Good stuff! Something you could do when docking is having the motor on forward gear after you have the stern line in place. That would push the boat towards the dock and remove the urgency of getting hold of the bow line. Can use the same trick when leaving the dock as well, meaning you can let go of the bow line first and avoid running.
Excellent video. I single hand my 34’ sailboat the majority of the time for the reasons you explained well. The 4th piece of safety equipment I use, in addition to PFD, lanyard and portable VHF is a Garmin InReach mini. It doesn’t cost a lot and can provide satellite guided assistance if you are in the water away from the boat. Your docking was textbook. As you pointed out the key is to understand how the wind will affect positioning. I never let my boat speed drop below 2 knots to ensure full rudder command and then use reverse gear to slow the boat to zero so I can step off the boat onto the dock. Much easier with an inboard for sure. And as you said, an autopilot is a Godsend for single handing - I use mine all the time. Thanks for this awesome video.
@@randymcmeekin1955 I also have an InReach mini! Love it - hanging from a shackle near the panel. Mostly use it for remote hikes / backwoods camping. In my area of the bay I have full bars of service with Verizon
I wrap a line around each stern cleat and loop the tiller in the middle. It has a little give, but will keep a course well enough to run up and do one thing at a time. Appreciate the video- will be checking out your channel.
Nice work. I was out single handing my Allied 36 yesterday. It is a good feeling. When you have the opportunity you will find that is is actually easier to single hand a properly set up bigger boat because things don't happen as fast.
Really good how you emphasized preparation prior to throwing lines. Couple of other items would be to gauge the tension on the lines to determine the order of throwing off. Also make sure all lines can be quickly removed when needed, ie a single cleat hitch. You may also want to preposition the boat to account for the wind and current, prior to throwing those last couple of lines. I have a larger vessel that has a bow thruster, which usually means the stern line gets thrown last. Also you may want to mention looping the line around the dock cleat and tying it off on the boat in cases where the lines are going with the boat.
Thanks for sharing. This old dog is trying to learn how to single-hand a 10K lb boat with a tiller and full keel. Much appreciated & hello from the VA side of the Potomac.
Awesome stuff man! I have my Hunter 26.5 in the marina you see at left just before you are entering HHN. I'm a Novice and just single handed first time on Sunday. But more to learn! Getting back into slip is tough so I need more practice.
Quite good. Your lifejacket is too loose for the clothes you were wearing: you should be able to just get your fist between it and your chest; and it doesn't have a crotch strap, so it will just ride up over your head if you fell in. The bow was starting to drift off when you came into the dock and in stronger winds might have blown you beyond reach of the mooring line - I was surprised you didn't keep a bit of engine on with left turn once the stern line was on to push you in to the berth. Interesting that you didn't mention fenders too. But some good single-handed advice in there
Just a tip, when you come into the channels do the reverse of what you do when coming out. have the sails ready to go up again just in case your motor fails. You then have the ability to sail back out if needed.
Hi! Great video. Just two notes. Install life lines from the heck to the bow of your boat. You don't want to go forward and deal with the sails in rough conditions without being clipped to the lines. Second your lanyard seems to be to long. It is always a tricky decision between not too long and not too short. If the lanyard is too long and you will fall off your boat you will land in water and the oat will drag you if too short your area of movement is reduced. You can do an easy experiment. Just ask a buddy to go with you sailing and let the boat just sail 1 -2 knots while you are in water whit your lanyard attached.
Nice to see the cd 28. I used to own one. Simple addition to your any boat repertoire: never go head to wind. Always heave to (on starboard tack) to raise or reef mainsail. Simple 3 strand across the tiller permanently set up to make 4,5 wraps. Not tight(raising tiller for tight) is part of it too.Life changing. Play around with self steering with sail trim. It will save the tiller pilot and battery for light and motoring.Keep at the solo stuff.
You don't need to convince me to singlehand. I love the solitude, and being captain of my own boat! I am looking to get a bigger boat, like around that size, so this video was encouraging.
Solid video. Did not see if your boat has a midship cleat. My boat has one, so I have a single line with a loop in the middle on my midship cleat with the ends tied to each end of the finger pier. Coming in, I boat hook the finger pier V line first and throw the loop over my midships cleat that makes me fast to the finger pier and also serves as a for and aft springer line. I have heard that setup called a V line or a cheater line. I have a similar V line on the main dock to center the bow. I have a separate set of dock lines that go with the boat.
You also need three unexpired flares with a flare gun. I fire extinguisher, your registration, at least one throw out float device for rescue, all what is needed by coast guard or you get big fines😮then your ready to learn to sail.
