One-up sailing with spinnaker

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gbviper

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Sep 25, 2018

Last visit: Sep 26, 2018

Posts: 4
Posted: Sep 25, 2018 - 01:33 PM

I am looking for advice on one-up sailing with a spinnaker. I have been racing my F16 Viper solo this season (all three sails, in 15 knots breeze or less) and as typical races are windward-leeward courses I have not had too much trouble setting sails for 2 points of sail with the exception of raising and lowering the spinnaker. How do people keep the boat tracking straight while hoisting/snuffing a spinnaker?
I have been hoisting the spinnaker late, after rounding the windward mark and setting the boat on its downwind course. I set and cleat the main, let out the mast rotation, let off the Cunningham and adjust the jib sheet for downwind before rounding the mark so all I have to worry about is the spinnaker once I round the mark. The boat more-or-less tracks straight when I let go of the tiller to raise the spinnaker but as soon as I shift my weight to get to the spin halyard, the boat goes off course. I’ve tried stepping on the tiller but find my head too much in the boat and if there is traffic behind me the whole maneuver becomes impossible. Any advice beyond “get an A-Cat”?
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

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Posted: Sep 25, 2018 - 02:07 PM

I try to keep my foot on the tiller - but it's a losing battle
gbviper

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Sep 25, 2018

Last visit: Sep 26, 2018

Posts: 4
Posted: Sep 25, 2018 - 02:21 PM

Someone suggested I try a small strip of Velcro but I am not sure where I could place it to not interfere with normal sailing.
klozhald

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Posted: Sep 25, 2018 - 03:23 PM

Some thoughts:

Resist the temptation to put neutral helm on your tiller.
If you go overboard, it will sail away and you may never see it again.

You are one busy guy soloing a three-sailed cat.

Roller furl the jib downwind to simplify things?

While you are raising or lowering the spin, can you leverage the tiller around the traveller (left cleated near the center) and hold it in place briefly with your foot (I assume you are kneeling)?

Marry someone you can coerce to crew with you? (This sounds desparate).

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Sheet In!
Bob
_/)_____/)_/)____/)____/)_____/)/)__________/)__
Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
Prindle 16 #3690 "Pegasus" Sold (sigh)
AZ Multihull Fleet 42 member
(Way) Past Commodore of Prindle Fleet 14
Arizona, USA
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MN3

Rank: Master Chief

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Posted: Sep 25, 2018 - 03:47 PM

QuoteRoller furl the jib downwind to simplify things?

f-16 rock the self tacking jib | furling is not an option if racing stock
wlrottge

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 24, 2006

Last visit: Jun 21, 2023

Posts: 160
Posted: Sep 25, 2018 - 04:23 PM

Use a spin lock and pull it up with one hand, steer with the other.

Worked the couple of times I sailed my Tornado with the kite by myself.
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

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Posted: Sep 25, 2018 - 04:44 PM

wlrottgeUse a spin lock and pull it up with one hand, steer with the other.
Worked the couple of times I sailed my Tornado with the kite by myself.

I have spin locks
I don't think this would work for me. I need 2 hands moving quickly to snuff
If i go too slow, it will ball up and i will shrimp my sail (sail over it)
tamumpower1

Rank: Mate

Registered: Nov 19, 2015

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Posted: Sep 25, 2018 - 11:46 PM

I run a single line system and it's not too bad to solo but yea I usually have to do a helm correction when the spin is about half way up. If I get lucky I can get the spin hoisted before the boat bears up but the second I grab the helm again I have to immediately turn down before bringing the spin in or there is way too much power.

If you have the spin up I don't know if it's possible to have enough weather helm to bear the boat up head to wind and stop the boat if you fall over. I've never seen someone cleat the spin sheet so if you fall off it's going to billow out and drag the boat downwind no matter what I'd imagine.

I'd not let go of the sheet if you slip off...
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

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Posted: Sep 26, 2018 - 07:58 AM

QuoteIf you have the spin up I don't know if it's possible to have enough weather helm to bear the boat up head to wind and stop the boat if you fall over. I've never seen someone cleat the spin sheet so if you fall off it's going to billow out and drag the boat downwind no matter what I'd imagine.

Many of us on the causeway have cleats for our spin sheets
it is a bit risky and used lightly
martin_langhoff

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Posted: Sep 26, 2018 - 10:13 AM

I do it, but not in racing conditions with actual wind. If your endless halyard/douse line is long enough that you can hoist/douse from a position of control, perhaps, but as you say, you can't douse fast enough while turning a mark, so meh.

Douse early in a safe uncrowded spot & time before the mark?
martin_langhoff

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Posted: Sep 26, 2018 - 10:16 AM

In any case, in a race, there's a fleet around you. You can take a risk and at most you'll look like a fool if you fall off the boat and it sails away. Someone will pick you up, help rescue the stray boat, and drink those beers you'll invite.

