Life is Like Sailing - Single Handed Spinnaker Sailing

[@donjvalley]

I have fighting cancer for 5yrs and you have a Westsail 42. Congrats. I still watch Sail lfe, as well...

[@kamilkutlay]

easy to understand basic manevour for spinnaker. Best video for cruiser .

[@robinbarrett6671]

Still the best sailing videos on KZbin.

[@lifeislikesailing]

So glad you enjoy them! :)

[@normanboyes4983]

Alfie that was impressive on all levels, the demonstration, instruction, explanation and all while filming using some great camera angles. Great scenic backdrop too.👍

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@BobbieGWhiz]

It’s so refreshing to have a sailing channel discussing sailing. As a novice, I find this very helpful and interesting. I wish there was more of this. Thanks much.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed this episode! I agree that there are not a lot of videos out there that actually talk about sailing techniques. :)

[@bigroundwatermelon6456]

I like how you try too be so careful to explain yourself, you are a good teacher, don't care what other say

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you! :)

[@sstem2169]

You always make everything look so easy! Your videos are amazingly educational, easy to understand, and easy to watch. A great combination of information and entertainment. THANKS for doing what you do!!!

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you so much and so glad you enjoy these types of videos! Stay tuned for more!! :)

[@Pucho57]

This is the kind of instructional video that I enjoy the most. Excellent explanation and repeated procedures to help fully understand the technique. I appreciate the perfect video angles and the clear audio, and as others pointed out, the beautiful scenery. Well done. Thanks so much for creating this video and sharing with all sailors out there.

[@lifeislikesailing]

So glad you enjoyed this instructional episode!

[@tWoforgamenot1]

nice to be here with you ! :)

[@mikewoodford8208]

"Only 16,000 subscribers" You deserve much, much more and I, for one, will do my best to encourage new people to discover your wonderful channel. Carry on.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thanks so much! I can use all the help I can get so much appreciated!! :)

[@steedharold]

A great instructional video conducted with beautiful scenery as a backdrop.Thank you.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and it sure is great to be sailing in such a beautiful place!

[@battendown7409]

Greetings from Ottawa! Wish I could splash our boat watching you sail is the next best thing. Thank you!

[@lifeislikesailing]

So glad you enjoyed coming along and I hope you can get your boat back in the water soon!!

[@wilfdarr]

Thanks for taking the time to show this. When I get my next boat, I know my wife won't always be there, so this is a big boost to the dream of sailing a bigger boat by myself (last boat was an oversized, gaff rigged, dinghy really) Thanks again.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Glad you enjoyed it and I hope you'll be able to get out for some spinnaker sailing on a larger sailboat! :)

[@denise2169]

WoW! I thought this was the BC coast! So beautiful!

[@arcturusarcturus1552]

Well done Alfy , you have inspired me to set up and use the old triradial spinnaker that came with our boat, thanks !

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you! I hope you will give it a try and I hope it goes well for you! :)

[@peterlosangelos4108]

Nice instruction all by your own from all angles.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and glad you enjoyed it!

[@53glowe]

Beautiful weather. Great teaching video and your boat is always looking immaculate. I enjoy your channel...there is always something to learn. Well done👍

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed coming along and learning a thing or two! :)

[@justcruisin109]

Very well paced and thorough explanation so thanks - I learned a lot from your video.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@billbruce5528]

Thank you for the excellent spinnaker instructional guide. Hard to believe you were out there in March.

[@lifeislikesailing]

You are welcome and so glad you enjoyed coming along for some March sailing!

[@jackschneiberg5644]

Great instructional video I really enjoy your step by step explanation.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it!

[@CaptMarkSVAlcina]

Hi Alfie, I Did not think about moving the spinnaker pole down to make the sail like a head sail,what a great idea . You can also use lazy lines on each side, so what you do is let go of the sheet move the pole to the other side and with the other lazy sheet hook it on ,now used that to bring the pole around. By using the lazy sheet you don't have to try and fight the guy .you just pick up the lazy one and of you go.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Yes, that was a tip I learned many years ago and it really increases the range of the spinnaker. :) Although I have never used double sheets and guys, I have heard they are great so I hope to try that set up one day! :)

[@freerkottema]

Great job and sublime teacher. Love 🇨🇦

[@lifeislikesailing]

So glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@donb4386]

Excellent explanation, very well presented.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you!

[@RobertSprockeels]

Wow! Excellent demonstration! I enjoyed it a lot and am now tempted to try it myself 😁

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and if you have light winds it might be worth a try! A lot of people are intimidated by the spinnaker, but it really isn't so bad. ha

[@JBattler]

Thank you sir..great relaxed simple to the point and good camera angles, good audio - wow!...cheers.

