Single-hand Your Small Sailboat -- Tips for Beginners -- Catalina 22 -- Jim's Little Boat
Вставка
- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- Jim takes his Catalina 22, Bootstrap, out for a single-hand afternoon and shares some tips for beginners.
You can get a taste of single handing when there is too much wind: • A Modicum of Misery --...
Jim's Little Boat is dedicated to helping beginning sailors and providing a video reference for work on their own boats. There are more than 50 videos in the Jim's Little Boat archives of You Tube. While some of the videos are very specific to Catalina 22 sailboats, most are general and apply to all small mono-hull sailboats.
You can reach Jim directly at: jslosson@aol.com
self actualized sailor, love it
I’m gonna consider this video a sign, as sailing is one of my fantasies. The coincidences: I’m Jim, we are the same height, middle aged, and more than a few times have I used the “so far so good” joke. Was telling the wife that a Catalina 22 or 25 would be doable on a budget. Now - just have to convince her to move near the ocean.
A large lake will do. We spent 85% of our time sailing in Budd Inlet and Dana Passag a salt water body only about 7 miles long and 2.5 miles wide.
Experienced Sailor!
Thanks for posting.
Love the video. This is a great overview of the things that people should know, told very succinctly without over explaining. I’ve learned more from this one video than watching hours of others videos! Well done!
Thanks
I love your mentality😊…totally chilled
Been wanting to sail for years. Currently taking my time and learning and looking for that perfect novice sailboat I can singlehandedly operate. I don't want big. small and doable that I can spend nights aboard with my best four legged friend. I grew up in the ocean and sailed the small sunfish as a kid and fell in love with sailing. Lots of every day maintenance I know. great video and exactly the kind of information I need. everyone has a particular favorite vessel they choose. for myself,I'm relying on the folks like yourself for sound advice.
I would definitely look at the Catalina 22. Very novice friendly. Affordable. Easy to find. Easy to fix. Plenty of parts available. One person and dog would work well. Easy to sell if you decide you don't like it. You may need a dinghy that is pretty stable--consider a Livingston--see Jim's Little Boat, the ugly dinghy project.
I had a Catalina 22, an old one, hull #972. New ones have roller furling on the jib and should be a joy to sail single handed. Don't wait forever, get a boat and do it.
Did you get a boat yet?
How about now? D:
I'm going to look at a compac 16 tomorrow... they are nice little boats, and manageable by one person.
Hey Jim. LOVE the suggestion about the "mast gator" slug. Tried it out a couple of days ago and it works great...AND we are able to keep it in place with the sail cover on. Brilliant!
Thanks Jim! This video is great. I haven’t built up the nerve to single hand yet but this gives a great blueprint for when I do. 👏👏
Next time you go out with friends, and the wind is light, drop them off and try to sail about 10-15 minutes by yourself before you call it a day. I always tell my GF when I am going on the water and off the water. Small steps builds courage. Good luck and have fun!
Just came back in from a light winds trip myself down here in Southeast Louisisana. I do not have a Catalina 22, a VN 23, but it is very similar. It is good to see you were able to get out on the water. I think that is the biggest lesson, to get out there and sail. You have to put in tiller time to build up skill and confidence.
The addition of the camera an the need to film and think of the trip in the terms of a narrative to photograph and share with people is a whole new ball game. I enjoy each of your videos. Great job!
I enjoy your videos; about to follow in your footsteps as a single hand on a Precision 21. I'm a beginner so please keep making these.
Yeah, Joe--I sold the boat-just kind of aged out. but I still follow the channel and chime in when I think I can add to the conversation. Enjoy your boat.
@@jimslittleboat4388are you going to get another boat?
Excellent videos. This is very practical and useful.
I always enjoy your videos. Years ago I had a C22, Loved it. I traded it off and got a 41' Tri, didn't like it...Your videos are always informative and well explained.
Self actualized sailing, just had to sub :)
thanks for prep and tips. All good.
Jim just found your channel great stuff!
I am a new (60yo) sailor and your info is priceless 🤗
I started sailing again at age 60 or so after a 35-year break. This is a great time of your life. Take lots of pictures and videos. Every day on the water is a gift, and you will want to remember it later.
Hey Tugboat Annie’s in the background too!
Great video Jim and some excellent tips!