There's worse ways to end the sailing day
gbviper

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Sep 25, 2018

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Posts: 4
Posted: Sep 26, 2018 - 10:22 AM

Thanks all, I have a few things to try. I do have a self-tacking jib and single line spin tack/halyard system but not a spin lock. I sail with all three sails because the boat is balanced and easier to sail than with main alone. I do not worry too much about falling off while solo sailing - I save my clumsy moves for when my wife is sailing with me. My big worry is making late helm corrections in a racing situation with traffic.
gbviper

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Sep 25, 2018

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Posts: 4
Posted: Sep 26, 2018 - 11:46 AM

Oh, I also have cam cleats for my spin sheets and have never used them.
MN3

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Posted: Sep 26, 2018 - 12:10 PM

gbviperOh, I also have cam cleats for my spin sheets and have never used them.

really not needed going around marks
more for long distance racing or cruising when you need a break on your hands/arms or need to fuss w other gear and don't want to douse
randii

Rank: Mate

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Posted: Sep 26, 2018 - 02:18 PM

klozhaldMarry someone you can coerce to crew with you? (This sounds desparate).

...and expensive!
Well, in my experience, the entrance (wedding) was cheap, but the exit (divorce) was spendy!

She was good crew, too! (dammit)

Randii
mookie

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Registered: Apr 20, 2015

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Posts: 31
Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 10:59 AM

I know this thread is about a year old, but I'm puzzling out the same issues on a Falcon F-16. Firstly, the boat is tuned to have the helm as dead neutral going upwind as possible because anything else is draggy and slow. However, downwind, as when launching the spin, the helm has some load.

So far I've been bringing the tack out while steering, then keeping a leg over the tiller while going to the mast and hoisting like a mthr fkr, then quickly sitting and grabbing the tiller and sheet. Works ok, but it would be nice to have the tiller stay put on its own for a second.

An idea I've had is to secure one end of short piece of bungee to the aft tramp or beam, putting a piece on each side of the boat. On the other end of each piece of bungee secure a hook that will hook over the crossbar. Using the piece on your side of the boat, hook it over to hold the tiller fairly steady when you're busy. I haven't tried it yet, though.

Edited by mookie on Jun 27, 2019 - 11:01 AM.

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Falcon F-16
Taipan 4.9
S2 7.9
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MN3

Rank: Master Chief

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Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 11:21 AM

QuoteAn idea I've had is to secure one end of short piece of bungee to the aft tramp or beam, putting a piece on each side of the boat. On the other end of each piece of bungee secure a hook that will hook over the crossbar. Using the piece on your side of the boat, hook it over to hold the tiller fairly steady when you're busy. I haven't tried it yet, though.

I've tried this for heave-to with little success - bungee doens't hold tight enough
may work better for just a moment while pulling out or snuffing
mookie

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Posts: 31
Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 01:25 PM

MN3
QuoteAn idea I've had is to secure one end of short piece of bungee to the aft tramp or beam, putting a piece on each side of the boat. On the other end of each piece of bungee secure a hook that will hook over the crossbar. Using the piece on your side of the boat, hook it over to hold the tiller fairly steady when you're busy. I haven't tried it yet, though.

I've tried this for heave-to with little success - bungee doens't hold tight enough
may work better for just a moment while pulling out or snuffing

OK, thanks for the info. Another idea was a flat piece of foam or rubber to wedge, on edge, under a rudder arm or crossbar.

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Falcon F-16
Taipan 4.9
S2 7.9
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MN3

Rank: Master Chief

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Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 01:56 PM

they used to sell a u shaped bracket for hobies
it would allow you snap/click your tiller extension into it and would hold it perfectly in place

i haven't seen them for sale in years (probably taken off the market after some-one sued them because of a capsize or ghost boat) -

and after several searches:voilà - https://www.strictlysaili…tiller-extension-holder/

and https://westcoastsailing.…aeOFdGIZ7YhoCo34QAvD_BwE

QuoteThis is the closest thing you can get to "self steering" on a Hobie Cat. This handy little device grips the hiking stick, holding the tiller at whatever position you please. Great for light air sailing or when paddling in if the wind dies. It also keeps the rudders from flopping around when on the beach. Attaches at each end of the traveler track. For the Hobie 14 & 16 only. Includes a pair./p>
mookie

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Registered: Apr 20, 2015

Last visit: Apr 28, 2021

Posts: 31
Posted: Jun 28, 2019 - 09:57 AM

MN3they used to sell a u shaped bracket for hobies
it would allow you snap/click your tiller extension into it and would hold it perfectly in place

i haven't seen them for sale in years (probably taken off the market after some-one sued them because of a capsize or ghost boat) -

and after several searches:voilà - https://www.strictlysaili…tiller-extension-holder/

and https://westcoastsailing.…aeOFdGIZ7YhoCo34QAvD_BwE

QuoteThis is the closest thing you can get to "self steering" on a Hobie Cat. This handy little device grips the hiking stick, holding the tiller at whatever position you please. Great for light air sailing or when paddling in if the wind dies. It also keeps the rudders from flopping around when on the beach. Attaches at each end of the traveler track. For the Hobie 14 & 16 only. Includes a pair./p>

Bingo. That looks like the ticket. The Falcon has an I beam traveler on top of the rear beam, So all of the parts in that particular kit are superfluous except for the clip. A quick look around McMaster Carr found these
https://www.mcmaster.com/spring-clips
One of those should do the trick. I'll need to make some measurements. Probably need to mount them in a way that helps keep them from fouling lines, also.

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Falcon F-16
Taipan 4.9
S2 7.9
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