I bought my keel last year and was new to sailing only a year before that so am no expert. I have sailed mine single handed and with inexperienced crews. First thing to say is I have not yet attempted to use the geniker I think there is too much else to do to attempt this single handed. Having said that, handling the boat with main and jib is no problem. Without the crew's weight you have to reef in lighter winds, I won't suggest a wind speed because that would be subjective, but reef if you have any doubts. The most difficult thing I have found is furling the main neatly onto the boom single handed. My boat doesn't point up as well as I expected and I have an idea that might be because I don't have the weight to keep her flat. However, even reefed, the boat seems fast to me so I hope you have lots of fun!
It is a very good boat to sail single handed with the added assurance you are unlikely to have to try and right it from a capsize by yourself. I usually sail off a mooring when I do that. It is too heavy to launch and recover alone. It is managable up to F4.
Jamie I've sailed mine mostly single handed up to F4 is fine - at F5 it gets exciting! You can launch and recover off a slip way on your own - launching is fine but recovery troublesome - on a slipway pull her up some of the way & chock then tow up the rest.
single handed
Posted - 02 Mar 2011 : 18:25:43
