First solo sail tomorrow

Posted by Lee426@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 33 comments

I'm taking my Catalina 22 out solo for the first time tomorrow and I'm a little nervous. I took a short class last summer and a few outings with friends. Tomorrow will be the first time the boat has been in the water this year. I think I have everything prepared. I have both halyards and a jib downhaul ran to the cockpit. I ran the outboard the other day and it started up fine. I don't have reefing lines rigged yet. My boat and sail are setup for them, but I haven't done it yet. I may do that tomorrow, but I really don't think it will be needed. Winds are supposed to be 9kts with gusts to 13. Any advice?

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Gloomy_Complex5723@reddit

Definitely reef. You can always shake it out later if you want but putting it in when the boat is overpowered is difficult by yourself. Why make your first solo sail more difficult than needed?

I sail on a Catalina 22 multiple times per month on the SF Bay and we almost always need to reef during the summer months.

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Intelligent-Salt-362@reddit

If you have a roller furling maybe run a little on main only to get comfortable. Even if you don’t, a quick head to wind and a hank on jib goes up quick. I ran a bungee from my bow to the forward (center) cleat to tuck my (non furling) jib under until I am ready to deploy. What do you have in the way of Lazy Jacks? The issue I struggle the most with when soloing is lowering/flaking the main so it isn’t all over the deck while motoring into the marina. Stay safe and have fun!

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ElectricNoodle12@reddit

How'd it go??

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Lee426@reddit (OP)

I'm ashamed to admit it didn't go. I had a flat tire on the trailer when I got there and by the time I had that sorted the threat of thunderstorms scared me off.

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chrisxls@reddit

Now you’re a real boat owner! Random piece of gear you weren’t event thinking about reaches up and gets ya! Welcome to the club and get out there soon!

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mikesailin@reddit

Rig jacklines and wear a harness. A PFD will do you no good if you find yourself in the water with your boat happily sailing away from you.

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waterfreak5@reddit

Have a fantastic time!

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dravideditor@reddit

Keep an anchor and line IN THE cockpit, just in case.

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LuckyErro@reddit

Always have reefing lines set- always

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Raneynickelfire@reddit

Not on a C22, no.

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LuckyErro@reddit

Why do you say no? I regularly sail on a little 24 ftr and we often have a first reef set with the number 2 jib and when it blew up on a longish return leg a couple years ago (34-40knots and a horrible sea state) had two reefs in and a number 3 jib. That would of been downright dangerous with full canvas up and looking to break stuff.

I sail in the roaring 40's though so it may be different where you are but id rather the boat set up to shorten sail quickly rather than have to much about running reefing lines when the boats over powered and waves are crashing on the boat.

I sail on a few boats in a club with a lot of experienced ocean racers and i cannot think of a boat that doesn't have reefs set even for an afternoon race. Seems to be inviting trouble and delaying shortening sail when needed. More canvas doesn't always mean a faster boat especially into the wind.

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Mehfisto666@reddit

The first boat i bought was from a racer who said "i didn't rig the 2nd reef cause when you need a second reef you shouldn't be out anyway".

I was like "huh?"

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Raneynickelfire@reddit

There is no 2nd reef in a C22 and you'll never ever need the 1st reef.

It's just more line that you don't need. You don't need to reef the main on a C22.

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Mehfisto666@reddit

I have no idea smallest boat I've sailed was a 28ft

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torenvalk@reddit

Listen to this wisdom. The predictions are never perfect and this is a tool in your toolbox you don't want to be without . Of if maybe the wind is a little too much for yi, you can always reef and go a bit slower and more stable. Put in the reefs

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KuivaPorkkana@reddit

Or if maybe the wind is a little too much for you, you can always reef and go a bit slower and more stable.

This and once the boat has reached its hull speed any extra sail only increases the heel.

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OceanWheels@reddit

If you get in trouble just depower the sail / head upwind and think it thru. 👍

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bentTine@reddit

I single hand all the time on my Catalina 36. My advice is just to take your time and sail conservatively. Reef early and know how to drop sails quickly in an emergency. Wear your PFD with a waterproof VHF and knife attached. Lastly, have fun! You got this!

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Powerful_Bluebird347@reddit

And some sort of signaling device. Also water n snacks! You’ll have a great time.

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Mehfisto666@reddit

And beer for when you get to port or anchor at the end of the day!

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Pitch_Aware@reddit

You can do it. Like they said before, reef early! It’s always easier to shake out a reef, than put one in. Opens up a whole new world.

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deleted_by_reddit@reddit

[removed]

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we-otta-be@reddit

You’ll look back on this day in a year and reminisce how scared you were and you’ll be proud to consider all the confidence you’ve built since then.

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Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit

This is how all good memories stick with ya. Well said

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IvorTheEngine@reddit

Don't pee off the boat. If you fall off, there's no one to come back and pick you up. Use a bucket if you don't want to go below.

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Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit

Or a harness

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johnbro27@reddit

Do you know how to de-power without reefing? If in doubt, let it out. You can luff the main to take heeling force out of the boat, if you have a big gust and the boat gets tippy, dump the main sheet.

In dinghies, I learned (from Dad---never took a sailing course) to always just hold the main sheet so you could pop it out of the cleat in a big gust. I don't remember how the C22 is rigged (only rented one once years ago) but you should be able to ease the main quickly if things get a little scary. Also, heaving to is a great skill.

I used to single hand our 45 all the time, but of course I had an autopilot, which makes it possible. It's a great way to learn how to sail as you really have to build some self-reliance.

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MackJantz@reddit

I think it will be a cam cleat positioned right above the tiller. Pretty easy to have mainsheet in hand with the tiller also

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Ninja_Wrangler@reddit

Nice! I took my Catalina 22 out solo for the first time 2 weekends ago and it was crazy! 20-25knot winds was a hell of a first experience

It was a little scary but the only way to get experience is to get experience! The trickiest part for me was staying pointed into the wind while trying to drop the main.

Good luck and have fun!

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Mehfisto666@reddit

Idk if it works on smaller boats but on my 34ft cruiser i learnt to reef off the wind and it's been a game changer.

On my 28ft i used to heave-to to reef the main, especially in rough sea. I think that could work to drop it all the way too

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