Re: [bolger] Re: Soloing the Light schooner
I found I could manage my "Scooner" singlehanded by sailing under main alone. There was noticeable weather helm...
JohnT
JohnT
----- Original Message -----
From: alias1719
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 4:06 PM
Subject: [bolger] Re: Soloing the Light schooner
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Dave" <dwestdal@...> wrote:
>
> Jim,
>
> Does this sound crazy? I was thinking about adding a second
dagger
> board on the port side, and putting in steel dagger boards. All
> sheets and halyards would be lead to the aft cockpit to enable
solo
> sailing.
>
It doesn't sound so crazy, if that's the boat you've got. I wouldn't
build one with solo sailing in mind, though.
Personally, I'd forgo the extra daggerboard. If you wanted some
extra peace of mind, you might consider a weighted daggerboard,
though. Bolger's singlehanded ("His and Her") schooner has
one . . . .
Leading all lines aft would be a must, as would be good weather,
nice warm water, reefing early, having good floatation, a big bucket
and a pump, and lots of practice at righting a (big) capsized boat.
I've sailed a Light Schooner, though it was not rigged for
singlehanding, of course. It was a handful with 3 people in puffy
conditions . . . .
I'd certainly singlehand one in the right situation, though I'd plan
on getting wet.
Just my opinion.
Dave Gentry
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--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Dave" <dwestdal@...> wrote:
build one with solo sailing in mind, though.
Personally, I'd forgo the extra daggerboard. If you wanted some
extra peace of mind, you might consider a weighted daggerboard,
though. Bolger's singlehanded ("His and Her") schooner has
one . . . .
Leading all lines aft would be a must, as would be good weather,
nice warm water, reefing early, having good floatation, a big bucket
and a pump, and lots of practice at righting a (big) capsized boat.
I've sailed a Light Schooner, though it was not rigged for
singlehanding, of course. It was a handful with 3 people in puffy
conditions . . . .
I'd certainly singlehand one in the right situation, though I'd plan
on getting wet.
Just my opinion.
Dave Gentry
>dagger
> Jim,
>
> Does this sound crazy? I was thinking about adding a second
> board on the port side, and putting in steel dagger boards. Allsolo
> sheets and halyards would be lead to the aft cockpit to enable
> sailing.It doesn't sound so crazy, if that's the boat you've got. I wouldn't
>
build one with solo sailing in mind, though.
Personally, I'd forgo the extra daggerboard. If you wanted some
extra peace of mind, you might consider a weighted daggerboard,
though. Bolger's singlehanded ("His and Her") schooner has
one . . . .
Leading all lines aft would be a must, as would be good weather,
nice warm water, reefing early, having good floatation, a big bucket
and a pump, and lots of practice at righting a (big) capsized boat.
I've sailed a Light Schooner, though it was not rigged for
singlehanding, of course. It was a handful with 3 people in puffy
conditions . . . .
I'd certainly singlehand one in the right situation, though I'd plan
on getting wet.
Just my opinion.
Dave Gentry
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Dave" <dwestdal@...> wrote:
making them out of steel would be very practical either.
Perhaps the easiest thing to do would be to shorten the rig. I haven't
checked the balance calcs, but how about this idea: Pull the existing
rig and drop in two 59 sq. ft. GYPSY masts and sails? The good news is
that these sails are really quite inexpensive, $235 from Payson, so it
would not too big a burden to make the mod. One-twenty sq. ft. seems
about right, too.
>What purpose would a second daggerboard serve? I don't see where
> Jim,
>
> Does this sound crazy? I was thinking about adding a second dagger
> board on the port side, and putting in steel dagger boards. All
> sheets and halyards would be lead to the aft cockpit to enable solo
> sailing.
>
making them out of steel would be very practical either.
Perhaps the easiest thing to do would be to shorten the rig. I haven't
checked the balance calcs, but how about this idea: Pull the existing
rig and drop in two 59 sq. ft. GYPSY masts and sails? The good news is
that these sails are really quite inexpensive, $235 from Payson, so it
would not too big a burden to make the mod. One-twenty sq. ft. seems
about right, too.
