6 Important Lessons I learned about Sailing Alone

[@juwright1949]

WHAT! Those solo 100 miles are HUGE. Congratulations and well done for having the courage to start a solo sailing adventure.

[@gerdzilla222]

For solo sailing an autopilot (tiller pilot) is absolutely recommended. Makes a lot of situations so much easier and more relaxed. For longer distances windvane steering is also very useful.

[@SailingInScotland]

At least get a budgie cord to keep the tiller in a setting. Windvanes are very expensive.

[@lubberwalker]

SailingInScotlandSailingInScotland aaahh come on Scottie, talk about tight. At least give him a bit more of a clue than "bungee"! (I've never heard of budgie cord). So to get the idea, search on "sheet to tiller" or "self steering" then go buy a selection of different length and strength bungees.

[@HasanWarrior]

Love your video. Thank you. I’m just getting into sailing. I appreciate your truthfulness.

[@TrailguidePictures]

Awesome! Thanks

[@Darin3Johnson]

Sounds like your halyard is slapping the mast. You might try attaching it to a padeye or handrail instead of the mast--your neighbors at marina, mooring or anchor will thank you. All the best in your adventures.

[@toddwever4916]

You beat me to that comment.

[@EldridgeRawls]

@@toddwever4916 Nothing is worse at the marina. so easy to fix...

[@jimmerrill5471]

May want to rethink your bilge routine. I feel it should always be on auto, hardwired with a cockpit alarm. If your main breaker blows and a thru hull or sensor gives out, you will be knee deep in 10 minutes.

[@goofy4birds]

I even leave mine on when dry docked. Even rain can sneak in and end up ruining the engine or something else.

[@laurenceholden]

One secret to self steering as you describe is experimenting with the sail balance between main and head sails ( how much of each) try putting a reef in the main, and various sizes of headsails.

[@kenlinnington4771]

Good on ya. What a great video. Thank you for sharing your experience. Cheers!

[@patrickdoyle6519]

Great video man. I learned the don't rush, don't be stupid lesson the hard way on my first attempt on my first sail, never even got it in the water before catastrophic failure. My best advice to you friend, not that you've asked for it, is never try to quantify a milestone. 100miles is a big deal, triple digits and you've learned so much. Sailor on!

[@charmer1979]

I always solo sail and the part I hate most is when its really rough and you have no one elses opinion but your own.

[@pedroredondo3713]

I recognize almost all the things you covered in this video. I bought my first sailboat 4 years ago and, has been a learning process ever since. Leaving an enter the marina was a big challenge, especially because the wind was sometimes from a different direction and like yours, my Mistral Scirocco 31 doesn’t like backing as well! But, over time I’ve learned the technique. I also began without autopilot and man… what a difference it was when I got a tiller pilot! Get one as soon as you possibly can… it will definitely improve your joy while on the water. Like you, I’ve learned so many things and I guess it would be a nice chat to compare experiences 😊. Enjoy your solo sailor life 😉

[@yahuchanon37]

It’s a long keeled boat, so when you balance the sails will keep it tracking. There’s a swedish rope system for holding the tiller that releases when you need it too. You can make it yourself. Online search😊

[@MatthewFelgate-r4u]

Think also with solo sailing especially, having a fail safe plan for when the motor dies at the wrong moment is good. Bow and kedge anchors ready, fenders, dock lines, sail ready to hoist.

[@OMIF1]

Traverse city area here. I have a 26 ft. Balboa and volunteer at the Maritime Heritage Alliance. Good content.

[@chrisv1674]

Boyne City here. Still learning on a 16 foot Wayfarer. Howdy neighbor.

[@Crowscratch_HauntedLibrary]

Thanks for sharing your experiences! Much appreciated.

[@alexforget]

For your engine: filter and filters again. Having a second tiny filter just before the carburetor fixed all the problems we had, carburetors have such tiny holes that are the cause of most of the problems. If you have an outboard, you can have two, one you use for your dinghy that serve as a backup for the big boat.

[@Hermes-t6z]

What ever situation you running into, it's experience you are getting which is great 😃 thanks for sharing 👍

[@rimasmeleshyus9486]

Congratulations, beautiful sailing ⛵️

[@arnihensen2854]

Keep a good log, have a good automatic bilge pump,by daylight read water, darker water is often active, inspect pump impellor annually, always plan every move when going forward, handrails and crawling allowed

[@thordlein9370]

Try the ”tiller lock” simple, fast and cheap. For those moment you need to go and get or fix something quick.

[@herfirstsail]

100 miles solo is mega! I’ve got a skipper license but I’ve not sailed a single mile alone, it would be so intimidating.

[@Grand-paws]

Congratulations young man

[@Tonecaster]

Thanks Jason!