It seems like this video was more for your own personal " can I do this" than for us viewers. But great content nevertheless. I'm a new captain, also single-handing a columbia 27, and I go through this same thing every time before I raise the sails in my head.
haha! I used to sail out of Herrington Harbor South with a guy who owned a 28-foot Cape Dory. She was a solid, comfy boat that lacked the furling you have, but had an engine. We sailed all over the Bay and always backed her into slips. I appreciate the emphasis on safety.
Single handing my 45 sloop is way easier than what you’re doing. Everything is automated and I have in mast furling. Much respect. Small boats are harder to sail than many realize.
www.amazon.com/dp/B00EUWIBZK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details I used a rando shackle and carabiner to secure them. Amazing product for the price - highly recommend
When I leave the boat for extended periods I manually roll it up the opposite direction to get a few wraps of sheets on the jib. When it unfurls it reverses direction
@@youngkevin89 I have a CAL 29 (I'm in Baltimore). I just put an outboard on it and am going to remove the old engine. Your videos I've seen are super cool and inspiring!
You did an excellent job. Loved the prep-work and safety-first checklist.
Good stuff! Something you could do when docking is having the motor on forward gear after you have the stern line in place. That would push the boat towards the dock and remove the urgency of getting hold of the bow line. Can use the same trick when leaving the dock as well, meaning you can let go of the bow line first and avoid running.
Excellent video. I single hand my 34’ sailboat the majority of the time for the reasons you explained well. The 4th piece of safety equipment I use, in addition to PFD, lanyard and portable VHF is a Garmin InReach mini. It doesn’t cost a lot and can provide satellite guided assistance if you are in the water away from the boat. Your docking was textbook. As you pointed out the key is to understand how the wind will affect positioning. I never let my boat speed drop below 2 knots to ensure full rudder command and then use reverse gear to slow the boat to zero so I can step off the boat onto the dock. Much easier with an inboard for sure. And as you said, an autopilot is a Godsend for single handing - I use mine all the time. Thanks for this awesome video.
@@randymcmeekin1955 I also have an InReach mini! Love it - hanging from a shackle near the panel. Mostly use it for remote hikes / backwoods camping. In my area of the bay I have full bars of service with Verizon
Really enjoying your videos. I’m just getting into sailing myself so it’s great to see a step by step video like this!
I agree
Excellent video , very well explained. I hope to see more content from you.Thank you for sharing.
Excellent video, good advice.
nice explanation mate 👍
I wrap a line around each stern cleat and loop the tiller in the middle. It has a little give, but will keep a course well enough to run up and do one thing at a time. Appreciate the video- will be checking out your channel.
Ah a DAC fan, I'll just subscribe now.
Hm, interesting how you started cutting in the middle of taking the main down.
Well done ! ⚓️⛵️
Nicely done!
Thank you. I'm going out tomorrow.
The docking part is what scares me.
Nice work. I was out single handing my Allied 36 yesterday. It is a good feeling. When you have the opportunity you will find that is is actually easier to single hand a properly set up bigger boat because things don't happen as fast.
My boat is also called Laminar Flow (not the one at your marina).
Really good how you emphasized preparation prior to throwing lines. Couple of other items would be to gauge the tension on the lines to determine the order of throwing off. Also make sure all lines can be quickly removed when needed, ie a single cleat hitch. You may also want to preposition the boat to account for the wind and current, prior to throwing those last couple of lines. I have a larger vessel that has a bow thruster, which usually means the stern line gets thrown last. Also you may want to mention looping the line around the dock cleat and tying it off on the boat in cases where the lines are going with the boat.
Excellent video , very well explained. I hope to see more content from you.Thank you for sharing.
I’m a new subscriber! Excellent video! I have a Cape Dory Typhoon! Love Cape Dories.
Thanks for sharing. This old dog is trying to learn how to single-hand a 10K lb boat with a tiller and full keel. Much appreciated & hello from the VA side of the Potomac.
Awesome stuff man! I have my Hunter 26.5 in the marina you see at left just before you are entering HHN. I'm a Novice and just single handed first time on Sunday. But more to learn! Getting back into slip is tough so I need more practice.
Quite good. Your lifejacket is too loose for the clothes you were wearing: you should be able to just get your fist between it and your chest; and it doesn't have a crotch strap, so it will just ride up over your head if you fell in.
The bow was starting to drift off when you came into the dock and in stronger winds might have blown you beyond reach of the mooring line - I was surprised you didn't keep a bit of engine on with left turn once the stern line was on to push you in to the berth.
Interesting that you didn't mention fenders too.
But some good single-handed advice in there
Just a tip, when you come into the channels do the reverse of what you do when coming out. have the sails ready to go up again just in case your motor fails. You then have the ability to sail back out if needed.