[@lifeislikesailing]

You are welcome and so glad you enjoyed this demonstration!

[@michaelvanwinkle7919]

Great job soloing with a spinnaker! The instruction was very clear.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it!

[@gregcurrie982]

Nice demo Alfie. You managed to capture it all from different camera angles. Well done.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and glad you enjoyed it!

[@terrencebradley5417]

The best video on flying a spinnaker that I have run across. Also the map at the end is a very nice and thoughtful touch. I have never flown a spinnaker and there are times when I wish I had the nerve to attempt it. But I single hand 95% of the time. Were I to try it I can see a really great Chinese fire drill happening on board! Only seven more weeks and I head back to Whidbey Island, wake up my boat and head North!

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it!! I'd say if you are going to give it a try just do it in light air, not much to worry about in those kind of conditions and if it doesn't work out so well at least it was in light air. ha I hope that the next 7 weeks go fast for you!! :)

[@floodgatestudios1825]

Thank you so much for the hard work you put into your videos! I learned a lot! And I'm grateful for the clean audio! So many people put loud music in background and you can't hear their voices and it's distracting. The sound of your voice, the wind and the waves are plenty for me!

[@lifeislikesailing]

You are welcome and so glad you enjoyed this one. It was a lot of fun making it so I am glad others can enjoy!

[@terrywilliams6923]

Great video and very well explained. Always enjoy your videos.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you enjoy the videos!!

[@RichieKeane]

Really well made and confidence building video.. make more!!

[@Choppermurman]

That was an outstanding explanation and demonstration Alfie. Thank you for sharing it with us all. There is noting like spinnaker sailing. I have aways been just a bit afraid to fly it myself. Thank you for showing the way, and giving me the confidence perhaps to give it a try ,,,,,,, in LIGHT air of course.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it! Some are intimidated by the spinnaker and I hope I was able to show that it is not such a scary sail to use! Trying it in light air leaves lot so room for safety! :)

[@richardjones167]

Very interesting and informative. It gave me the confidence to give my spinnaker a try singlehanded on my C&C33 MK 1 .

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it! Good luck with trying it on your 33! :)

[@JohnnyJohnson2136]

WOW I didn't even know you could single hand a spinnaker, well done!

[@lifeislikesailing]

Oh yes, not so difficult really! Some people are intimidated by the spinnaker so I hope this showed that it is not such a scary sail. ha

[@JohnnyJohnson2136]

I wish I could give you two thumbs up :)

[@mattphillips9107]

Perfect, thank you for taking the time to make this video 👍

[@lifeislikesailing]

You are welcome and so glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@squallymaelstrom5130]

Clean and clear. Thank you.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@HawkeyeFlyer]

Wow! Those are the kinda days you live for . . .

[@lifeislikesailing]

They sure are!!

[@carlosazevedo4139]

Good job, really useful and clear demonstration, thanks for sharing fair winds mate

[@rickczainski9734]

You made it look easy Alfie. My goal i s to get my spinnaker flying this year! Thanks for the motivation.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you! I hope you get the spinnaker out of the bag for sure! :)

[@graeme-sailingskeptic]

Alfie that's really impressive solo sail handling skills. Thanks for the video.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it!

[@petercooke2115]

Pleasure to watch and very inspiring to have a crack on my new bigger boat Apart from the sense of achievement and pleasure flying it,how many knots gained do you think in those conditions? Thanks for posting

[@lifeislikesailing]

Definitely a fun sail to fly and so many variables to measure the speed advantage you get, but I can say for sure that you will have a downwind speed gain with this sail vs white sails. :)

[@arpaial]

Excellent video

[@argonwheatbelly637]

Beautiful!!! FW&FS!

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you!

[@DougRutherford1]

Well done Alfie, remember one of your first videos on symetrical spinnakers. This one went far more smoothly. The one sail most single handers dread as things can go wrong so quickly. I too love the challenge of single handing. Big thumbs up

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you! I remember that older video. haha I agree that many people are intimidated by the spinnaker and I hope that I was able to show that it can be done single handed. :)

[@CraigOverend]

Really interesting seeing the process, and well filmed, I haven't found many sailing videos that show the actual sailing process as well as you did, thanks! However not being a sailer I'll have to watch it again to understand more of the lingo you used. :)

[@lifeislikesailing]

So glad you enjoyed this type of videos and I hope it wasn't too confusing with the wording used. :)

[@jorgeconcheyro]

Wow Alfy thanks, I really needed this... So wonderfull... Brave man!!!!