[@longarmedone]

I'll second the recommendation on an electric tillerpilot. Its safer and takes away a major concern, heading. This lets you focus on sail balance and trim and learning your boat's handling characteristics. When solo, I always tether myself to the boat. The autopilot won't come back for you.

[@bowersish9489]

I'm always excited to see your videos, I was happy to find your channel as you began your sailing journey. working on sheet to tiller will make your day easier, make it a priority, no one wants to fight the tiller all day, that will wear you out quickly, get a thick cushion (4"+) and sit down my man, your cabin and cockpit always look spotless, never a coffee stain, dirty dish or discarded laundry to be seen, on land I can't relax with family to watch a movie together unless the dishes are done but when I'm on a passage I allow myself permission to let the space be workable but not perfect. Don't let perfection be a hurdle to progress is something I remind myself of, I believe in you and can't wait to see you south of 23⁰N What are your plans as winter approaches? Putting her on the hard to do work or heading south to warmer waters? Heading towards the ICW?

[@SurfBandFan]

One lesson I learned about single handing is that having a woman aboard is an essential although requiring a larger boat for the "extras"

[@Ironboots123]

I appreciate your thoughts because I’m planning to sail next summer as a new sailor.

[@SailingInScotland]

What was your reason for installing an outboard motor? I don't like carrying gasoline on a boat, too explosive! I even use a 80flb bison for my dinghy.

[@jack13210]

i only sail alone…. the main difference is that every manoeuver must be anticipated and prepared in advance …. on top of a fit sailor and a 100% working boat

[@SailingInScotland]

Sounds like you have learnt a lot in a short time. Take it from someone that has sailed for many years you'll learn something new every time you go out.

[@bowersish9489]

Thanks!

[@TrailguidePictures]

Thank you!!

[@Sailspirit99]

Re sunscreen in eyes, don’t put it on your forehead. Your sunhat or beanie should cover that area. But please do put it on your ear tops. New sub. Fair winds, Elaine

[@lubberwalker]

Serious note: Eyes - Water surface reflections far more than double the sun's harmful radiations. Get good shades (they aren't worn to look cool). Polaroid is an absolute must. Get back up pairs.

[@usefulcommunication4516]

I find Polaroids to be a pain as they black out LCD screens

[@lubberwalker]

@@usefulcommunication4516 only if you've fallen over or are lying down. Next time Polaroids appear aboard, look at your plotter normally, then turn them to 90° (as if you're lying down). One of those will show a black plotter, depending on "the (Polaroid) grain". Do the same looking through two pairs of Polaroids. When they are at right angles they block light and appear black. If they don't then one or both pairs aren't Polaroid. So in my brain. My Polaroids scan horizontally. If you're lucky enough to be old enough to remember them, think of cathode ray tubes and their 404 or 625 "raster" cycles. Wow. How'd your comment spawn THAT thought eh? I could go on about their dependencies on VHF and UHF switching..... and the logistical nightmare the architecture switchover posed, in 1963, to UK (in tandem with European) national infrastructures and TV manufacture and reaction of a public accustomed to their products lasting a lifetime, being told they'd need to replace their TV sets......but I won't digress. So horizontal lines block both downwards and upwards radiation (sea and sun). Like a venetian blind. Turn them 90° and you see the harmful up/down rays. Look thru 2 pair at 90° and with the combination of blocks you see nowt. Their endeth a lesson in how to see the world through old Bill's pseudoscience.

[@stevenschapera2888]

Can you please make a list and share it?

[@coneryj]

did u say michigan? so lake sailing? Was wondering why you never mentioned paying attention to the tides/current. Having to navigate rivers to a marina where the draft might be a concern at low tide.... Or plotting a course back to the harbor but you spent the day going east and when your trying to get back in, the tide changed and you've to got fight it and the wind.

[@NatTate-f7e]

What are your winter plans and if you are staying up there, how are you going to stay warm?

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

I’m not sure of your experience but number 1 should be many hours sailing with an experienced crew in a wide range of conditions.

[@NatTate-f7e]

I scraped inches of skin off my shin rushing while working on the boat.

[@ois-jy9kl]

😮

[@NatTate-f7e]

Wind burn? Sun burn? or both?

[@pg-mtl8815]

Look into sheet to tiller steering, poor man's autopilot.

[@danvitale1825]

what boat?

[@einarquay]

Canadian, eh?

[@korabadventures]

U were sailing?

[@angieguzman2325]

😮⛵️💙

[@jetman1968]

beginners mind… yup

[@lubberwalker]

I liked this vid. A present from the UK. Add this to the top of your checklist. Order: Stress Free Sailing - Single and Short Handed Techniques. It's 100% relevant to you and will give you lots to do learn to do to fill up your toolbox of skills and ideas, without being a course. It's also an entertaining and easy read. Bill