Thanks
I like that you talk about wind speed and boat speed, as well as how much a new sailor should sail in. It was hard to establish all those min/max numbers when starting out! I also sail with our Genoa on a close haul and then raise/lower the main while the boom is off center into the wind... but I leave the autopilot on to stay close to the wind. This always leaves just our roller furled genoa as the last sail out, which we can just wind up. Good video!
Thanks. Just trying to help the new folks. I still watch your videos. I am envious. A) A spouse that likes sailing, B) Florida. C) A bigger boat. D) Did I mention a spouse that likes sailing? I think the C22 is my last (best?) boat given my age and responsibilities with grandchildren. You are doing good work. Keep it up.
Further thought. The radio on your vest is not a bad idea, but--I sail in the southern most part of Puget Sound. I would long be dead from hypothermia before the USCG or the Harbor Patrol would show up Best to decide how you would save yourself.
@@jimslittleboat4388 Hi Jim. During our sail back from Key West, which I'm almost done editing part 4 or 5 of right now, I had our AIS radio tied to my vest even while I slept as I was scared that if I fell in at least I could press the emergency button to summon the coast guard. I probably need to un-register myself from that since I had to return it. It charged once and then would not charge after that.
@@AdventuresInParadise Loving the Key West series. You always keep it real. I would imagine your survival time in the Gulf is much longer than up here. I spent 35 minutes in the water and started shivering. I am sure I would have been helpless in less than an hour.
@@jimslittleboat4388 Yea, we could probably float for days unless it was winter!
Thank you. Learn something and enjoyed the video.
Enjoyed your video. Well done sir.
Nice Video Jim. I leave my fenders out too. We usually have lots of stuff for camping so I really don't have anywhere else to put them. Besides, you never know when you might need to bounce off something 😁🤣
love the videos.back in the late 80s up to just about 2001 i had a 74 cat 22. Joined a sailing club here on Ct River and taught myself to sail(with the help of reading a few books and seat of the pants) on a 18' buccaneer. Then moved up to the Cat. raced her through the clubs program...got a bunch of trophys including 1st places. was always fun. sold it after it got broken into and everything stolen including brand new outboard. however, watching you on yours brings back fond memories of the good times. couple yrs ago i picked up a 14' Bluejay that im finishing up on, a Sirius 21 that Ive been sailing and an Oday 26 that Im working on too. keep these coming, most enjoyable...
I took about 30 years off when I became a principal with 70+ hour weeks. I wasn't surprised at how much I forgot, but rather how much I remembered.
Great content!
Thanks, Jim
This video is great. I recently purchased a fixer-upper Aquarius 21 and will be sailing single-handed often. I used to sail a dinghy and probably have a lot of false confidence about my skills sailing this 21 footer.
I’ve watched a lot of your videos and find them helpful - even though we have different boats, there’s enough similarity.
Thanks for the good work you do.
Dinghy sailing skills translate well to bigger boats. Things happen a bit slower; things are a bit more stable. But, grounding is a much bigger deal. The main rule holds: Don't cleat sheets when the wind gets puffy. jim
I'm trying to learn to dinghy sail. It hones your reflexes and keeps you paying attention. You'll do great and find yourself getting to rail to flatten her.
I enjoyed your video. My boat is a Beneteau Cabochard, 14 footer, long ballasted keel and skeg-mounted rudder, a lot smaller than yours but a good sea boat. I have always preferred single-handing and learned in dinghies, above all in a Laser. I'm not into competitive sailing, but it is a great way to learn and hone your reflexes. I recommend anyone to learn in a dinghy before going on to larger vessels.
Thanks for the great videos!
Thanks. I have been having a little dry spell lately. Busy working on my book about teaching pre-algebra.
Thank you very much.
Single handing is a different experience for sure. I do all the time on my Hunter 23, similar boat to the Catalina. Kind of nice not having to tell guests pull this, no that, now let it out lol... I use a tiller clutch and it works well, same idea I guess. I find lazy jacks work well too when dropping the main. As having halyards led aft to the cockpit. roller furling would be nice. I started typing my fenders to the dock so I don't have to bring them up or have the farmer look going on lol.. have some nice clean new ones if I want to dock when visiting another moorage.
Can be really nice single handing, also a good challenge for improving skills as if the wind kicks up and stuff goes wrong, it's up to you to handle it all. I think most of it is just keeping calm and generally on top of things out there.
