Solo Sailer

Hello Everyone,
I'm new this season and I have a question on loading and unloading at a boat launch. I'm finding out it's had to find a crew that wants to sail where and as often as I would like to. Here is where I need some advise. There is a boat launch in L.I. Sound that has large rocky shore on both sides of a cement launch. Does anyone have any idea's on what to do with my boat when I go to park my truck and when I come in to get my truck. The launch is in a nice location and the water is going to get cold soon so I would hate to have to moor and swim in. There is another launch about 25 miles away with a dock but not sure how to tie up the boat without any cleats. I am thinking of putting some on but I'm not sure the best spot to put them in and I hate to have to drill holes in the boat. Any advise would be great, I'm going solo next weekend
Thanks, Mark

Hi mark,
I use the most forward eye at the bow of the boat. The line stays attached when I sail and its lead back to the base of the mast when its not in use so it doesn't drag in the water as I sail. I don't use a stern line but you could make a line to the hiking strap bracket at the stern of the boat. There's a hole in that bracket you could run a line through. Just my thoughts.

Hi Richard,
Thanks for your input I'll give it a try this weekend. Any idea's on keeping a 1st mate.

Mark

I have a similar setup where I sail but the locations are not so far apart. I think you have to use the ramp with the dock.

I keep a line secured to the front as well. I also keep a short length of line (about 2 ft) attached to the shroud and loose in the cockpit. When I come to the dock the first thing I do is secure the boat to a cleat on the dock using this line since it is close to where I am sitting. Then I get out of the boat and secure it with the line at the bow. Depending on conditions I either release the line at the shroud or keep it secure.

One of the other challenges you will have is to get the boat back on the trailer. If there is a cross breaze this is nearly impossible because by the time you get to the front of the trailer to use the winch you will find the boat has moved off the trailer and blown sideways. If anyone has any good ideas for this particularly acrobatic move, please suggest them.

Hi Paul,
I hope this doesn't sound stupid but what is the shroud. I was going to use the cam for the jib line to hold a boat fender and use the bow line. When I got home yesterday I checked my stern bracket for the strap and it doesn't have a hole on the top but there is an eye hook just below it. Don't know if it is suppose to be there or not but will work with a hook on the end of a line. For the acrobatic move I found that if I don't drive the trailer in to deep that the boat is trapped by the bunk boards? I think they are called bunks. Then whench the boat up. It looks like a great weekend up here to sail. If anyone wants to hook up on the CT shore just reply.

Thanks, Mark

Hi Mark,

The shroud is the stainless steel stranded wire that runs from the side of the boat up to near the top of the mast. There is one on each side of the boat. I personally prefer this area over the jib cam cleats but you might find that the jib cams work better for you.

I added a couple of trailer guides to each side of my trailer, and they are very helpful in loading the boat alone in a cross wind. They are like the ones you see on bass boat trailers, fasten with a couple of u bolts, and you slide a white PVC pipe with a cap in the end over the outside extension of the guide (the pvc came with the kit). It also helps in guiding you as you back the trailer!!!

Hey Markjojosh,

That eye at the stern near your strap attachment is where you connect your bungee for the centerboard!!

How are you keeping the centerboard down if you aren't currently using that eye? Just curious.

Also, one way to keep the boat from blowing sideways when you're retrieving it at the ramp. Just don't have the trailer so far under water that the bottom doesn't touch at least a little when you slide your capri up onto it.

I frequently sail single handed and it is usually no problem if you approach the dock from downwind and then turn into it just as you're about to lose way. I grab onto the dock and step up holding on to one of the shrouds and then I grab my painter and tie it up while I get my car.

Hi Jack,
There is a short cord attached to the center board which I hook onto the mount in the center of the boat for the strap's