Re: [bolger] Single-handing a Chebacco
> I am somewhat older now :-( and am looking for a boat that is lessRalph,
> demanding that I could sail by myself sometimes or take out my
> grandchildren. That was why I started thinking about a ballasted
> boat
It sounds like a Micro might fill your needs. All the safety, easy to
single hand, and great for the kids with its high freeboard.
Just my unbiased two cents, Stan, Snow goose.
The boat is safe in more severe conditions than I am comfortable in. I've
been caught in a gale and sailed home under 2 reefs, mizzen stowed. I wasn't
comfortable, I was hungry, late, cold and wet. I prefer conditions to be
hot, sunny, wind under 12 kt, sea 2 ft or less, with lots of sandwiches and
a cold beer.
Chebacco single-hands well. It can be balanced in most conditions. I have
added a tiller-comb and a bowsprit, which help acheiving balance. I haven't
got it to self-steer consistently, but there is rarely a problem leaving the
helm for 30 seconds, such as while you look for the boathook. I've never
found crew to be essential.
Cheers;
Fraser Howell
Ralph Wight wrote:
been caught in a gale and sailed home under 2 reefs, mizzen stowed. I wasn't
comfortable, I was hungry, late, cold and wet. I prefer conditions to be
hot, sunny, wind under 12 kt, sea 2 ft or less, with lots of sandwiches and
a cold beer.
Chebacco single-hands well. It can be balanced in most conditions. I have
added a tiller-comb and a bowsprit, which help acheiving balance. I haven't
got it to self-steer consistently, but there is rarely a problem leaving the
helm for 30 seconds, such as while you look for the boathook. I've never
found crew to be essential.
Cheers;
Fraser Howell
Ralph Wight wrote:
> Lots of good answers to my previous question on "Safety of ballasted
> vs. unballasted open boats". I have another question, that actually
> is related, for the Chebacco owners.
>
> What are the most severe conditions (wind speed, wave height) that
> you
> feel comfortable in single-handing the Chebacco?
>
> A little background on why am interested and why I asked the first
> question about ballasted open boats: For a number of years I owned a
> boat that was similar to the Chebacco in some ways. It was an open,
> unballasted boat with a 155 sq. ft. gaff sail (cat rig, not a yawl
> like Chebacco). At anything above about 8-10 knots it required one
> other experienced person as crew- one person on the tiller and one on
> the mainsheet. Also, two people helped when reefing was needed. The
> added ballast of an addtional crew was also a benefit.
>
> I am somewhat older now :-( and am looking for a boat that is less
> demanding that I could sail by myself sometimes or take out my
> grandchildren. That was why I started thinking about a ballasted
> boat
> although I like the Chebacco (have for years).
>
> Ralph Wight
>
>
>
> Bolger rules!!!
> - no cursing
> - stay on topic
> - use punctuation
> - add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts
> - add some content: send "thanks!" and "ditto!" posts off-list.