.9 KB, 72 views)

20-08-2019, 04:05
Boat: Farr 1020 10.2 m	behave slightly differently. But if I was in your position: in the cockpit. Enough free to handle easily. as the bitter end is attached? to the right, you and cockpit should be right beside the marina cleat at the right end. length back towards your desired position. to pivot boat anticlockwise. Never have to leave your seat! And because you are sheeting from your boat, is applicable in any similar situation, anywhere. Two lines attached, take your time to tidy up. Worth a try!

20-08-2019, 08:17
Boat: cal29	, get off on that with a bow and stern line in hand and walk the boat in. Temporarily secure the stern, go up and secure the bow, leaving enough length to go back to the stern and start walking it in.

20-08-2019, 09:12

Boat: Jeanneau Tonic 23

20-08-2019, 18:06
Boat: Bavaria Cruiser 37	? Come in stern first, secure stern line, then apply ahead thrust, the bow should pull to port, toward the dock, then you can leave the engine in ahead and jump off and secure the bow and springers. Conversely a stern line on the starboard stern cleat, should bring the bow out away from the dock in ahead, or the centre doing on the aft cleat and some astern. Cheers Richard

20-08-2019, 19:25
Boat: Hunter 33 "Cherubini" (1982)	the best.

27-08-2019, 00:20

Boat: Hunter 33 "Cherubini" (1982)

line that is attached to your cleat in the corner of the L. Create a small pole (or other pickup point) at the RH tip of the L for this line (bottom of drawing).

When you come in from the left, pickup this line, throw over your port winch, then stabilise the boat with and engine as usual. Winch or pull in this line to get the boat in position. Rest as you usually do.

27-08-2019, 05:23
	is doing generally in my marina (how to tell?)" If you are on the dock, including if you are secured alongside, chuck a bit of paper in the and observe how it moves. If you are afloat, as when approaching your slip, lie dead in the a length or two off. In this situation you are concerned not with current alone, but with the combined effect of wind AND current, so observe how your boat moves in relation to the slip when lying DIW. When you are satisfied that you understand what the combination of forces is doing to the TRACK of your boat OVER THE GROUND, go around and make your final approach in light of that knowledge. Always remember that HEADING and TRACK OTG are very, very rarely congruent. TP

08-12-2019, 11:02
	for thought. The method below is one Ive adopted in similar past situations. Ive faced similar dilemmas with my mooring. The main requirement for me when solo and in close proximity to any hard objects is my escape plan. Additionally, leaving the cockpit and controls until Im safely controlled alongside is not an option due to proximity of surrounding . Have a plan than can be repeated to infinity until successful without risk. A successful missed approach must always be a guaranteed option. Additional Preparation: - Midship spring with secured loop (bowline or similar). - (Same) Midship spring led aft to a winch - Port quarter & stern fender The figure attached suggests getting the boat settled stern-to wind, motoring gently astern. Get the boat aligned with the wind and directly downwind from a mid-pontoon cleat (your aiming point). If like my boat you suffer from chronic prop walk, build some momentum and then approach in neutral regulating momentum with FWD if necessary. 1) Approach the pontoon upwind astern at a controlled speed The angle doesnt necessarily matter. It can be directly astern (Med-mooring style). The idea is to get a midship spring attached at a the port stern quarter (for this example). If you dont like the look of it, forward and try again and again and again... Having your midship aft spring led to a winch will allow you to quickly adjust the slack as required once attached to the cleat. 2) Once your midship spring is secure ashore. Allow wind to blow your quarter off the pontoon slightly then forward against the spring regulating runner angle to manage bow angle to bring you alongside. Once alongside, keep motoring against midship spring, secure boat and make a plan to slowly manage lines to get your boat back to desired position. Lastly; if youre limited by room ahead, as you start to gently motor ahead, you can winch in the spring reducing its length to regulate your position alongside. Good luck with the practice. Id be interested to hear which technique works and you decide to adopt. Safe sailing.

08-12-2019, 11:42

paper in the water and observe how it moves.

If you are afloat, as when approaching your slip, lie dead in the water a length or two off. In this situation you are concerned not with current alone, but with the combined effect of wind AND current, so observe how your boat moves in relation to the slip when lying DIW. When you are satisfied that you understand what the combination of forces is doing to the TRACK of your boat OVER THE GROUND, go around and make your final approach in light of that knowledge. Always remember that HEADING and TRACK OTG are very, very rarely congruent.

TP

15-12-2019, 05:35

Boat: Hunter 33 "Cherubini" (1982)

So I tried the method described above by sailormed (was also suggested by someone I took a docking lesson from but it seemed hard back then). Had success 2 out of 2 times so far. As mentioned earlier there is actually a pole already there I can hang something from (not shown in my drawings) so I hung a line there and was able to grab it with a boat hook (note: I also park my dingy there (end of short pier), so I had to reach over that with hook).

First time I tried it the wind was pushing me off the dock (as usual) and I did actually have a bit of trouble getting the boat in close. After grabbing the line and driving forward while winching in, the boat came into the "L" but was still a bit far from the pier. Increasing revs and a bit of rudder did seem to make the boat start to come in more but it was slow, so I did some combination of throwing into reverse, pulling in more slack on the winch, going into forward, etc. So that got me in pretty close.

In stronger winds it may still be an issue to get the bow in close using this method.

Second time I tried this and wind was helping a bit (was either pushing me slightly in towards dock or slightly from behind). Boat came into the dock like a charm. So wind is definitely a factor here. I don't know what current is doing generally

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TMG Yachts Multihulls Power and Sail Australia

Living the dream single handed onboard 50ft Lagoon

Mark Rolle envisioned a life on the sea and when the opportunity presented itself he didn’t hold back.

After working hard for years Mark sold his business and decided that there was more to life than work. He always thought of owning a boat, he had always loved the ocean and when the opportunity presented itself he took it.

When looking for his dream vessel he really wanted it to be his mobile home, something he could live comfortably onboard. Being a practical person he was also looking for something he could comfortably manage single handed and also perform well, for him, Lagoon ticked all the boxes. He was originally looking for a 440 or 450 but he was impatient and there were none on the market at the time. After stepping aboard the Lagoon 500 he immediately made an offer. He spoke of his instant excitement when he first saw Three Little Birds and thinking, “ Wow, that’s a lot of boat” .

