Solo Sailing on a 90-Year-Old Gaff Rigged Boat: Hoisting and Lowering Sails

In this video, I demonstrate how to hoist four sails single-handed on my 90-year-old gaff rigged boat. You'll see the step-by-step process and techniques needed to manage the sails efficiently, including moments when no one is steering the boat. Afterward, I show how to take all the sails down safely. This guide is good for anyone interested in traditional sailing and single-handed sailing techniques.

[@markmuller8829]

Well done. I love traditional gaff rigged vessels and you are obviously very competent in this vessels operations. A lot of physical activity to keep you fit! It helps that traditional, heavy displacement, long keel boats steer themselves when under sail to some degree. This would be very difficult to do in a large modern, fin keeled, Cutter Ketch without the engine and auto pilot holding a course just a few degrees off the wind, because the vessel would round up or fall off instantly, depending which sail was hoisted first. I'm not taking anything away from your ability and skill - you do it well, under control and safely. Also, ignore the comment below regarding being "illegal & irresponsible". This is the internet and it attracts a lot of people making negative comments. I am a professional sailor, yachtmaster instructor and ex Maritime Officer - you performed the task safely and under control. You were constantly scanning the waterway 360 degrees keeping proper lookout and the sailing vessel that overtook you was the 'give way' vessel. Many sailors and powerboaters do not understand completely the ColRegs regarding 'right of way' - there is a hierarchy and blanket rules do not always apply! For example, Power gives way to Sail is the case in many scenarios but not when Overtaking, not in a designated shipping lane, not when a vessel is constrained by draught or restricted in maneuverability (usually large ships), not when commercial fishing boats are engaged in fishing, etc. Interestingly, a sailing vessel must give way to a power vessel it is overtaking. A lot of sailors don't know that. Anyway, I loved your video and I will keep an eye out for more videos from your channel.

[@Underbrownsails]

It is a pleasure to read your text that I do not dare to call for just a "comment". You sound much as our instructors when I learned navigation for D5L certificate (marine deck officer class 5). It is my first attempt to become visible on KZbin, so I am still sensitive to both positive and negative comments.

[@sumobear2031]

Really enjoyed watching this. You are a true sailor and handle your boat with such ease.

[@Underbrownsails]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@buddysimons5200]

Great Job! It is a pleasure watching you handle your boat. By the way - don't listen to the nay-sayers commenting negatively on your video, they obviously couldn't do what you can do.

[@seppoe]

Fine to see such responsible and careful sailing - you have the stuff very well in hand. I have had several different size boats and as always a good skipper takes the wind, other boats, waterway etc in consideration just as you do.

[@naignildoi826]

well done. takes me back .I have always sailed single handed. Keeps the brain in full power.

[@Winston_Smith]

Great stuff! I'm always on the outlook for single-handed sailing stories, tips, tricks... Thanks, looking forward for more!

[@Underbrownsails]

Thank you! More is coming...

[@PeterPan_was_here]

Nice to see, so much routine

[@Seafariireland]

I always loved being in command of a ship and having a well organised and safe way to “manage ship”, with practice it’s possible to do well but I am getting rusty now in mid life and an electric winch for the tougher jobs is really appealing! Looking forward to learning something new from you in future lessons. Fair sailing, SkipRay, Kenmare Bay, SW Ireland.

[@markalton2809]

I don't have sails on my home, so no worries.

[@philipgregory5392]

gaff rigged no winches no autopilot... nice job

[@roelant4914]

Awesome excercise! Great boat as well.

[@Underbrownsails]

We agree :)

[@joebloggs2862]

Keeping very fit, lovely workout.

[@Underbrownsails]

Thank you! 😊

[@sailingAlpa42]

I single-handed my Alpa 42 in the Gulf. The hardest part was manually reefing the mainsail when the wind picked up. There must be a way to do it single-handedly and safely during a storm. I still need to figure out how to do it.

[@Underbrownsails]

I agree with you. Just today, I was reefing on 2m waves while my daughter was steering. And it was nightger easy no totally safe. I wouldn't manage it solo when the waves are from behind. But on some wave directions it is feasible.

[@normanmerrill1241]

Good job…good learning,video…thanks

[@Underbrownsails]

Glad you liked it! We continue sailing and making more videos.

[@jimksa67]

wow CLASSIC!

[@agyemanboaten4385]

Lol only try this only at home not on your boat. Anyway great job. Greatly organised.

[@dirtbikeadv]

Nice work mate. What timbers is the boat made of I reckon I saw a little Huon Pine in the cabin. I notice you flying the Norwegian flag but is it a Norwegian built boat? There was a lot of Gaff rigged boats down here in Victoria and Tassie (Australia) so without seeing a side profile cannot see the style of boat. Thanks for sharing great videa. Subscribed!

[@Underbrownsails]

Thanks. It is the Norwegian built fishing cutter from 1935 uppgraded in 1972. More details here: www.atlantictours.net

[@ruslana.6559]

As an example of surviving alone: ​​super like! On such a heavy boat, you need full mechanization, or a dedicated orangutan sailor with quick reflexes, maximum obedience and knowledge of good seamanship. Mechanization is cheaper - bro!) Or a well-coordinated crew, or an orangutan sailor)

[@gerryleb8575]

Why aren't these halyards rigged with a block and pulley so the effort is decreased by one-third?

[@Underbrownsails]

Sure, throat halyard blocks give x3 effort and pick halyard x2 effort. I would say, the effort on throat is decreased by two-thirds minus some waste on friction.

[@peterrossiterrossiter3325]

It's surprising how much a drone makes a difference in these video's, people want to be able to see the boat your talking about just setting up cameras on deck does not show the boat as it is under sale.

[@andrewcolquhoun4007]

Hoist main in to the wind?

[@Underbrownsails]

Yes, it is always easier to hoist the main in to the wind. But when I am alone, it is difficult to make the boat go into the wind without turning dead into the wind and stopping. So, the boat decides, to some degree, how much in to the wind it will go.

[@frankstocker5475]

People drive cars solo, what's the problem?

[@dukeallen6562]

It was painful to watch you work so hard, single handed.

[@Underbrownsails]

No gym needed :)

[@vincent7520]

DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!…😃😁🤣

[@freddienh]

So afraid you might get hurt - but out there by yourself. Could be just horrible horrible horrible Get a cute able girlfriend!

[@richardrichard508]

So was it a drone filming on its own?

[@user-rn5jk3oh7u]

Silly Man

[@roybatty5796]

Pathetic comment

[@lewis7315]

Irresponsible, likely illegal. My experience is the ocean, much more coastal navigation is a very crowded place. Thing is, its only a matter of time before you are exhausted and dead asleep and your boat runs into another boat or is run down by a ship. The law says there has to be someone, a competent person, awake and on watch. Otherwise, your boat is a hazard to navigation and a danger to others.

[@Underbrownsails]

Solo sailing is not illegal. Every solo sailer has moments when he/she works with sails. At any moment, I am awake and on watch looking around. The boat is heavy and does not turn suddenly, so everything is under control at any time. I am very concerned about safety! I never do anything like this when I have any minor doubts about having enough space between me and other boats.

[@fibber2u]

That's put paid to MOST boating powered or otherwise around the world then, since at sometime the large majority will go solo.

[@pauljohnson9542]

@lewis7315 what nonsense

[@OCW301-79]

Someone is holding the camera...