[@lifeislikesailing]

You are more than welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@tWoforgamenot1]

so love Moonshine!

[@scottflicksailing5275]

Great job Alfie. I really enjoyed the different camera angles. Great exclamation of Jibing your spinnaker.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it!!

[@flynlionrr]

Hey Alfie, haven"t checked on you in a bit. Your videos have really gotten great!

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and welcome back and hope you enjoy some of the episodes you missed. :)

[@grahamlongley8298]

We always tell the crew to stand BEHIND the pole at all times NOT infront of it. Also the halyard led back to the cockpit rather than on the mast makes it easier to recover the chute under the boom & into the hatch. Better in a safer environment

[@ArcticSeaCamel]

Great video and explanation. I just wonder if gennaker would be easier single handed? Fixed spot at the bow and one sheet on either side. Gybe is just matter of releasing one and tightening the another.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and for sure a gennaker is easier to use. I may do a video about that sail in the future to show the difference. I just wanted to show people that a spinnaker can be sailed single handed as some are intimidated by it. :)

[@USMCCGAGNG]

Nice job and great instruction! Thank you. 🐬

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it!

[@blessed885]

👍Nice clip I felt the cold breeze from Tacoma so felt bit at home I want to thank my mother of my child God rest her soul (peacefully resting) all it took was one argument that's the day I learned how to in action solo sail now that my life is in a limit now I'm selling trading EVERYTHING and living out my days on the water was nice to see another Northwests Best be blessed 🙏🌬️💨⛵🤙

[@jorgepastoriza7713]

Thank you for this excellent video.

[@lifeislikesailing]

You are welcome and so glad you enjoyed it!

[@tedceelen2961]

Well done, I may have try flying my spinnaker by myself this coming summer

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and I hope you give it a try! :)

[@914va]

Great video brother! enjoyed it.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it!!

[@kurtism9040]

How active was the autohelm during the jibe? I'm wondering if you would do a jibe with a tiller lock device, like a tiller clutch or such tie off, or only with a course correcting autohelm.

[@sonofneptunesailing917]

Thank you for the Video! That was great instruction...

[@jeongsookim1433]

Wow You live in prince rupert. Beautiful town. What will happen if make to furl symmetrical spinnaker? I am trying to do .

[@dennismacdonald2003]

Very informative ty Alfy I single hand most time myself

[@lifeislikesailing]

Glad you found this one informative. Nice to know there are other single handed sailors out there! :)

[@JBattler]

Great Video and explanation...simple, direct, no weird music etc..Thank you. I have a 40 ft ketch that I single-hand most of the time. I am about to add a spinnaker and have never sailed with one before. When you gybe, could you lower the pole on the mast to reduce the awkwardness of having to connect the pole so high up (overhead)?..or is it pretty well all held controllable by the downhaul and topping lift? Another question...is the end for end a lot easier than just switching one end? Thanks for your efforts on our behalf.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Glad you enjoyed this episode. The pole height at the mast is adjustable. The common though is that the higher the pole, the better the wind. I have my pole height set for a comfortable level for me to manage so I would suggest you do that as well. Some poles can be switched end for end and others can be used as a dip pole, meaning the end at the mast is raised to allow the front end of the pole to 'dip' just inside the forestay. Usually this is done with larger poles. Good luck with your spinnaker! Alfy

[@WakeforMe]

Hi Alfy, nicely done as always.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you!

[@nomadequipment2177]

Saw my soon to be cruising waters on Windfinder yesterday. 5knots, lol. Is it any wonder I'm here?🤣 thanks for the video, Alfie (Alfy?)

[@lifeislikesailing]

Glad you enjoyed it and hope you get out on the water soon!

[@Mark-wz4ez]

I'll be working on that technique this summer. So, thank you for the great example Alfie. As always, your videos are fun and informative. From Alaska, S/V Merry Dancer

[@lifeislikesailing]

You are welcome and glad you enjoyed the videos! Good luck with the spinnaker! :)

[@WaterFaucet24]

Great video...Nice to see some sailing (instead of motoring in the rain) 😬

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it! I'm glad I could get out some sailing in the sun too! :)

[@ocxb]

Nice going with the light air gybes

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thanks!

[@jchase5408]

Thanks for the step-by-step for single handers! Spinnaker sailing is the one area that I'm still pretty intimidated by. I have a symmetrical spinnaker that I sometimes use like an asymmetrical, with a connection that I made for the tack that goes around the furled headsail,... it works, but definitely not how a symmetrical was designed to fly!