Since then he has been travelling the East Coast of Australia and the Pacific, only spending a handful of nights off the boat in the last 4 years. In April 2017 Mark and Three Little Birds were in a game of cat and mouse trying to outfox Cyclone Debbie. He was in Airlie Beach at what is now Coral Sea Marina when she hit and fortunately dodged a bullet with only minor superficial damage.

Mark spends a lot of his time in the Whitsundays, hosting International backpackers in return for cleaning and polishing of his Lagoon 500. However, a huge goal of his was to do some blue water cruising and so he took off with the 2019 Go East Rally to New Caledonia and Vanuatu which was a huge accomplishment and an opportunity to meet many amazing people.

This video will show why sailing your Lagoon to these destinations is so rewarding.

Prior to owning his Lagoon, Mark only had sailing experience from his childhood, sailing Manly Juniors. He knew only a little about tides, trade winds and currents. For much of his initial cruising he was constantly sailing against the weather, trade winds and struggled with light downwind conditions and booms swaying and banging. This resulted in more motoring than he preferred during such downwind conditions

It wasn’t until his trip back from the Pacific that he became determined to find a solution to his problems and get himself a single handled spinnaker set up. After a lot of research Mark rigged his Lagoon 500 to be able to single handed fly an off the shelf Rolly Tasker Asymmetric Spinnaker and says it has been great and was impressed by the price.

(Watch his video on the set up).

“Deploying it is easy, the sock slides straight up, in light winds this is really easy. I’ve led all the rigging back to the cockpit and I’ve put a trip line to release the tack quickly if de powering the sail instantly is required.

Pulling the sail down is not a problem, in the light winds it’s just a matter of pulling the sock straight down. In the heavier winds we’ve got the Tylasker fitting and we punch the tack off and it streams the sail away like a big flag taking all pressure off, then slide the sock down and pack it away.”

After travelling downwind with a NE 10-15kt breeze from the Gold Coast to Sydney in 49 hours and with an average speed of 8.2kts with just the Spinnaker, and a heap of extra sleep due to the new found silence, Mark is a strong advocate for the spinnaker and wants people to know how easy it is to use single or short-handed and to not be intimidated. After doing a Facebook pole of Lagoon owners he discovered that of those who have a spinnaker only about 30% use it regularly, mostly due to a lack of confidence, particularly deploying and retrieving. Although it is important to have the correct set up and security measures he wants everyone to know that this downwind sail has seriously changed his sailing experience for the better and after a bit of practise using it you develop a lot of confidence quickly.

Mark has also made a number of other improvements to his vessel since purchasing it second hand, including a set of folding propellers and new sails. His old sails were unable to perform well under 60 degrees to the apparent wind and now he is able to comfortably sit between 35-45 degrees and get close to 8kts boat speed in 15kt of apparent winds.

For now, Mark has no fixed sailing goals other than returning to Vanuatu and New Caledonia when borders open and is just drifting with the wind. He is currently in isolation in the Whitsundays due to being in a high risk category and was floating between Pancake Creek and Lady Musgrave the last few months waiting for restrictions to ease. Although he often has helpers on board from time to time he often spends long periods at sea by himself so things haven’t changed too much. He describes the Whitsundays at the moment as “like the 80s”, there are much less boats on the water and the radio has gone quiet. There is currently a lot more greenery and wildlife about. “It is the perfect way to isolate”.

His departing words were… “Enjoy life while you can because you just don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow.”

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39 Vital Tips, How To Sail a Catamaran!(For Beginners, The Fun and Safe Way!)

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In this article, I list many of the things that I have found significant about sailing a catamaran. The list is mainly aimed towards sailors transitioning from monohulls, but new sailors without prior experience will benefit from reading this before leaving harbor!

So what do you need to know before setting off in a Catamaran?

Catamarans Don’t Heel

Since catamarans have two hulls, the boat won’t heel over to its side while sailing; this means a ton of things! In part, it means that your ride will be faster, safer, more comfortable, etc.

Read this to understand the difference between monohulls (aka regular sailboats) and catamarans.

You will be faster on a Catamaran.

Since a catamaran has two hulls, it has less volume of the boat below the surface; this means less drag and higher speeds.

Want to know why cats are faster than other boats?

Maneuverability inside the Marina will be much more pleasant.

Although a catamaran will be more affected by winds due to its immense size, you can maneuver it as you would with a battle tank since it has two engines. That is doing a 360 turn without any movement forward or backward. This is an excellent way to enter and exit a marina.

Fuel costs will decrease.

Low drag means less energy needed to propel the boat; this is also true when running the engines. Compared to a monohull, the catamaran will draw less fuel.

Check out this article to understand why and how you can save fuel and instead spend your money on fun things!

If you get knocked over, you won’t get back up again (but at least you won’t sink!)

Catamarans have a terrible reputation for flipping over or capsizing as it is known to the people of the water. There is not much data to support that claim, and if you look at the available data, you would actually see that catamarans, in many ways, are safer than boats with only one hull.

Are catamarans safer than other sailboats?

Catamarans are wider and, therefore, safer.

Is it easier to push something to its side if it has a wide or a small base? Yepp exactly, the cat has a broad base and is, therefore, more stable (the short and easy explanation). There are numerous other factors to consider but a wider base means better stability!

Catamarans will get you the ladies(or men, or cats, or whatever)

There is nothing more accurate on this list than the fact that a catamaran will get you more company, of the sort you prefer, than a monohull. The sailing is smoother; the space is plentiful, it’s basically made for having friends hanging out on the trampolines.

Speaking of trampolines, some myths say that they are made to reduce water onboard and enhance safety, but everybody really knows it’s a place for beautiful times with great friends ;)!

What are trampolines you say?

Because of the shallow draft, you can go places where monohulls can’t

If you are going to the Bahamas (or any other place where the water isn’t very deep), and believe me, you definitely want, then a shallow draft is almost as good of a friend as a cold beer on a sunny day.