Jim,
Does this sound crazy? I was thinking about adding a second dagger
board on the port side, and putting in steel dagger boards. All
sheets and halyards would be lead to the aft cockpit to enable solo
sailing.
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "shallow_water_sailer"
<dudleyspack@...> wrote:
Does this sound crazy? I was thinking about adding a second dagger
board on the port side, and putting in steel dagger boards. All
sheets and halyards would be lead to the aft cockpit to enable solo
sailing.
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "shallow_water_sailer"
<dudleyspack@...> wrote:
>to make it a more
> You have more nerve than me to go solo. I chose the lite schooner
> family event, but my seasoned crew has mutined and left forcollege.
>Mission Bay in San Diego
> You asked about sailing experiences, My wife's family grew up on
> and belonged to small boat yatch club racing sabots and Lido's, soI took out a took my
> brother-in-law saling one time. I thought had was just asexperienced like the rest of the
> family, only to find out when it was fairly calm till we got closeto the rocky shore, then the
> winds suddenly picked up to 25 - 35 mph gusts, and proving that notonly does; "Calm
> seas does not a sailer make: but also that "crashing the boat doesnot a calm captain
> make".my coment: tighten the
>
> The conversation took a distintivly different tone his response to
> fore sheet so we tack off the rocks because a down wind turn willChinese jibb the main
> His response was:"you say that sailing stuff as if you think I knowwhat you are taking
> about." At this point the expert sailing manuever looked alot likea down wind power skid
> up against the rocks, except I was dropping the main to reef themain and clear the
> Chinese gibe, when the topping lift snagged to rocks and the boomwas pulled down on
> the cleats, so I cuttt the topping lifts and starting to hoist themain, the wind did the rest
> and filled the main enough to pull the gaff back over to the boomside. When it swung
> over and the full sail area inflated the center of boom was restingon a cleat and broke in
> the middle.so we could linp back to
>
> I had him take the tiller, yeah that stick attached to the rudder,
> the dock a couple miles away on a close haul using the jib,foresail and the Staysail for a
> main. At this point, his version of the story seems to stray fromthe truth, because he has
> convinced himself that I repeatedly questioned his family lineage,because even him
> mother used to sail circles around the rest of sail boats when theywere racing.
>it against the dock,
> We didn't dammage the hull on the rocks, but rather when he slammed
> because, he realized: " I guess it doesn't park like a car". Gofigure?
>better.
> Looking back on it, the concept of solo sailing is sounding alot
>good
> Hope you have some smooth sailing: Bill Malone
>
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Jim Kessler" <jkess777@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello all,
> > I decided to try soloing the light schooner. The winds were 7-10
> > knots. I started out slow with reefed main only. After getting a
> > feel for her and not needing to get on the rail I decided toraise the
> > jib. It is amazing the added power the jib gives to this boat.Yet, I
> > was still able to sail her without getting out on the rail.decided
> > The high strung cabin cruisers were still staying with me so I
> > to go full main. At that point nothing on the lake could keep up.at the
> > I was getting thirsty and wanted a coke so decided to beach her
> > beachhouse. On my local lake the beachhouse is a leeshore withwalked to
> > pervailing winds.
> > I sailed downwind with the dagger board up to beach her and
> > get a coke.downwind
> > To leave the beach I lowered the jib(will take you straight
> > with jib)and pushed off with an oar to drop the daggerboard. Shelike I
> > happily clawed out with main only. Once clear of docks and the
> > raised the jib.running
> > To date I have not used the foresail in solo sailing. But my
> > considered rigging is a double block on the boom end with rope
> > to a bullnose cleat on the port in the horse postition. Then to awith a
> > single block on the starboard deck also at the horse postion
> > continueing by running the sheet through a fairlead aft ending
> > camcleat positioned at a right angle to the boat centerline as tobe
> > used on either tack. This rigging would take the place of thehorse
> > and sheet during solo sailing. I would also add water ballast bymeans
> > of pvc pipe filled with water on the chines forward and aft. This
> > would give me around 200# of ballast.