Chris Burns, how do you like your Hunter 23 ?
@@bug512 i really like it. Fun and easy to sail, easy to single hand. Does great in light wind, bit tender when it gets windy and heels easily, so I just reef early and it's fine, and never felt dangerous others have told me the boat rounds up if the rudder comes out of the water a certain amout. Was out in 25 knots with 3-4 foot waves last month and felt safe.
Good for weekends, interior is nice with the woodwork.probably best overnights for single person or couple.but works well in the space it has.
@@chrisburns5691 Thank you for the reply.
Hunter 27. Best 75 hp 20 knits under rre
Love the "Jib dowser' term. Is that an original term.
Thanks for all your good, informative videos, Jim.
I doubt it-nothing new in sailing. But of course dowse means to find water---maybe it should be douser--or maybe just down haul?
i am yet to solo sail my Hartley Ts16. Think of her as a dinghy with a lid. NO ballast, just a 50Kilo steel plate swing keel. Oh! and NO tiller tamer, yet! lol nice informative video.
I enjoy light air sailing with plenty of hot tea and cookies 👍👍🇺🇸
Never heard the term Iron Spinnaker, i like that😂
Nice vid thks
Great advice. Since I don't have a motor, coming in under sail is a challenge and a pain. Some times I'll drop the sails and paddle in. Easier at times. I am lake sailing, so don't have the marina troubles you have, Anyway you could tie the safety line to the tiller to release it if you were to fail overboard?
That is a good idea.
Made me feel like I was aboard my Catalina 25. Almost identical layout and cockpit.
Are you Richard Lemus - my son ?
Great tips
I also single hand my 22’ wind rose quite often. I usually attach the jib halyard before I leave the doc so that I don’t have to go up on the bow. That is until I have to bring down the jib.
Yeah I would like to do that, but it seems like it always wraps around something and I have to go forward anyway. Got any tips?
If you put a little down tension on your jib dowser then attach the halyard and put a little up tension on that. The lines stay tight and don’t get hooked on things to often. You just have to remember to release the dowser just before raising the jib.
“Newton missed one law of physics,
If a wire/rope/halyard can get caught on something it will, even if it can’t, it still will.”
@@doublediamondsdunn7287 good idea--I will give it a try
I tried it today--worked great. Thanks
i have a jib downhaul on my boat, works well for bringing it down. Thing i s though I like to go up and put a bungee around it, especially the bigger genoa, to make sure it doesn't roll around. Maybe this isn't necessary- but I find I am usually going up on deck to bring down the sail.
Just got my C22, going to be going out a lot in Budd Inlet. Maybe I’ll see you out there!
What is your sail number?
@@jimslittleboat4388 hmmm checked my sails and don’t see any!
@@teeheeteeheeish Okay. I will look for a no number C22 :)
To make docking/undocking easier (no brainer, really) rig a rope bridle in the slip.
Nice
I recently stumbled across your videos and they're great.......nice detail, really informative, good practical tips. Thanks!
Thanks, Chuck. I know they tend to be a little long and contain too much detail. But if you are on your own in some small town in Maine, too much is better than not enough. The real goal is to create an archive of videos that show new folks how to do it themselves. I think the next one will be about sailing to weather in puffy wind.
Just purchased Clamcleat CL220 to supplement existing cleats which are terrible. Did you install yours with backing plates?? Seems difficult to access (if not impossible) Great videos!!
Great video as usual Jim. I have that same tiller stay but when I acquired my 77 C22 the box it came in was deteriorated and the instruction were gone. Could you explain how it works?
Please contact me by email: jslosson@aol.com, and I will send you a drawing with some approximate measurements. jim
great talk, I need your advice on a 1982 Schwill ds-20, shoal keel w/ centerboard. the centerboard fell off and sank in lake huron. what do you think the chance of a keel replacement and cost of one...
i haven't single handed anything but a dinghy, but i have crewed on boats up to 35 ft, i spent a month crewing an Irwin 32 around lake Erie. i have kayaked source to sea down the Mississippi for whatever that is worth.. I've been looking into getting a boat for a few years now, i would like to set sail and explore the inland waterways in the eastern US. I'm looking for boat ideas, I've thought about everything from a Catalina 22 to a Hobie 16. I think my ideal boat was a windrider 17 trimaran. or a 22ft monohull ... guess im looking for input. the 2 old guys who taught me to sail both said i shouldn't spend allot on my first boat and i agree, i assume any money i put into a first boat is as good as burnt . originally had a 6k boat budget but they told me to cut that in half or less, said a first boat should be 2k tops but i have no idea, i have to travel a long ways to even see water... i'd be buying a boat and launching on this adventure in the same week.
