Sailing Singles

I like the idea of this group though I disagree with the comment that no one should be sailing solo. I took off on a 9-month single-handed cruise to Mexico, Belize and Guatemala years ago and there were only a couple of times it would have been nice to have someone else along.

The advantages of going solo is that if YOU get tired of an anchorage, marina or other location you don't have an argument with anyone about hoisting anchor or slipping the lines to see what's going on somewhere else. You get to eat what YOU want when YOU want, and if that's gumdrops and a beer for breakfast who's going to argue?

That said, it's often nice to have someone to share that meteor shower when you're anchored off some tropical little island on the edge of the reef.

Where's the bar?

I have been a life-long collector of quotations on subjects I like, primarily with a nautical theme. Also, having been single at various times in my life I have been a reader of personal ads. I would have like to have met the lady who wrote this one...

KETCH THIS! Beautifully crafted Tampa vessel, intelligently rigged, sleek, totally tanned hull, narrow beam, plenty of topsail, gourmet galley, light to moderate maintenance and very little weather helm. May be sailed by fit, trim, attractive, secure, non-smoking, light drinking, 45-55ish captain with a great sense of humor and a dinghy that starts on the first pull!

Hi folks, Question...is it hard to sail with someone, after being alone for a time? Comments?....Lola

Lola - Yes, it is difficult to cruise with someone full time. You spend much more time with that person on a boat than you do living on land. You're in such small quarters. And it would be harder the longer you've been alone. I believe cruisers should have alone time, a day out shopping, a day out gathering parts (which can take a day in some places) - you'll find what works. Also, both parties need to be flexible and work at the relationship and communicate with each other. This is not the time for ESP or guessing games.

I was cruising with a partner who got tired of the cruising life and left. I singlehanded alone for 3 years and I'll agree that it's not for everyone. I feel it's not as safe, it's not as much fun and sometimes 2 minds are better than one.

Lola,,, It's said about relationships, 'One should find someone as mature as, or maturer than youreslf. Apply the rule to your sailing expectations; partner up with someone (experienced) learn, argue till ye truley learn it (its ok to cry) and enjoy...

...and leave "love" out of the picture. You should'nt cheat on your love to sail anyway.

Agreeing with Betty,
For safety purposes its best to for a posse (buddy system).
But as long as all cards on the table and ye realize your "stuck like chuck" with a person, ye may and should leave shore with a real "Captain Ron."

Live like a band of gypsies happily till the money runs out..

___/)

For many, it's go solo, or don't go at all. And no doubt, there are those who relish the solitude, and being able to do what they want, when they want. After a year and a half though, I know that having a compatible partner to share the voyage with would more than double the enjoyment. Aside from the obvious advantages to having two on board though, to me, it's having someone to share the awesome, goofy, and peaceful moments, that really makes the difference. Someone who lends their perspective to what you see. Someone who gives you cause to do something you might not do alone.

I sail western Lake Erie, more often than not, singlehanded. When I bought my first boat, a 16' McVay Falcon, I thought "Gee, who won't want to sail? I'll always have crew!" I learned otherwise. (sigh) I bought my Westerly Cirrus with the idea that there would be a lot of solo sailing and intentionally got something I could handle alone in all circumstances. It was a good choice and suits my current needs. Easy to sail, but roomy enough for friends.

But sailing, like most things, is better when there is someone to enjoy it with you. I love sharing my passions and showing others the joy of being under sail! So..... If anyone is in the area of Monroe, Michigan and wants to hang out, I'd love to meet other locals.

i love to sail alone,although it was hard at first to learn its o.k.to just enjoy things alone, like the dolphins, or a whale, or the sunset. at first i felt like the experience was less if i was the only one experiencing it. now i just enjoy! i love sailing with someone that has a good time but to be stuck on a boat with someone that doesn't enjoy it is no fun. and of course there are those times when another pair of hands would be priceless.

BARTENDER!!!

In the tight confinds of a sailboat,the personalities of the crew should mesh,attitudes and moodiness just doesn't float well.Perhaps short sea-trails with new friends is the way to go.
I haven't been sailing very long but the times I've been invited on friends boats,I make a real effort to pull my weight,have fun,never whine.That way you'll be asked to sail next time too!
I know I would HATE to be stuck on a boat with someone how didn't want to be there,attitude is EVERYTHING!
After all,I choose to have a good day.