> > Wish me luck,
> > Jim
> >
>
Bill,
Your story might be more typical than you know especially when
considering the light schooner.
I have found sailing solo could be less risky. So far I have taken
out 9 people sailing none with expierence. Fortunately only 2 of the
9 went to the lee side of the boat. At the formal launch my daughter
went to the lee side on a reach. The boat already heeled with tight
sheets started going over. I quickly jumped on the side and hung my
feet basicly parrallel to the water as I watched the daggerboard
cutting the water at a 20 to 30 degree entrance. Fortunatley the
boat dropped back down on her bottom and I climbed back into the
boat in the process. My daughter asked, "I cant get on that side of
the boat whenever I want"? It didnt occur to me she didn't know that.
Bill I am sure you have had some great times in your light schooner.
I have already and she hasnt been on the water more than three
months. I am also a member of our local yachtclub (harbormaster
presently)and enjoy overtaking any of them with my schooner and
demanding the possession of thier vessle due to my personal
confession of being nothing more than a deadly pirate.
Our light schooner really does stir alot of attention, from other
boaters as well as joggers and cars passing on the roadways around
the lake. I have seen cars pull over just to watch the light scooner
sail. BP designed a stunning boat that turns the eyes of men, women
and children.
Fair winds,
Jim
Your story might be more typical than you know especially when
considering the light schooner.
I have found sailing solo could be less risky. So far I have taken
out 9 people sailing none with expierence. Fortunately only 2 of the
9 went to the lee side of the boat. At the formal launch my daughter
went to the lee side on a reach. The boat already heeled with tight
sheets started going over. I quickly jumped on the side and hung my
feet basicly parrallel to the water as I watched the daggerboard
cutting the water at a 20 to 30 degree entrance. Fortunatley the
boat dropped back down on her bottom and I climbed back into the
boat in the process. My daughter asked, "I cant get on that side of
the boat whenever I want"? It didnt occur to me she didn't know that.
Bill I am sure you have had some great times in your light schooner.
I have already and she hasnt been on the water more than three
months. I am also a member of our local yachtclub (harbormaster
presently)and enjoy overtaking any of them with my schooner and
demanding the possession of thier vessle due to my personal
confession of being nothing more than a deadly pirate.
Our light schooner really does stir alot of attention, from other
boaters as well as joggers and cars passing on the roadways around
the lake. I have seen cars pull over just to watch the light scooner
sail. BP designed a stunning boat that turns the eyes of men, women
and children.
Fair winds,
Jim
>to make it a more
> You have more nerve than me to go solo. I chose the lite schooner
> family event, but my seasoned crew has mutined and left forcollege.
>Mission Bay in San Diego
> You asked about sailing experiences, My wife's family grew up on
> and belonged to small boat yatch club racing sabots and Lido's, soI took out a took my
> brother-in-law saling one time. I thought had was just asexperienced like the rest of the
> family, only to find out when it was fairly calm till we got closeto the rocky shore, then the
> winds suddenly picked up to 25 - 35 mph gusts, and proving thatnot only does; "Calm
> seas does not a sailer make: but also that "crashing the boat doesnot a calm captain
> make".my coment: tighten the
>
> The conversation took a distintivly different tone his response to
> fore sheet so we tack off the rocks because a down wind turn willChinese jibb the main
> His response was:"you say that sailing stuff as if you think Iknow what you are taking
> about." At this point the expert sailing manuever looked alotlike a down wind power skid
> up against the rocks, except I was dropping the main to reef themain and clear the
> Chinese gibe, when the topping lift snagged to rocks and the boomwas pulled down on
> the cleats, so I cuttt the topping lifts and starting to hoist themain, the wind did the rest
> and filled the main enough to pull the gaff back over to the boomside. When it swung
> over and the full sail area inflated the center of boom wasresting on a cleat and broke in
> the middle.so we could linp back to
>
> I had him take the tiller, yeah that stick attached to the rudder,
> the dock a couple miles away on a close haul using the jib,foresail and the Staysail for a
> main. At this point, his version of the story seems to stray fromthe truth, because he has
> convinced himself that I repeatedly questioned his family lineage,because even him
> mother used to sail circles around the rest of sail boats whenthey were racing.