Don't over-think it. Get a well-found boat and sail. The rest will take care of itself. :O)
@@jimslittleboat4388 oh yeah lol my plan is to wing it :D i just happen to live far from water and sailboats so im spending the winter narrowing down my options to a few to go look at this spring
J24. J88 splarcektruc sail bosts
great video! my neighbor and I might be getting a C22, so I started watching videos. we're on Camano. is that the Everett marina? haven't been there in a long time, part way through the video I realized you might be in my neck of the woods. cheers!
Actually that is Westbay Marina in Olympia. Some folks claim it was the setting for one of Jim Lynch's books. It it isn't, it is pretty close.
@@jimslittleboat4388 OK, cool! I look forward to watching more of your videos. Thanks for sharing the content! If you're ever up as far as the Saratoga passage, let me know.
Good old Maslow!
Exactly!
Nice tips. Life line key for sure. Add: Radio w/ SOS or an EPIRB? Or In Reach?
What is the nice compact solar panel? Brand? watts? Thx for posting
The solar panel was the cheapest thing they sold at Harbor Freight. Came with the boat. Seems to work well. The clamps cost more than the panel.
Master chef add. Radar bad weather
Jim, any thoughts on dodgers with these small boats?
Hi Jim, I’m interested in your main sheet set up… how have you threaded it and what are the advantages over a conventional rear main sheet? Fair winds mate…
That is the mid boom sheeting block from Catalina Direct part # D1905. If you send me an email, I will send you the drawing from their catalog. Or you can sort of get the gist from their on-line catalog.
Not sure why you don't like the center cam cleat. Jam cleats only better because it's small. I do like the multi angle setup.
Looking for a catalina 22 wing keel in the North Carolina, virginia coastal area.
Jim. Are a jib dowser and a jib downhaul the same thing or should I not say "Jib downhaul"?
Jim, is the block (spring loaded, why?) and sheet that I see when you are explaining leaving the fenders out the jib dowser or is that the jib sheet for the Port side?
Not really sure which block we are talking about? I just leave the fenders out because I am lazy. If we are sailing hard we stow them in front of the volcano.
In one of the videos I explained the excess number of cleats. One set of jam cleats are pointed toward the helm for single handing. The other pair are pointed toward the bulkhead because that is where I like the crew to set. The cam cleats are only used for single handing when the wind is very light and steady. They are dangerous if the wind is gusty. They won't release when there is a lot of pressure.
Really wish we could see you docking at the end. For me, that's the most difficult part.
That's a good idea, Jussie. Maybe we will put on the go pro and make a clip of pulling into our dock under different conditions.
I single hand my IP 370. I enjoy it and do want pot smoking drunk drugies or wanna be pirates on board. I am retired and no old hags allowed. I do have a very good friend in her 20s that goes with me when there long weekends but she works 5 days a week. I go to Alaska in the summer but not year as I got hit by drunk illegal and broke my lower leg this spring when on my adventure motorcycle. Will be leaving for Mexico soon for next winter. The Catalina 22 us a great boat. Enjoy.
Hello Jim, Say can you show how the boom rope is setup, I have a 22 ft catalina like yours, but no documentation on setting up the boom rope.
thanks
Mike
I sail in Lake Michigan. Holland or Grand Haven.
If you give me an email address, Mike, I can send you a drawing. jim
I just bought my fist sailboat, a 17 ft ODay. Having difficulty raising the mast singlehanded. I think I need a gin pole or crutch plus some other stuff. Any tips on this would be greatly appreciated.
If you go digging around in the blogosphere I made a gin pole for my Tanzer--but I have to warn you it involved cutting the mast and adding a hinge so it was like an overnighter. That blog was also called Jim's little boat.
Use. Ektrinc sail. Remarking master use ekrric as sibling rigs
If you fall over with that set-up, do you think you can get back onboard?
Good question, Bobo. I have the boarding ladder set up with a reef knot that I can reach from the water. Then the ladder drops down in the water. I have climbed up the ladder and over the stern rail. Once with a life jacket and many times without a life jacket--So answer is I Think So. Who knows what will happen if the boat is making 5 knots in lumpy water. But I know I have no chance if the boat sails off without me.