A shallow draft means that your boat won’t be sticking very deep into the water, which significantly enhances the number of places you can explore, and it also makes it possible to get very close to the beach.

Be prepared to spend your dollars.

“A boat is a hole in the water where you throw your money” is what a wise friend of mine once told me in a marina in the Miami River. Little did I know at the time how true that statement was to become.

And if you’re on a catamaran… you will have two engines, larger sails, more surface area, more everything, and more everything means that more things will break and more items will have to be paid for

BUT! it also means more fun!

Finding a place to lift your cat out of the water might be trickier than you thought.

Unless you are on a smaller cat, such as the Gemini Legacy 35, you won’t be able to fit in a standard slip, and getting hauled up out of the water might not be possible everywhere.

Be prepared to pay a little extra, and make sure you ask before you!

In contrary to many beliefs, cats can be sailed single-handed.

Another myth is that catamarans are harder to sail than their monohull counterpart; this is simply not true in a general sense. If the boat is set up for shorthanded sailing, it will most certainly be easier to sail than its heeling and leaning sister ship, the monohull.

If you are interested in the skills needed to handle a large cruising catamaran I think you should check out my recommended books here.

No more sailing close to the wind

Since a cat doesn’t have a colossal keel, it tends to move sideways when sailing close to the point of wind. This means more drag, less transfer of movement in the direction of travel, and a less comfortable trip.

Usually, a cat needs to sail more of the wind than a monohull,

Downwind is your new best friend.

But on the other hand, going downwind or running downwind is, together with humans, your dog and red wine, your new best friend. This is where the catamaran will show its true potential.

It’s fast, smooth, and can take you around the world!

Sailing around the world.

Unless you are setting a world record, you will probably take the westward route around the globe. Sailing west means traveling with the prevailing winds and, you guessed it, perfect for a catamaran.

Interested in sailing around the world?

You have friends? Bring all of them!

Maybe not all, but many catamarans can fit many people; 6-10 people is not uncommon. Most of the space is on deck, but since there are two hulls, there are usually 2-4 berths fitting 4-8 people sleeping!

That’s a lot of friends, family, cats, or whomever you would want to bring.

Are you used to monohulls? Then you need to update your storm tactics!

Often, the boat will survive more hardship than the crew; it has happened more than once that a ship will be found only to have lost its team somewhere in the middle of the ocean.

A boat is only as good as its captain allows it to become; with poor sailing skills comes danger, and handling a catamaran IS different than handling another type of boat. Ensure you update your skillset, especially those considering rough weather, so that they are relevant when transitioning to a different kind of vessel!

Full speed with double engines

Exactly how fast you will be able to travel is, of course, dependent upon many factors. But something you can rely on is that more power equals higher speeds; in most catamarans, they employ two engines!

If you want to see a table of examples comparing sailing with one engine and two engines, check this out.

Hate swinging around on anchor? You better up your bridle-game

A well-balanced bridle will make the cat stay stable towards the wind; a poorly balanced bridle will tend to do a pendulum motion where the waves might push it one way only for the wind to push it back.

Want to better understand how a bridle work and how to make one?

Don’t stop before the beach; go all the way upon it.

Sailing in the Caribbean, we could often find ourselves wanting to explore a deserted island. We could either throw in the dingy or swim to shore; with a catamaran, you have a third option: “beach” it.

Beaching a catamaran means taking it all the way up to the shoreline so you can step off onto a beautiful beach without even getting your toes wet!

Check this out to understand what beaching a catamaran is like.

The cat is enormous; why not live on it!

A monohull’s size is usually what takes the fun and comfort out of the vacation, but with more space and your own berth/room, the ability to stay comfortably for more extended periods increases.

You might even have a hard time to get people of your boat 😉

How to sail faster upwind than a longer monohull

Yes, it is usually true that a mono can go closer to the wind than your average cat; this means a shorter distance from point A to point B if traveling directly towards the wind.

But, and its a big but (one T) catamarans on average are faster, that means even though they might have to travel a longer distance, they will usually show up at the destination faster than its mono counterpart.

Especially if we are talking longer distances, let’s say around the world or Atlantic crossings, then there is no discussion over which is the fastest.

Check this list of catamaran speeds to learn more .

No more merry-go-round while at anchor

One of the things I hated the most when living and sailing on a monohull was getting seasick when not even sailing. The wind pushing you one way and the waves the other makes for an incredibly potent mix of sea-sickness.

On a cat, that’s not really an issue; yes, it will swing around a little, it might even swing a little extra since it catches a lot of wind, but it is not going to roll! Which is a huge deal!

How to become a better sailor

Everybody says that to become a good sailor, you must get out there earn your experience, but without the correct feedback and conclusions, you might be at risk of sub optimizing your skillset.

This means that unless you bring someone very experienced, you might create habits that only work under the circumstances you have practiced, that is, calm weather close to shore.

What you need is someone to tell you, “that works today, but it will get you into trouble in X and Y situations,” those tips are vital! Get the opinion of someone you trust, whether it’s online or an actual person tagging along!

The American sailing association has a pretty cool book about handling large catamarans, check it out here.

Sailing single-handed

Catamarans, when set up correctly, can be sailed single-handed or shorthanded. Some of the changes you’ll have to make include;

Get an autopilot
Make sure your lines go all the way to the cockpit, so you don’t have to leave your GPS, radar, etc.
Remove things that are obstructing your view; there are only two eyes on board!
Ensure you have enough physical power to handle the winches, sail, etc., if you don’t? Hit the gym; if that doesn’t work, buy electric winches.
Practice sailing single-handed(but have a passive crew tag along for safety) and figure out what else you need.

More info on how to sail single-handed

Anchoring your cat at sea

One way to do this is to use a sea anchor, basically a parachute in the water that breaks your movements. more on sea anchors here

The sea depth in the middle of an ocean can be thousands of meters, so bringing that much anchor chain doesn’t really work. What you would do is drift under control, that is, situating the boat in a comfortable position, and that doesn’t make you drift too much in the wrong direction.