[@lifeislikesailing]

You are welcome and glad you enjoyed it! I know that the spinnaker intimidates some people so I wanted to show everyone that it is not such a scary sail to use. ha

[@01ariti]

Great video again Alfie, might be the camera angle, does your inner shroud on the port side flex when close hauled as there looks to be some movement in it at 1:25-30. Simon

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it Simon. Yes the leeward stays are a bit lose when sailing.

[@GeorgeGraves]

I picked up some tricks! The worst is when the spinker gets in the water and you're pulling on a small swimming pool size of water to get it out....had that happen once on a racing boat off the coast of Santa Barbara during a round up/knock down. It wasn't pretty.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Glad you pick up a couple things! I agree that getting the spinnaker wet is no fun at all, but combined with a knock down is even worse!

[@allgaeumichel]

Well done, man! Next time I will try single handed, too.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and I hope you have fun giving it a try! :)

[@fredrikolsson.]

Very good and informative!

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@Al.W7263]

Really enjoyed your video. Thanks.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and glad you enjoyed it!

[@Nordener720]

Great demonstration thank you

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and you are welcome! :)

[@peterlosangelos4108]

Suggestion for an episode. What are your thoughts on using ais or sat plb? Wearing a lifejacket? When sailing alone or with company. The cold watertemp near you. And all variations of these combined.

[@lifeislikesailing]

All good ideas and I'll try to fit them in on future episodes. :)

[@CawffeeTyme]

Alfie, is it better toi have a spinnaker for downwind sailing, or a gennaker especially when single handing? I woulod think a gennaker would be better as you wouldn't really have to worry about a pole.....just sheets.

[@lifeislikesailing]

I gennaker is definitely easier and I use one often when single handing the boat. I think the spinnaker is a better sail, but more work for sure. I just wanted to show everyone that you can single hand a spinnaker as a lot of people are intimidated by it. :)

[@struggleboy]

An Asym (gennaker) is definitely easier to handle, but just like a genny it gets blanketed by the main when going deep downwind. The pole on the sym chute allows you to go deep downwind without going wing/wing.

[@AddiFlash]

Just discovered your channel, im amazed I didnt stumble upon it earlier! Great content

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and so glad you found our channel! I hope you enjoy some of the other episodes! Alfy & Devlin

[@Tf9500]

Thanks! Very educational. That looked like a perfect day to put up the spinnaker alone, how much wind speed can the spinnaker take before it’s unsafe?

[@lifeislikesailing]

Glad you enjoyed it and it sure was a nice day! I usually look at boat speed and how it is handling to determine time to take it down. Once the boat is staying above 9knots I usually take it down.

[@w.mozart3048]

Well done!! Good seamanship.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you!

[@danielmandiola720]

Thank you. Great explanations and images.

[@DobDog151]

Great video, loved the instructional nature of it. I don’t have a spin on my boat, but was sailing with a friend and he says to keep the pole at 90 degrees to the wind. Is that how you fly it, or do you have another way of deciding the angle of the pole while sailing it?

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and I usually keep the pole 90 degrees to the wind. :)

[@edmilsonsilva7283]

This is remarkable! Congratulations! You doing marvelous.

[@bill4nier]

All very nicely done!! 😍⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵😊👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you!!! :)

[@jamesc7432]

Great sail, you ever use a sail sock to make handling easier?

[@lifeislikesailing]

It sure was and I have sock for my gennaker sail and it sure make it easier. I like to keep my spinnaker clean without one. :)

[@burnsnight1]

Great video. where is this? I have a few questions. I noticed you had a life jacket but did you use safety lines? If so how do you move around with them? Do you have any other safety gear? What if you fall overboard? Not a sailor but curious about single handing. What is the best boat for this? Sorry lots of questions. maybe some int he comments could answer them for me?

[@lifeislikesailing]

Glad you enjoyed this episode and yes I have jack lines that I am hooked into when going forward. I have an older episode that explains the jack lines in detail.

[@wilfdarr]

"A spinnaker is a symmetrical sail..." Amen! Preach it brother! 😉

[@lifeislikesailing]

haha, glad you enjoyed it!

[@LOVEDOMINATES]

Have you used an Asymmetric sail?

[@kenpole3058]

Good evening from Ottawa, Alfy. What size is the self-trailer on your mast? Cheers.

[@lifeislikesailing]

It is a Barient 19 - 2 speed self tailing.

