Something that I’ve seen done is to have a “Sea Anchor” double line rigged a head of time when sailing single handed.rick retiree wrote: ↑Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:25 am My and I just back from a harrowing sail out of Calumet Harbor in the south basin of Lake Michigan. But before I begin my narrative let me apologize for not knowing sailing terminology so well(Im the fellow who thought it was a WHISKEY pole). Departed with 10 knot offshore breezes and 2 footers but within a few hours winds increased to 25 knots and gust to 30 knots IMHO and waves increased to 5+feet as NOAA predicted. Time to drop the sails and power in, unfortunately my Yammy 50 decided to lock up in the up position Since I am a senior citizen and sail singlehanded I was leary about climbing on deck to reef. Tried to close haul/close reach but she kept rounding up into wind & beam reach brought her over to 30+degrees. Mainsail took on parachute shape ahead of battens. Engaged genoa 10% for airfoill, little effect. So after 2 hours of floundering, dropped hook from cockpit(Modified to run anchor line lead from anchor roller to cockpit cleat). 4 hours later with same conditions called for rescue. I'm a newbie and glad 4 your advice.
> The first line is tied to the open gather of the “Sea Anchor” and is long enough to reach from a bow cleat round the outside of the life lines and stantions back to the cockpit and secured.
> The second line is tied to the open gather of the “Sea Anchor” and is 2-1/2 times longer than the first line and is placed in the cockpit.
> That way when you need to “hove to” solo you deploy the sea anchor as you turn up wind holding the end of the second line which you will then tie off in the cockpit after the first line fully deploys.
> The bow will be held pointing into the wind by the drag of the “Sea Anchor”.
This would allow a solo sailer to be better able to reef or gather in the mail sail single handed and secure it.
It would also similarly allow a solo sailer to gather in a fore sail and secure it.
The solo sailer then retrieves the “Sea Anchor” with the second line back into the cockpit.
Hope this helps someone when the find that they need to sail solo.
Best Regards,
Over Easy