No… this is not standard in any sail training. This is very dangerous. Drag and drowning occurs at 4knots of speed.
I appreciated all that you discussed in this video. Seems, as an aside, we both share some knowledge of psychology. What was/is your profession.? While you mentioned your preference for the fin keel on the Catalina 22, i see you have a swing keel. How long did they make the fin keel? Has their been any problem with trailering the fin keel boats? The only fin keel I have ever sailed was on a Hunter. It seemed to sail a little flatter than the standard keel equipped boats. How does it perform on the Catalina 22s, relative to the other keel designs?
Hi Michael--I was (am) a teacher and principal This year I started my 50th year. Mostly retired, but still subbing and writing books about education. As for the fin keel, I don't really know much. They sit very high up on the trailer and can be hard to launch. Every time you find one the original keel bolts are corroded and they have already been sistered up. They sail closer to the wind, they are difficult to launch, and there seems to always be a crack between the keel and the hull, called the "smile." They are quite roomy inside. Probably not the best boat for lower Puget Sound. It can be very shoaly down here. That's about all I know. Oh I almost bought one, but the owner didn't want to take the time to get a clean title on the trailer. It was a great boat.
What motor do you have and would you recommend it or a different motor for someone with Catalina 22 and no motor? Is it 4-Stroke or 2-Stroke?
I have had great luck with the Tohatsu Sailpro 6 extra long shaft. The prop never cavitates. It charges my battery. My only complaint is that you have to carefully tend the choke on a cold start and it is kind of easy to flood. With a bit of practice this is not a problem. I would have bought a Honda but there were none available. It also costs significantly more. The problem with all motors is that they are too heavy. The boat was designed for something more on the order of 40 or 50 pounds. With a heavy motor, the Sailpro weighs 75, the boat tends to squat. That hurts performance. Best compensation move heavy stuff forward and train crew to sit forward in cockpit. Probably more than you wanted to know--I do that. :)
@@jimslittleboat4388 Jim. I want to know anything you have to say. I have been looking at a HONDA 8 4 stroke and was concerned about that very thing - weight distribution. I am also looking at older Mercury 8 HP 2 Strokes for their reduced weight. Where I live, San Diego, taking a C-22 to Catalina Island is something that happens weekly, so I want a good motor and strong with plenty of range (frugal fuel consumption). I am trying to balance all these things, but safety is of course number One. Speed (while under sail) is number two. BTW, if I had to own just one jib, would it be a 110, 120, or 130?
Booth great outbards mercy hinda no I ses wight
New 8. Hp outbards 8 Amp altrunatr 12 vikesrts 96. Watts aktrrenetratir
Leaving the fenders out makes the boat appear larger and less susceptible to great white shark attacks.
That seems to satisfy most people. Or at least they never bring it up again.🤣
I wish I didn't need to struggle to here you.
5'7"? Must be nice. boats that fit and clothes that fit everywhere you go.
I always joked that being short meant I could buy a boat with standing head room for lots less money than my taller friends.
A heavy weather sailing video.
I would love to do that, Dean. But when the wind picks up enough to make an interesting video we are usually too busy sailing that little 2500 pound boat to make videos. We did get a little taste of that on the "Playing the puffs" video because I had the go pro set up.
@@jimslittleboat4388 Just kidding. I liked watching it.
But leaving the fenders out creates drag 🤣🤣🤣
As the man said,"If you don't care where you are, you're not lost.🙄 I do take them in when the wind picks up so they don't wash away when we go rail down.
This video is making me feel like a bit of a dumbass 😂 been singlehanding a Catalina 25 for my first year with no personal safety equipment and going out basically regardless of weather on weekends. Learned some stuff out of necessity and beat myself up a bit, but thankfully no major mistakes. Should probably go get a life jacket and a few clips though, might be smart
Yeah--sometimes we get lucky, but then we find new information and we really should deal with it or the minor gods in charge of luck get fed up. :)
'self-actualized sailor' ... my man
Yeah, those fender shammers are everywhere.
I’ve had a number of sailboats. “Singlehanding” a 22 foot boat is not a big deal.
Unless the viewer is new to sailing and never done it before. That's pretty much what this channel is about. Thanks for watching.
」