I need help learning to single hand my ’88 C36. I don’t like relying on buddies when it comes to sailing my boat and I’m missing out because they only have weekends free. I am looking to have someone take me out on my boat and show me the ropes – preferably during the week.
I just need to build some confidence… Getting into the dock, getting the sails up/down, anchor down/up…
The boat’s at Harbor Island West Marina. So anyone in SD have a free Thursday or Friday and want to get paid to sail?
Any C36 experts in San Diego?
Sun, 11/30/2014 - 13:21
#1
Any C36 experts in San Diego?
Wow, sure is quiet in here!
I'd love to get paid to show you the ropes but I'm about seven hours too far away!
I suggest looking for the San Diego fleet secretary under the Community pages and get in touch via email.
We hope to have a feature soon that will enable you to find Members close to you; keep an eye out for that.
Good luck!
- nick
Nick Tonkin
*Former* Website Administrator, C36/375IA
*Former* owner, C36 tr/fk #255, Santa Barbara, CA
I'll be in SoCal on this Firday, December 12th, and might be able to break away in the afternoon. We used to live aboard at Harbor Island (Cabrillo Isle Marina) right across from Spanish Landing (early 1990s). Please send me your phone number if this might work for you. Note that my availability depends on some work-related activities that can be a bit variable.
Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor
I appreciate the replies (two Nicks?) I actually thought there’d be a line forming for a paid offer to sail but maybe the holidays have everyone thinking of more pressing matters… Anyway, I’m covered for Thursday and maybe also Friday if the rain doesn’t create any unforeseen issues.
I too am a bit too far away, but wouldn't hear of having you pay me to sail! The first solo passage I made on my 36 was Channel Islands Harbor to Santa Barbara about 11 years ago. That one passage made me realize how easy it really is to singlehand these boats. Since then I've probably logged about 2500 nm solo, including one or two 60 nm trips to Catalina from Channel Islands harbor per year. Being on the water by myself is one of the most therapeutic experiences I get.
Some basics that have helped me simplify things: Raise and lower the main when you have plenty of room to work. CIH is fairly small, so if it is a busy weekend, I drop the main just outside of the harbor provided conditions allow for it. Keep the cockpit clear of items that get in your way. have multiple winch handles within easy reach. When docking, slow and steady wins the race. I go as slow as I can to still maintain headway and control.
But the single biggest concern you need to address is SAFETY GEAR! You go overboard when you are alone and you are likely dead. I always have a harness, inflatable lifejacket, personal locator beacon, AND a handheld vhf attached to me. Sounds like a lot of gear and it can be a little cumbersome, but I have a wife a two small kids that would not be pleased if Daddy didn't come home.
Phil L
Southern Cross
Channel Islands, CA
C36MKI #400
Thanks for your encouraging words Phil! Sailing to the Channel Islands is a huge goal of mine!
I think I’ve conquered docking, as long as my motor doesn’t quit on me, as I learned prop walk is your friend.
The main sail is my next obstacle. I have lazy jacks so dropping it isn’t much of an issue but the sail sometimes gets stuck in the same lines while raising. So I tie the lazy jacks to the mast before raising (while at the dock) and then hook them back to the boom sometime during sailing - Sort of a pain in the ass.
Anchoring is next!!
The real mental problem for me is that I used to solo sail a C36 in SD Bay twenty years ago while attending UCSD but now that I’m old and actually own one, I’m a big chicken… Weird.
I did buy me a really nice harness/inflatable lifejacket to strap myself to the boat though. I’m going to try to go out next weekend and put in some more time on the water.