Picking up a mooring ball

This is a common question, but I’m not sure why it intimidates people as much as it does. It is probably the easiest way to anchor of them all.

Basically, what you want to do is;

Prepare your bridle
Head into the wind slowly, approach the ball on the same side of the centerline as your friend, who will later pick it up.
Take into consideration the drift occurring by the wind and current.
Use a boathook, stick, or whatever to pick up the line from the mooring ball and attach it to the center of your bridle.
Put the boat in reverse, give it a little throttle, and tension the lines so that you can trust your anchoring
Voila, you’ve picked up your first mooring ball!
How to make your useless friend useful onboard

Turn that useless friend into and a vital asset!

The best way to prepare for troublesome situations is to think through what problems may happen and what you want to do when it happens. What you do is you bring that diamond in the rough that is your friend onboard, you discuss a few situations, you tell her what you want her to do and when.

Then you practice, not full-on, but you will show your friend how things are done; let’s say you want help with anchoring. Do a walkthrough of the process where you let your, now a little bit shinier diamond, handle the ropes and respond to commands. Offer honest and concrete feedback and let them succeed in the task.

Once you feel comfortable with your friend’s actions, you have accomplished two things, you have taught your friend a new skill, and you have acquired a crewmember! Glorious!

Bring your real best friend, the dog (or cat, for you weirdos 😉 )

Heeling is not only tough on us humans! On a cat (the boat), a cat(the animal) can move around more safely, and there is a smaller chance of it falling off. Many chose to keep the pet inside the boat, but I really do believe that your pets should also be able to enjoy the beautiful sailing and weather!

Prepare to see nothing.

I don’t mean beautiful islands and tropical beaches; you’ll see plenty of that! I mean, seeing where you are going, a cat has a lot of stuff in front of you(such as that glorious interior space), so if you’re used to your good old monohull, you might find it difficult at first to get at a good view of where you’re going. Especially when docking or in a marina.

Catamaran Sailing Techniques: Everything you need to know – Yachting World

The wind will give you a hard time.

A catamaran is basically a big box with floating sleds; boxes are not famous for aerodynamics. This box-shaped floater will catch a lot of wind and will make slow speed movements, such as docking, a little bit trickier.

To the rescue comes double engines with separate controls making it possible to do 360 turns on the spot and super small unballasted keels called centerboards.

Spring of the dock will be your new way of life.

Higher on the list, we looked at the box-shaped floating thing that is a catamaran and how much the wind affects it. This is also true when exiting a dock; all that force will make it impossible to head out if the wind blows towards the dock.

Spring off the dock to the rescue! This method uses simple physics of leverage to make your stern move away from the dock even though the wind and waves are pushing you back in.

Stop turning the wheel and start using your throttles.

The downside of a shallow draft is that it won’t have much that stops you from moving sideways with the wind; the upside of having a catamaran is that you have two engines!

When moving at slow speeds, let’s say docking, you dont have much “grip” on the water and not much water passing around the rudders. This makes handling a catamaran in the same way as a monohull very difficult.

Instead, the preferred method is to put the rudder at center position and turn by offsetting the throttle; higher throttle on your right engine will make you go left and vice versa. This allows for 360 spins and precis handling in tight spaces! Pretty neat, I would say.

Get used to that hellish banging noise!

Bridge deck clearance is a real thing on a catamaran, and if you’re on a smaller sized or just poorly built, you’ll get more banging than your teenaged self ever wished for(pun intended)!

So bridge deck clearance is the distance between the water and the lowest part of the boat between the hulls.

This is the part where the water will pass between the hulls, and under some circumstances, let’s say big enough waves, water will crash and hit the underside—making not only a lot of noise but also vibrations throughout the boat.

Bring all that crap that you thought you would have to leave on land.

“sailing is living the simple life and bringing only what you need,” someone said to me once; screw that! 🙂 On a cat, there is so much space that you’ll be able to bring almost anything that you want and need.

People bring everything from scuba gear(including a system to fill up the oxygen tanks) to washing machines!

Even though I consider myself to be a simple man when it comes to stuff (i live in a van, as some of you know 😉 ) I can totally understand the beauty of bringing a lot of creature comfort on board.

Shallow draft, yes, but how deep is the water, visual checks.

Before sailing the Bahamas, I would hear of stories almost every day of boats that went aground and either got stuck or wrecked their ships. I was terrified but once underway and a couple of months in, I couldn’t really understand how it could happen.

So I started looking into the information about different accidents that I could find, and something struck me, common sense isn’t that common…

I realized that many sailors trusted their GPS or maps more than they trust their own eyes. I could easily understand that the people who went aground were the ones that did not do visual checks when entering or moving through a shallow section.

When storms roll in, the seafloor, especially if made of sand, shifts, and depths, is rarely accurate on a map, and if your sailing with only a few feet to spare, you better keep an eye out!

If monohulls give you feedback like your mom at family dinner, then a catamaran is your dead budgie.

Maybe that title is a bit of a stretch and only applies to my family; if so, sorry about that, let’s carry on!

So when the wind hits the sails on a monohull, it leans to the side, everybody gets seasick, and you want to go home, that is not all bad! That same feeling also gives the captain a sensation of how much force is acted upon the sails, something vital if you want to stay afloat.

The issue with a catamaran is that it does not offer feedback to the helm in the same manner; there is nothing dangerous about it; it is just different. The problem occurs when you expect feedback in the shape of leaning before you start reefing.

If you wait for that, you’ll soon find yourself in trouble! The easiest and safest way is to use a “wind speed rule of thumb,” basically a standard operating procedure for putting the reefs in based on apparent wind. Once the wind speed hits X m/s, you put your first reef in; when the speed hits Y m/s, you put the next reef in, and so on.

See a squall coming? Reef early!

A gust of wind? Head down, not up!

I know, I know, I compare monohulls and cats all the time… and yes, here’s one more comparison!

Some of you single-hull-people out there might be tempted to head upwind if there’s a gust hitting the sails, I would rethink that strategy and recommend you train your reactions to do the opposite!

Heading upwind(on a cat) during a gust will increase the risk of capsizing (flipping over is extremely rare, but if you’re ever going to pull it off, here’s your chance!).