>slammed it against the dock,
> We didn't dammage the hull on the rocks, but rather when he
> because, he realized: " I guess it doesn't park like a car". Gofigure?
>better.
> Looking back on it, the concept of solo sailing is sounding alot
>
> Hope you have some smooth sailing: Bill Malone
You have more nerve than me to go solo. I chose the lite schooner to make it a more
family event, but my seasoned crew has mutined and left for college.
You asked about sailing experiences, My wife's family grew up on Mission Bay in San Diego
and belonged to small boat yatch club racing sabots and Lido's, so I took out a took my
brother-in-law saling one time. I thought had was just as experienced like the rest of the
family, only to find out when it was fairly calm till we got close to the rocky shore, then the
winds suddenly picked up to 25 - 35 mph gusts, and proving that not only does; "Calm
seas does not a sailer make: but also that "crashing the boat does not a calm captain
make".
The conversation took a distintivly different tone his response to my coment: tighten the
fore sheet so we tack off the rocks because a down wind turn will Chinese jibb the main
His response was:"you say that sailing stuff as if you think I know what you are taking
about." At this point the expert sailing manuever looked alot like a down wind power skid
up against the rocks, except I was dropping the main to reef the main and clear the
Chinese gibe, when the topping lift snagged to rocks and the boom was pulled down on
the cleats, so I cuttt the topping lifts and starting to hoist the main, the wind did the rest
and filled the main enough to pull the gaff back over to the boom side. When it swung
over and the full sail area inflated the center of boom was resting on a cleat and broke in
the middle.
I had him take the tiller, yeah that stick attached to the rudder, so we could linp back to
the dock a couple miles away on a close haul using the jib, foresail and the Staysail for a
main. At this point, his version of the story seems to stray from the truth, because he has
convinced himself that I repeatedly questioned his family lineage, because even him
mother used to sail circles around the rest of sail boats when they were racing.
We didn't dammage the hull on the rocks, but rather when he slammed it against the dock,
because, he realized: " I guess it doesn't park like a car". Go figure?
Looking back on it, the concept of solo sailing is sounding alot better.
Hope you have some smooth sailing: Bill Malone
family event, but my seasoned crew has mutined and left for college.
You asked about sailing experiences, My wife's family grew up on Mission Bay in San Diego
and belonged to small boat yatch club racing sabots and Lido's, so I took out a took my
brother-in-law saling one time. I thought had was just as experienced like the rest of the
family, only to find out when it was fairly calm till we got close to the rocky shore, then the
winds suddenly picked up to 25 - 35 mph gusts, and proving that not only does; "Calm
seas does not a sailer make: but also that "crashing the boat does not a calm captain
make".
The conversation took a distintivly different tone his response to my coment: tighten the
fore sheet so we tack off the rocks because a down wind turn will Chinese jibb the main
His response was:"you say that sailing stuff as if you think I know what you are taking
about." At this point the expert sailing manuever looked alot like a down wind power skid
up against the rocks, except I was dropping the main to reef the main and clear the
Chinese gibe, when the topping lift snagged to rocks and the boom was pulled down on
the cleats, so I cuttt the topping lifts and starting to hoist the main, the wind did the rest
and filled the main enough to pull the gaff back over to the boom side. When it swung
over and the full sail area inflated the center of boom was resting on a cleat and broke in
the middle.
I had him take the tiller, yeah that stick attached to the rudder, so we could linp back to
the dock a couple miles away on a close haul using the jib, foresail and the Staysail for a
main. At this point, his version of the story seems to stray from the truth, because he has
convinced himself that I repeatedly questioned his family lineage, because even him
mother used to sail circles around the rest of sail boats when they were racing.
We didn't dammage the hull on the rocks, but rather when he slammed it against the dock,
because, he realized: " I guess it doesn't park like a car". Go figure?
Looking back on it, the concept of solo sailing is sounding alot better.
