[Rhodes22-list] Single Handing

[Robert Skinner]

Mike - the WM gear is certainly OK.  The real keys are
integral harness, comfort, effective and rapid deployability,
and buoyancy.

As to tacking with a genoa - many, myself included, do
as you did - take in to jib size before coming about.  You
did not mention backwinding the jib to help bring the bow
over.  Might give that a try.  If you don't have a luff pad
on your 175, you might consider adding one this winter. 
It helps maintain foresail shape when partially furled. 
Could be helpful when the November winds blow.

/Robert
-------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Cheung wrote:
> Not that this motivated me, but I did invest in two inflatable PFD/harness
> vests and "leashes" from West Marine (made by Stearns).  Maybe not Mustang,
> but they look pretty well made.  The local West Marine had them on clearance
> as they're "last years models" according to the sales clerk.  They only had
> one self inflater, got that for the Admiral, and I also got a manual
> inflation model for me.  
>
> Was out single handing yesterday, first time for me in Muireann, and
> borrowed the Admirals self inflater and kept myself  "leashed" to the stern
> rail most of the time.   Hardest part about singlehanding was getting the
> darned trailer extension set in the out position!  Dang thing is heavy and
> if you're in position to reach the hole for the bolt you have no mechanical
> advantage at all.  Had a lovely afternoon sailing alone off Avon in Lake
> Erie.  Basically just went back and forth practicing tacking single handed
> and heaving to.   With the 175 set to jib size, like for heaving to, tacking
> was easy.  With it all the way out it was a little more dicey.  
>
> For the NE Ohio Rhodies ... there's a very, very nice ramp at Miller Road
> and Lakeside in Avon Lake just west of Avon Point.  Not too steep, could
> possibly launch w/o the extension except the rear tires would be wet.  It
> has direct access to the lake from inside of a small breakwalled basin. 
> Only two ramps, but it wasn't very busy the two times I've been there so
> far, though both have been weekdays.  Trailer parking lanes are long enough
> that I didn't have to retract the extension to park my Honda Pilot and the
> trailer.  There are real cleats on the dock so I could tie Muireann up
> properly while I parked the car and trailer.  The City of Avon Lake runs it
> and charges $5 to launch, but there are rest rooms, a rinse off shower,
> rinse water for the trailer and boat, and they even have ice, cold pop
> (machines), and bait available.  There's a small city owned beach adjacent
> to the facility so you could bring a decent size group to give boat rides to
> and they'd have something to do while you were out with others.   It's also
> adjacent to a power plant, so you can't miss it coming back in from the
> lake.  
>
> Mike Cheung s/v Muireann 93/08 Rhodes 22
>  
>
> Hank-5 wrote:
>   
>> Here is why you should always wear your life jacket while single
>> handing!!!
>>
>> http://apnews.excite.com/article/20080819/D92LCL781.html
>>
>> Hank
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