Gybe like Barry White would

I’m not sure we see the same things here, but what I’m trying to say is that you want to take it nice and smooth on the transition from one side to the other.

Tighten in the sheet, pull the mainsail to the center and slowly pass from one side to the other; this will decrease the wear and tear and reduce the risk of injuries from the beam swinging like a

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

What are the Best Single-Handed Sailboats and Catamarans?

Single-handed boats aren’t just limited to solo travelers. Many cruising couples will tell you that it’s a good idea to have your boat rigged and ready to be sailed single-handed. Why? What if one person gets injured—or just seasick? If your usual crew complement is only two, it makes no sense—from a safety standpoint—to require them both to be “on duty” all the time.

Of course, there are times and situations when you’ll be headed out by yourself. Maybe you like to travel but lack a consistent crew. Or many you’d just rather not bother with a crew.

The good news is that most modern cruising boats can be modified and re-rigged to improve their single-handed abilities. It all comes down to picking the right boat and making the correct modifications. Here’s a look at some of the things you’ll want to consider and five great single-handed monohull and catamaran designs.

Goals for your boat, the under-rated importance of ease of single-handing, what does a single-hander need, types of autohelm, what does a single-hander want, single-handing rigging considerations, 5 great sailboats for single-handed cruisers, best single-handed sailing catamarans.

To find the perfect boat for you, whether solo or crewed sailing, is to make a list of goals and find the vessel that best meets them. There is no perfect boat. Furthermore, while you might be interested in solo sailing now, you might find yourself with a crew later on.

Start with the basics—why are you looking to single-hand your boat? Are you an adventure seeker looking to break records and find adventure with long-distance cruising? Thinking of entering a single-handed sailing race, like the Vendée Globe ?

Or are you just a solo sailor looking for a production boat that’s easy to operate by yourself? This is more common than you might imagine. Most cruising couples out there will readily admit that one member of the crew does very little to help during the actual act of sailing.

Even on two-person crews where both partners are capable, it’s often desirable for the boat to be equipped to be handled by just one person. What if one partner becomes incapacitated by seasickness—or worse, an injury? What if, even rarely, one person needs to move the boat while the other person is away?

The point is simply this—every boat that is being considered by a couple or a short-handed crew should be able to be handled by a single sailor. Whether you’re on watch while the rest of the crew sleeps or you just want to be ready for an emergency, no cruising boat should be impossible to handle alone.

What are the Best Single-Handed Sailboats and Catamarans_Where you make

Nearly all modern cruising boats can at least be modified for easier solo handling. Here’s a look at some of the most critical gear and considerations.

The importance of each of these items will vary greatly depending on the boat, its mission, and its crew. Rigging any boat is a very personal choice. Sailors notoriously like to do things their own ways, and their boats demonstrate this character trait. The way the manufacturer or the last owner set things up is just a starting point from which you begin modifying the boat for your use.

Probably the most helpful thing to be able to single-hand is a competent hand on the helm. Thankfully, several modern and old technologies can provide solo sailors with just that.

The goal here is to allow the boat to hold a course without the operator being at the helm. Some form of “autohelm” or “autopilot” is invaluable on long passages. While it’s romantic to think of steering your ship through the dark night, in truth, it is exhausting work. An autopilot or windvane lets you relax and know that the boat will hold its course while you keep watch.

In severe weather at sea, it’s not uncommon for hand-steering crews to stand very short watches, sometimes less than an hour. This is simply due to the workload of controlling the boat in heavy weather. Some boats are more work than others, but all require more helm work when the seas are up.

This is the primary reason why the autopilot system, whatever it is, should be considered an essential part of a boat’s safety gear. A sailboat autopilot system is simply invaluable if you plan to travel far distances or do overnights on your boat.

A windvane is a purely mechanical method to controlling the boat’s heading. It has two parts—the actual windvane and then some form of steering. Many wind vanes are so well regarded as to be recognizably by brand name. Monitor and Hydrovane are probably the two most well-known models.

The windvane assembly is mounted on the transom of a vessel. The windvane itself sticks up like the rudder of an airplane, and it reacts to the wind and spins. As it spins, it uses linkages to either move the ship’s rudder or its own smaller rudder. The operator simply adjusts some small lines to select what direction the boat should be sailing from the wind. The windvane then holds that angle.

There are many advantages to these systems, and their usefulness offshore should not be underestimated. While we’re often dazzled by the digital and the new-fangled, a windvane is dead simple and offers the ultimate in reliability. It uses no battery power and requires very little input to operate. It is nothing more than metal, and short of being severely damaged or bent, there’s just not much that can go wrong with one. And one final bonus—some windvanes can be used as emergency rudders.

For all their pluses, windvanes do have some downsides. They are large and bulky, hanging off the back of the boat. And they are costly to purchase and install, too.

Electronic Autopilots

Most modern boats are equipped with at least a little bit of electronics, and autopilots are now very common. An autopilot can be described as above or below decks, depending on where the drive unit is mounted.

Regardless of the details, all autopilots work in approximately the same way. They use either a motor or hydraulic system to move some part of the boat’s rudder linkages. Some move the wheel, while others attach to an arm on the rudder shaft. Either way, the autopilot uses electronic signals to move the boat’s rudder left or right, just like moving the wheel.

Most simple autopilots are connected to an electronic compass, giving the operator a heading hold. Sailing models may also tie into the wind instruments to allow the holding of an apparent wind angle. New models that talk to the chartplotter may track navigation courses between waypoints or entire pre-planned navigation routes.

The bigger the boat, and the heavier the weather it might encounter, then the beefier an autopilot system needs to be. Autopilots can and do fail—they’re complicated electronics with a lot of moving parts. Single-handers venturing far offshore will likely want to have an entire backup unit installed or use their autopilot in concert with a manual windvane.

For boats looking to travel long distances or make overnight passages, there is no substitution for having a spare set of eyes on board. All vessels operate on the concept of “see and avoid,” meaning each captain’s responsibility to watch out for other traffic. If a single-hander is busy doing something else, like letting the autopilot drive the boat while they make their supper, who’s “on watch?”