Hope you have some smooth sailing: Bill Malone
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Jim Kessler" <jkess777@...> wrote:
>
> Hello all,
> I decided to try soloing the light schooner. The winds were 7-10
> knots. I started out slow with reefed main only. After getting a good
> feel for her and not needing to get on the rail I decided to raise the
> jib. It is amazing the added power the jib gives to this boat. Yet, I
> was still able to sail her without getting out on the rail.
> The high strung cabin cruisers were still staying with me so I decided
> to go full main. At that point nothing on the lake could keep up.
> I was getting thirsty and wanted a coke so decided to beach her at the
> beachhouse. On my local lake the beachhouse is a leeshore with
> pervailing winds.
> I sailed downwind with the dagger board up to beach her and walked to
> get a coke.
> To leave the beach I lowered the jib(will take you straight downwind
> with jib)and pushed off with an oar to drop the daggerboard. She
> happily clawed out with main only. Once clear of docks and the like I
> raised the jib.
> To date I have not used the foresail in solo sailing. But my
> considered rigging is a double block on the boom end with rope running
> to a bullnose cleat on the port in the horse postition. Then to a
> single block on the starboard deck also at the horse postion
> continueing by running the sheet through a fairlead aft ending with a
> camcleat positioned at a right angle to the boat centerline as to be
> used on either tack. This rigging would take the place of the horse
> and sheet during solo sailing. I would also add water ballast by means
> of pvc pipe filled with water on the chines forward and aft. This
> would give me around 200# of ballast.
> Wish me luck,
> Jim
>
Hello all,
I decided to try soloing the light schooner. The winds were 7-10
knots. I started out slow with reefed main only. After getting a good
feel for her and not needing to get on the rail I decided to raise the
jib. It is amazing the added power the jib gives to this boat. Yet, I
was still able to sail her without getting out on the rail.
The high strung cabin cruisers were still staying with me so I decided
to go full main. At that point nothing on the lake could keep up.
I was getting thirsty and wanted a coke so decided to beach her at the
beachhouse. On my local lake the beachhouse is a leeshore with
pervailing winds.
I sailed downwind with the dagger board up to beach her and walked to
get a coke.
To leave the beach I lowered the jib(will take you straight downwind
with jib)and pushed off with an oar to drop the daggerboard. She
happily clawed out with main only. Once clear of docks and the like I
raised the jib.
To date I have not used the foresail in solo sailing. But my
considered rigging is a double block on the boom end with rope running
to a bullnose cleat on the port in the horse postition. Then to a
single block on the starboard deck also at the horse postion
continueing by running the sheet through a fairlead aft ending with a
camcleat positioned at a right angle to the boat centerline as to be
used on either tack. This rigging would take the place of the horse
and sheet during solo sailing. I would also add water ballast by means
of pvc pipe filled with water on the chines forward and aft. This
would give me around 200# of ballast.
Wish me luck,
Jim
I decided to try soloing the light schooner. The winds were 7-10
knots. I started out slow with reefed main only. After getting a good
feel for her and not needing to get on the rail I decided to raise the
jib. It is amazing the added power the jib gives to this boat. Yet, I
was still able to sail her without getting out on the rail.
The high strung cabin cruisers were still staying with me so I decided
to go full main. At that point nothing on the lake could keep up.
I was getting thirsty and wanted a coke so decided to beach her at the
beachhouse. On my local lake the beachhouse is a leeshore with
pervailing winds.
I sailed downwind with the dagger board up to beach her and walked to
get a coke.
To leave the beach I lowered the jib(will take you straight downwind
with jib)and pushed off with an oar to drop the daggerboard. She
happily clawed out with main only. Once clear of docks and the like I
raised the jib.
To date I have not used the foresail in solo sailing. But my
considered rigging is a double block on the boom end with rope running
to a bullnose cleat on the port in the horse postition. Then to a
single block on the starboard deck also at the horse postion
continueing by running the sheet through a fairlead aft ending with a
camcleat positioned at a right angle to the boat centerline as to be
used on either tack. This rigging would take the place of the horse
and sheet during solo sailing. I would also add water ballast by means
of pvc pipe filled with water on the chines forward and aft. This
would give me around 200# of ballast.
Wish me luck,
Jim