Nicely done video! I have had my O'day 28 for 1.5 years. This season I have sworn to single hand! For all the reasons you stated....
Oday 28 is a nice boat. Good luck to you!!
Hi! Great video. Just two notes. Install life lines from the heck to the bow of your boat. You don't want to go forward and deal with the sails in rough conditions without being clipped to the lines. Second your lanyard seems to be to long. It is always a tricky decision between not too long and not too short. If the lanyard is too long and you will fall off your boat you will land in water and the oat will drag you if too short your area of movement is reduced. You can do an easy experiment. Just ask a buddy to go with you sailing and let the boat just sail 1 -2 knots while you are in water whit your lanyard attached.
That was great. Especially the docking. I have a CD 27 and just figuring out how to single hand. Thanks
Right on 👍
Nice to see the cd 28. I used to own one. Simple addition to your any boat repertoire: never go head to wind. Always heave to (on starboard tack) to raise or reef mainsail. Simple 3 strand across the tiller permanently set up to make 4,5 wraps. Not tight(raising tiller for tight) is part of it too.Life changing. Play around with self steering with sail trim. It will save the tiller pilot and battery for light and motoring.Keep at the solo stuff.
Lazy jacks sure help
I can single hand sail a 44 ft boat. So what?
Very nice and clear explanation. How much headroom do you have in the 28? Thank you
@@TravelinLight303 About 6 foot 2 inches?
Thank you
You don't need to convince me to singlehand. I love the solitude, and being captain of my own boat! I am looking to get a bigger boat, like around that size, so this video was encouraging.
Good luck on your journey
Midship line!!!
Solid video. Did not see if your boat has a midship cleat. My boat has one, so I have a single line with a loop in the middle on my midship cleat with the ends tied to each end of the finger pier. Coming in, I boat hook the finger pier V line first and throw the loop over my midships cleat that makes me fast to the finger pier and also serves as a for and aft springer line. I have heard that setup called a V line or a cheater line. I have a similar V line on the main dock to center the bow. I have a separate set of dock lines that go with the boat.
Unfortunately I do not, but sometimes I think about putting one in for this exact reason. If this were a CD 30 or 33 I think it would be mandatory
Excellent video !!!
more of these videos please!
You also need three unexpired flares with a flare gun. I fire extinguisher, your registration, at least one throw out float device for rescue, all what is needed by coast guard or you get big fines😮then your ready to learn to sail.
You forgot the "noise maker" protocol.
It seems like this video was more for your own personal " can I do this" than for us viewers. But great content nevertheless. I'm a new captain, also single-handing a columbia 27, and I go through this same thing every time before I raise the sails in my head.
haha! I used to sail out of Herrington Harbor South with a guy who owned a 28-foot Cape Dory.
She was a solid, comfy boat that lacked the furling you have, but had an engine.
We sailed all over the Bay and always backed her into slips.
I appreciate the emphasis on safety.
I singlehand my Pearson 31-2 out of the West River. I knew you were on the Chesapeake by the color of the water!
Hi, what boat is this? Nice boat
@@OoiBeng-o5z 1981 Cape Dory 28
What kind of shoes ya wearing?
www.Floafers.com I have like 5 pairs - greatest warm weather sailing shoe ever made
Subscribed that was great!
Single handing my 45 sloop is way easier than what you’re doing. Everything is automated and I have in mast furling. Much respect. Small boats are harder to sail than many realize.
One day I’ll have a boat with a bow thruster ❤
THX a lot. Buon vento
Where do you find those storage hammocks?
www.amazon.com/dp/B00EUWIBZK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
I used a rando shackle and carabiner to secure them. Amazing product for the price - highly recommend
Why is your roller line from the gib drum going around the stainless instead of going out of it without any contact?
When I leave the boat for extended periods I manually roll it up the opposite direction to get a few wraps of sheets on the jib. When it unfurls it reverses direction
Your speed when approaching the dock is the speed you’d be happy to hit something at 😅
I can tell you watch Sam Holmes
he has a diesel inboard though. I think its a yanmar. His Cape Dory may be a tad newer.... very nicely equipped but he doesn't have a stove.
Ahh the ventriloquist of sailing... He's about as interesting as an engineer. Watch Christian Williams instead.
I’m not sure if you mentioned it but what kind of outboard are you using and what was the original engine for your boat?
@@BoatsnHoes69420 Tohatsu 9.8 - I think the original was a Volvo md7a?
@@youngkevin89 I have a CAL 29 (I'm in Baltimore). I just put an outboard on it and am going to remove the old engine. Your videos I've seen are super cool and inspiring!