There is only one electronic device that can be used as a second set of eyes, and that’s a good quality marine radar. All modern units allow operators to set up “guard zones.” The unit will monitor a pre-determined zone around the boat and notify you if an object is detected inside that zone.

Of course, there are other benefits to having radar on board. It can see through rain and fog. If you’re sailing solo, there’s no reason not to have a second set of eyes on board, even if they’re electronic.

What are the Best Single-Handed Sailboats and Catamarans_Where you make it

Once you’ve got a reliable autopilot and radar on board, you can move from the items you need into the items you might want. If you have an autopilot that works and you plan your actions carefully, you can likely handle any vessel without the following equipment. But these items might make it all a little more pleasant and are worth considering.

Electric Windlass and Winches

Cruising vessels that anchor regularly often have electric windlasses. These make hoisting the anchor and chain back aboard as easy as pressing a button. While manual windlasses enable you to bring up very heavy ground tackle, they take a long time to do it and require an awful lot of elbow grease.

The same applies to sailing winches on larger boats. Electric winches are complex and do take a lot of power, but they also make hoisting and handling big sails a breeze.

Line Control From the Cockpit

Pretty much every sailboat has the most crucial control lines rigged to the cockpit. Jib and main sheets are the perfect examples. But some boats go one step further, also running halyards and reefing lines to the cockpit, too.

There are plusses and minuses to this approach. Running these lines from the base of the mast aft to the cockpit increases the drag on the system, meaning it will take more effort to hoist or tighten the lines. But the security of not having to leave the cockpit if you don’t have to is worth the investment, so long as you have the rope clutches and winch power to make it all work.

Some sailors balk at the idea of running these lines aft, often citing that they’ll have to go forward if something goes wrong. But most of the time, they won’t have to. Fewer trips up on deck at sea means a safer and easier voyage all around. For the single-hander especially, the more you can do from one position, the better.

The layout of how the lines are run to the cockpit is important, too. This is often more a factor in the yacht’s design than something you can easily play with. But where applicable, a sailor will want to spend considerable time thinking about where they want to put lines and how they want to get them there.

Rig Simplicity

The simpler the rig, the easier it is to sail. While nearly all production boats are sloops, the catboat has some distinct advantages here. With only one big sail to worry about, the amount of work and line handling is instantly reduced by two (or three, in the case of ketches or cutters). Catboats like the Nonsuch are known to be excellent performers and are super easy to sail. There are a few cat-rigged schooners out there, too.

There are many variations of traditional sailplans that have been played with on modern boats. Junk rigs, for example, are simple to create and very easy to sail. They’re complex in their setup and not very common on fiberglass boats, however.

If you’re looking for something easy to handle, efficient, and really wild, check out this article from Sail Magazine featuring some of the cutting-edge things found on yachts and the very interesting AeroRig.

Related: Best Trailerable Sailboats

Self-Tending Headsails

Some sloops have smaller headsails that are “self-tending.” This is another way of saying that these sails don’t need to be tacked, you can trim them like a mainsail, and you can tack the boat simply by turning the helm. That’s a considerable reduction in workload for the crew, whether they’re a single-hander or not.

Roller Furlers on Sails

Headsails can either be hanked on or rolled up on a furler. A furler means less hoisting, and you can open the sail from the cockpit. Although somewhat less common, mainsails can be furled too. Some boats have in-mast furlers. On boats with large full-batten mainsails, in-boom furlers are becoming more common.

The advantage of these systems is that they make reefing and reducing sail extremely easy. The hassle, of course, is that they have more moving parts and are expensive to install.

Cockpit Layout

The cockpit layout is about more than just the rigging. You’ll also want to take note of where and how the electronics are mounted. For example, is there a handheld VHF or do you have to go down below every time you make or answer a radio call? Are the chartplotter and radar in easy view of the helm? These are easy things to fix but worth looking at and thinking about as you set the boat up.

Easy Docking

Finally, the boat should be easy to dock single-handed. Of course, it’s always preferable to have help on the dock to get the slip safely. But this doesn’t always happen, so you should be prepared to do it yourself.

Many sailboats benefit from having a bow thruster installed, as this can help control the bow when docking in close quarters, especially in crosswind situations.

The overall size of the boat is an important factor, too. You can single hand huge yachts, which is all well and good until it comes time to dock it.

Monohulls Rigged for Easy-Operation

The good news is that you can rig nearly any boat for safe and easy single-handing. The newer the boat, the more likely it will already be set up for single-handing. Modern items like line organizers and rope clutches make it all the easier.

The boats below are exceptional in that they step away from the now ubiquitous Bermuda sloop rig. As a result, they may lose some performance abilities in some conditions, but they more than make up for it in their ease of handling.

Nonsuch 36/40

Nonsuches are distinctive boats—they are some of the only large catboats on the water today. They’re rigged with a large mainsail that is made easy to control by a wishbone boom rigging system. In effect, this makes handling a Nonsuch much like sailing a giant windsurfing board. The larger Nonsuches come from the drawing board of respected marine architect Mark Ellis.

With only one sail, the boat is straightforward to operate. First, hoist the main, and then control it with a single sheet. Tacks and jibes are easy. Reefing is as simple as letting out the halyard a little and reducing sail.

Freedom has made various interesting and straightforward rigs that contrast with the run-of-the-mill sloops found in most marinas. The number one thing you’ll notice about Freedoms is their distinctive tapered un-stayed mast. With no spreaders and no standing rigging, Freedoms look sleek from the outset.

Several models of Freedom are catboats rigged with a giant mainsail. Others, like the popular 36, are free-standing, fractionally-rigged sloops with a tiny, self-tending jib. This is the best of both worlds since the jib will provide extra power when going upwind and presents very little extra work for the crew.

Picking a catamaran for solo sailing may seem counterintuitive since they are so much larger than monohulls. But most modern catamarans are rigged from the factory for single-handed sailing. These boats are designed from the ground up for charter work—meaning that a captain will do all the work while their guests enjoy themselves. This flies in the face of the design ethos shared by most older “classic plastic” monohulls built for the club racing scene.