[@kenpole3058]

Tnx. Self “trailer” indeed! ⛵️

[@PrecisionSailLoftVictoria]

Great Job Alfy! Have ever used a spinnaker sock? It would make dowsing solo much easier.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you! I have a sock for my gennaker sail and for sure it is so easy to take the sail down with it!

[@garyharyett5776]

Great video Alfie. When are you taking us for halibut?

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it! I'd love to get out for some more halibut! ha

[@gjpenaloza]

Smooth. I need to practice this one. Thanks!

[@joemamaurmama]

Well done. Beautiful boat too. I recognize it as a C&C as I sail our 1973 30 MK1. Please tell us about your yacht.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and nice to hear you also have a C&C - Great boats! The specs are on my website www.lifeislikesailing.com and if you browse the videos you can find lots of info about the boat. :)

[@alanmorris7634]

I finished watching three of your videos on spinnaker sailing. Best I’ve seen so far. I have a C&C 27-5 and My wife and I have yet to set this sail however I have a little bit more confidence now that I know what to do. It looks like I may have to purchase two snatch blocks though?

[@lifeislikesailing]

So glad you enjoyed this episode! It really is a sail that can be managed easily if you have a plan in place and a good understanding of how it is all set up. I use the snatch blocks as the boat is a bit beamy, but some people run the lines directly to the block furthest aft. The snatch block helps prevent the lines from crossing and putting pressure onto the life lines.

[@ericantrim7119]

Very nice. It’s snowing here in Juneau. :(

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thanks! I hope the snow melts soon for you!

[@wsrjarapjumping.worldsbest8603]

Super cool.

[@sailorgeer]

Nicely done, I’ve never been brave enough to fly my chute while singlehanding, but maybe after watching this I’ll try it in light airs :) Thats a great tip about centering the main. One important thing you didn’t mention is that you had autopilot on to steer a straight course while you are on deck. I don’t have autopilot but I do have a wind vane for self steering. The Prince Rupert scenery is spectacular, especially on a sunny day! I’ve been there for work many times and always wanted to sail there. Make you a deal: I’ll take you sailing in Vancouver on my Beneteau 31 if you take me out in PR ;)

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thanks and it really isn't too difficult in lighter conditions. :). Yes, having the auto helm is important. Nice you have been to Prince Rupert and we love it there, although we aren't living there anymore. We will be back eventually to live and cruise the area again, but right now we have our sailboat on Vancouver Island and we have purchased a 1979 Has Christian 43 ketch so watch out for us on s/v Northern Dancer V. :)

[@dalebuckley6073]

Oh, to be young and fit again !!

[@lifeislikesailing]

I don't always feel that way! haha

[@captgrant]

Great Video. Do you leave the main up when not directly downwind?

[@lifeislikesailing]

Thank you and glad you enjoyed it. :) Yes the main stays up.

[@kevinparker7953]

Dilithium Crystals Are you fucking stupid? The main was deployed on all points of sail throughout the entire video. Maybe watch the video again and rethink your question. Dumbass.

[@captgrant]

You sir are offensive and should refrain from using the internet for any reason. Maybe learn the English Language to better understand punctuation and syntax regarding a legitimate question. This, being my reply, is a lowering of standards and will be the last in that regard. I'm sure Alfy, finding a family audience and well mannered patrons the norm, will probably retort in his own fashion.

[@kevinparker7953]

And perhaps you, D.C., should refrain from using the keyboard until such time as you grow a brain. Sorry if the truth hurts your delicate ego.

[@kevinparker7953]

Dilithium Crytals So now you're going to run and hide behind a thin layer of supposed intellect and pompasity and rely on Alfy to fight your battle for you? You're a sorrier specimen than I first thought. Thanks for bringing me up to speed. Face it D.C., you made a dumb comment. Live with it. Alfy and I have traded comments since a couple years ago when I first subscribed. If he wants to blast me for calling a spade a spade, so be it. Unlike you, I can take the heat and unlike you, I sign my real name to my comments and opinions. I piss on your standards. Fuck you D.C.

[@iankim3953]

this is awesome lesson thank you

[@lifeislikesailing]

You are welcome and so glad you enjoyed it!

[@richardkerby5311]

Thank you, very much appreciated.

[@lifeislikesailing]

You are welcome and so glad you enjoyed it!

[@whitefields5595]

Put the pole end on your shoulder and stand with the mast between you and the pole end. That way if the pole goes wild it goes away from you and does not hit you in the face. Plus the mast acts as a shield. Push it unto the mast from off your shoulder. Good video.

[@lifeislikesailing]

Glad you enjoyed this episode. :)