Richard,

Have ye encountered the "Generic Forecast?":

"Probable nor'easter to sou'west winds, varying to the southward westward and eastward and points between; high and low barometer, sweeping round from place to place; probale areas of rain, snow, hail and drought, succeeded or preceded by earthquakes with thunder and lightning" -Mark Twain

sailing with a mate of the oppisite sex can be a verry romantic thing. cruzin on the other and is an experence that is as unpredictable as the wind. the options of cruisin alone are many but the safety and work are somthing to tink about when deciding to single hand it (no pun intended).

I met a Frenchman here in the Bahamas on a 28-footer and when I asked him if he sailed alone he replied, "But of course. I could handle having a woman aboard, but I couldn't handle all of her shit." Priceless!

I escape to the middle of the lake for the quiet time. That means no other voice to be heard and enjoying the one on one with my boat.
Although I am a huge advocate of solitude, it is always a great pleasure to share the high of making way.

Cant say I would rather sail with or without someone, but you can bet it WILL be one or the other!

Typically French, Christine, but I sort of understand the feeling. When people ask me about my 9 month single-handed trip down through Mexico, Belize and the Rio Dulce they invariably ask if I didn't wish I had someone along?

Of course there were a couple of times things were so spectacularly beautiful it would have been nice to have someone to share the memory with. . . but it's better to have gone alone than not to have gone at all. I had $Xs and if I'd waited around for that right someone I wouldn't have had any dollars at all.

Hello to all...hope you are having a great summer out on the water! Charles

relatively new to sailing - love it!

One plus of singlehanding is that I've had the freedom to meet many sailors I had only known online. I'm well in to my second dozen, and look forward to meeting many more.

Just checked in to whine for a minute..... I'm supposed to take off Sunday (singlehanding) from Monroe, Michigan to hang out for several days at Catawba Island, Ohio. I'm staying at a friend's marina there and we'll be hosting a "pirate party"!! Should be oodles of fun!

Here's the whining part; my new Autohelm has developed a nasty noise. Sounds like a dolphin screaming in the cockpit!! I'm not sure what's inside the case - and I'm not about to take it apart - but it sounds like broken teeth on a cog or a belt. It's still under warranty and I'll have it taken care of right away, but I was sure looking forward to having it for the trip. (sigh)

Oh well, I sailed for a long time without one, and I can do it again. But they sure are handy!

Fair winds!

I singlehanded my previous boat, an F27 trimaran, a lot on San Francisco Bay, including racing.
My new boat, a Leopard 40 catamaran "Changing Spots" is a lot easier, but much more complicated, and much more boat. I had crew all the way up from Miami to Annapolis, but singlehanded (buddyboating) from there to New York. 7/16 (tomorrow) I head north again.
It's too much fun to not share the adventure.
My slow speed internet makes it tricky to add photos, but check out my website.

Mark, your whine is totally understandable. Autohelms, in my opinion, are only useful in a dead calm. My last boat was only 26' but had a Navik windvane on the transom. Less to go wrong and worked like a charm for thousands of miles.Mp drain on the battery bank. But the key word is "wind." No wind, no work. That's when an autohelm would be handy.

And then there's the "sexy" factor to consider. Just because you're sailing on the Great Lakes (and Lake Michigan ain't no River as the song says) doesn't mean you couldn't have wind vane gear on your boat. Think how outrageously salty your boat would look with one. You'd look like a conquerer of vast oceans.

why yes we are crazy

Well anybody in the Corpus Christi area??

im in cocoa beach fla if anyone needs crew or electrical work.

You're absolutely correct, Rod. When I returned to the States in '91 I was determined to visit Belize and had a bit of a nest egg. I found a wonderful boat (Kaiser 26) that was within my budget. Actually it was a steal. Then I took off, by myself, for nine months. I had X number of $s and if I'd waited around for someone the $s would have been gone and I would never have received 13 lobster and three conch in trade for 3 cans of Chef Boyardee ravioli and 2 jars of Taster's Choice instant coffee with the fisherman at Garbutt Caye in Belize.

IT'S BETTER TO GO ALONE THAN TO NOT GO AT ALL!

SWF, 56, I live in Hampton, VA. If anyone is travelling up or down the East Coast give me a shout!

Let me be the first to congratulate you on becoming the largest group on Seaknots, surpassing mine. I knew there are more single members than there are small boat sailors and it was only a matter of time before you became the largest. Good going!

Anyone passing through Norfolk/Hampton area, Bobbi is a gracious lady and kindly drove me around for supplies last year. Well worth the effort to stop and meet a genuinely friendly person.

John
Aboard S/V Aria

Although sailing like surfing can be a solo activity...It's always more satisfying with a partner.

My name is Joni. I live in Largo, Fl. I love to sail with friends on their boats. Good ole Tropical Storm Fay is interfering with my boating fun these days, smiles.