Most cruising catamarans are rigged with straightforward fractional sloop rigs with large, full-batten mainsails. The mains typically feature slab reefing, and the foresails are almost always mounted on furlers. Operating these boats is as simple as hoisting the main and then unrolling the jib.

Leopard 39/40 (circa 2010)

Leopard catamarans, built by Robertson and Caine of South Africa, is the sole supplier of catamarans to The Moorings yacht charter company worldwide. But their boats are equally popular among private owners who want the catamaran lifestyle and ease of sailing.

Unlike competing brands, Leopard embraced the idea of the single-handed operator from their earliest designs. Even some of their original boats, the 38, 45, and 47 (circa 1998), had excellent walk-through helm stations with all lines led to them. As a result, you can perform every task on these boats—from hoisting the main, unfurling the jib, reefing, and even trimming the traveler—while keeping one hand on the helm.

Lagoon 39/40/42 (2015 and newer)

Lagoon is Leopard’s main competitor, but if you look at their older designs, they spent years catching up to Leopard in terms of helm positioning and single-handed operations. This changed dramatically when Lagoon introduced the 39 around 2015 and the 42 and 46 a few years later.

This new generation of Lagoons went one step better than Leopard. They have ditched the enormous and powerful mainsail in favor of a larger and self-tending jib. These boats carry their masts much farther aft than other catamarans, and the design is more similar to the Prouts of the 1990s than other modern catamarans.

But this setup makes two significant improvements. First, it reduces the power of the sometimes difficult to control mainsail. Second, it also adds self-tacking abilities to the headsail. And since most cats use furling light-wind sails for downwind and calm-day sailing, no real performance loss results.

Prout Snowgoose (circa 1987)

An older boat that is underrated these days is the Prout 37 Snowgoose. These boats featured a double headsail paired with a very small and easy to tend main. While the headsails aren’t self-tacking, they are both usually mounted on furlers. This provides a lot of sail plan options for offshore adventures. Additionally, the mast on these boats is located so far aft as to be even with the helm, meaning you can do reefing and hoisting chores without leaving the cockpit.

Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.

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The ideal single-handed catamaran

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A legendary model

Easy to handle whether a beginner or expert

The Outremer 45 is a 48 ft catamaran. Easy to control from the helm station, everything is within reach and the clear view over the four corners of the boat guarantees perfect maneuvers, even single-handed.

With its narrow hulls and light weight, the feeling of gliding, well wedged in a comfortable seat with tiller in hand, is exhilarating.

But don’t worry if you leave the helm to the autopilot or if the wind gets stronger: the Outremer 45 is the most forgiving of catamarans. Peace of mind while cruising is non-negotiable on an Outremer, including on this single-handed catamaran.

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Ideal sailing ergonomics

All maneuvers are accessible from the helm station, located at the center of the boat. With a perfect view of the four corners of the catamaran and the sails, single-handed maneuvering is child’s play! After hoisting the mainsail on your own, using the electric winch in front of you, trimming and fine-tuning your sails with the mainsail and solent sheets, take the tiller, comfortably installed in the ergonomic seat, to enjoy unique steering pleasure. Returning to port, the engine controls and windlass are also within easy reach, guaranteeing seemless maneuvering.

Unmatched view of the horizon

The 360° view from the saloon and cockpit of this blue water catamaran provides exceptional visibility of the water and the surrounding environment, contributing greatly to onboard comfort. Aboard the Outremer 45, whether sitting or standing, inside or outside, the vision is perfect. A crucial factor for serene cruising! No need to climb on deck to scan the horizon, night watches will never have seemed as comfortable as at the chart table!

Easy access

The very low boom allows easy access to the mainsail, lowers the sail’s center of effort and optimizes performance and comfort at sea. Access to the coachroof is made simple with just one step near the mast, and even the youngest can take part in maneuvers under the watchful eye of the skipper. When it’s time to reef or stow the sail, no acrobatics are required, and you stay safe. All these well-thought elements make the Outremer 45 the ideal catamaran for either beginners or a single-person crew.

Architects	Barreau/ Neuman
Design consultant	Patrick Le Quément
Interior design	Darnet Design
Length	48 ft
Beam	23.3 ft
Draught	4.1/ 6.6 ft
Air draught	66.9 ft
Displacement	8.7/ 11.1 t
Sail plan - Mainsail - Selftacking jib - Gennaker - Spinnaker
CE approval	8/ 16 p
Engines	2 x 30 HP

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Single handed Docking
Docking Singlehanded
DOCKING STERN TO: Leopard 45 Catamaran Singlehanded
How to Dock Single Handed?
Single handed docking -- FINALLY! : r/sailing
Docking Single-handed シングルハンドでのドッキング練習✨

VIDEO

catamaran docking practice
Docking and un-docking of water metro catamaran with launching air bag
catamaran docking Primosten catamaran training
SuperCat 23 docking at Calapan Port.m2ts
Docking an Inboard Boat
Top tips : single handed harbor maneuvers on a cruising catamaran

COMMENTS

SINGLE-HANDED DOCKING IN 20 KNOT CROSSWIND
Don't let crosswind docking be intimidating! David (Royal Navy Yachtmaster), demonstrates how to dock this 40-foot Catamaran single-handed in 20-knots of cro...
Driving and Docking a Catamaran: Guide for Boaters
Docking a Catamaran. Docking a catamaran requires a combination of skills and careful attention to the conditions. The wider beam, lighter weight, and susceptibility to wind present unique challenges. However, with some practice, catamarans can be docked smoothly and efficiently. 1. Approach at an Angle. When docking a catamaran, the first rule ...
Single-handed Docking Procedures
Senior Cruiser. Join Date: May 2003. Location: Chesapeake Bay. Boat: Sabre 28-2. Posts: 3,197. Images: 37. Single-handed Docking Procedures. I saw a bit of discussion on this in the single-hander thread, but thought it might be good to break it out as a separate discussion.
How To Dock a Catamaran (Step-by-Step For Beginners)
Approach the Dock With the Bow at About a 45° Angle. Once again, remember, slow is good when it comes to docking, whichever way you do it. As you approach your berth at the dock, turn the bow at about 45° to the dock. To get the angle, put the outer engine into forward and the inner to neutral.
Big catamaran 45+ single hand friendly
Join Date: Sep 2012. Location: Virgin Islands. Boat: PDQ 36, 36'5", previously Leopard 45 cat and Hunter 33 mono. Posts: 1,345. Re: Big catamaran 45+ single hand friendly. What makes a cat easy to singlehand, has little to do with winch position, lines led aft, and all those things that salesmen talk about.
Single Handed Docking Question
Re: Single Handed Docking Question. Generally a mid cleat spring is the best. GEt it hooked on (a short one) then turn your rudder to opposite side of the finger pier, give the engine a little forward gas and the stern and midship will sidle nicely up to the pier allowing you to step off, and get the other lines fixed.
Best way to single hand dock to starboard with wind blowing you off:
Please let me know what you think. Thanks. 1) Touch the starboard dock midway with the bow. 2) turn wheel full counter clock wise to port. 3) engine forward at 1000 rpm's. 4) jump off bow (perhaps with boat hook) to secure bow spring line. 5) secure bow or stern line depending on which is off dock farther. 6) if stern is too far off dock jump ...
How do YOU setup your slip to come in single handed? : r/sailing
Come in slowly to your slip, under power. When the first cleat on the dock is on your beam, leave the helm, go to the bight and drop/loop it around that dock cleat. Put your helm over to the opposite side of your docking line (so your bow is pulling away from the line). Keep going forward.
Every Single-Handed Sailing Technique the Pros Use
Have your docking lines and fenders ready before approaching the mooring area. Approach slowly to maintain better control of your boat and reduce the risk of collisions. Use a boat hook to help you reach the mooring lines or buoy. Secure your boat by attaching the bow line first, followed by the stern and spring lines.
Sailboat Docking
DOCKING UNDER POWER. In this sailboat docking video, Offshore Sailing School Founder, Steve Colgate, shows you the best way to dock under power. This simple system gives you excellent control whether you are sailing with others or single-handed. Here are some helpful hints on how to dock a sailboat: Set up your aft amidships spring line first
Docking Made Easy Videos
Download Now. Learn how to dock a sailboat under sail, or under power, in a variety of different scenarios. Sailing legend Peter Isler walks us through the process using animations and live action footage. Understand the techniques and skills required by both skipper and crew in order to make your docking experiences safe and easy.
Can You Sail a Catamaran By Yourself?
You can sail most small and medium-sized cruising catamarans by yourself. Thanks to technological advances such as electric winches and powered sail control, it's easier than ever to sail a catamaran single handed. In this article, we'll go over the nuances of sailing a catamaran by yourself. We'll cover the different sizes of catamarans and ...
Catamaran Manoeuvring Tips & Leaving a Marina
How to Leave a Dock and Manoeuvre Around a MarinaIn our second episode of the Inspire and Learn Series, catamaran expert Joe Fox talks us through how to effe...
How to Dock and Swing a Catamaran
Updated: July 19, 2013. Bows First: With strong current sweeping from ahead and boats fore and aft, use a fender on the stern quarter to swing the bows clear. Apply just enough thrust with the port engine to keep the boat from going backward into the dock; a spring line may be helpful. Power in reverse on the starboard engine until the bows are ...
First Singlehanded Docking and Undocking
First Singlehanded Docking and Undocking. Docking / August 30, 2021 by TJ / 1 Comment. On a calm day I did my first solo docking and undocking with S/V Counterpoint, my Bristol 45.5. I was only going as far as the pumpout dock and there were plenty of folks around who would have been willing to help with lines but conditions were great so I ...
Single handed docking help
1. Don't fight the wind 2. A post is easier to reach than a pontoon cleat. 3. The midship cleat is the first to get on when single handed. 4. It is easy to warp a yacht into position ( mine was 17 tons) Fenders out and lines from all four corners and midships run back to the rails by the cockpit.Set up outside the marina while you have sea room.
Living the dream single handed onboard 50ft Lagoon
Being a practical person he was also looking for something he could comfortably manage single handed and also perform well, for him, Lagoon ticked all the boxes. ... In this episode, join Joe Fox as he walks you through the intricate process of docking a catamaran in a tight berth with a crosswind. read more. A Perfect Day Aboard the PRESTIGE ...
How to Dock and Undock a Catamaran
Catamaran, with its two engines wide apart, one engine on each hull, could maneuver in a tight space and turn pretty much in its own length. This video will ...
The secret to fast and easy mooring: the midships spring
Single-handed sailing There are numerous small variations on the theme - a common one for single-handed sailors is to lead the spring through the bridge of the cleat (or via a block near the toerail) and then take it back to a primary winch in the cockpit. A bowline is then tied in the end of the line and dropped onto a cleat on the pontoon.
39 Vital Tips, How To Sail a Catamaran! (For Beginners, The Fun and
In contrary to many beliefs, cats can be sailed single-handed. Another myth is that catamarans are harder to sail than their monohull counterpart; this is simply not true in a general sense. If the boat is set up for shorthanded sailing, it will most certainly be easier to sail than its heeling and leaning sister ship, the monohull.
What are the Best Single-Handed Sailboats and Catamarans?
Finally, the boat should be easy to dock single-handed. Of course, it's always preferable to have help on the dock to get the slip safely. ... Best Single-Handed Sailing Catamarans. Picking a catamaran for solo sailing may seem counterintuitive since they are so much larger than monohulls. But most modern catamarans are rigged from the ...
How To Park Your Catamaran
In our Docking Episode, Part 2 Joe Fox explains how to park your catamaran bow first and stern first. This demonstration was done on the Lagoon 42 and is int...
Ideal single-handed catamaran, Outremer 45
A legendary model. Easy to handle whether a beginner or expert. The Outremer 45 is a 48 ft catamaran. Easy to control from the helm station, everything is within reach and the clear view over the four corners of the boat guarantees perfect maneuvers, even single-handed. With its narrow hulls and light weight, the feeling of gliding, well wedged ...