the night. Using your windlass by yourself is not
difficult, even if you don’t have controls on the bridge.
Practice a few times in your home location. Try it
when the wind is blowing, or where there is current.
Practice until it becomes second nature.
Before I made my solo trip, I assumed that docking
at marinas would be the hardest (and most
embarrassing) task to undertake alone. I could tie up
singlehanded at home on a windless day with a slack
tide, but in less than ideal conditions, I felt I would have
major problems getting the boat secured. I had read
about the 8-foot tidal swings in Georgia and the swift
currents that run through the area. I could close my
eyes and visualize all kinds of docking disasters—with
huge crowds standing by watching and laughing—if
left to my own devices. The reality, however, was
quite different.
It’s a simple fact of life that marinas operate to make
money by providing various services to the boating
community. When you book a transient dock space,
the folks who work at the marina are usually more
than willing to help you. Call in advance to reserve a
space, and tell them you are singlehanding and that
you will need help getting both into and out of the
slip. Ask them if they can get someone experienced
down to your space before your arrival to help you
with the lines. Be humble, even if you’re not. Tell them
you don’t have much experience and that you will
really need assistance. Ask them how you will be
expected to tie up (port, starboard, etc.), and get ready
in advance. When you leave in the morning, pull over
somewhere quiet and set your docklines on both sides
for later in the day. Put your fenders in the general area
where you’ll need them (don’t hang them till just
before arrival).
Make sure someone will be on-site to help even if
you’ll be arriving late in the day. If they hesitate at all
in their response, seek shelter somewhere else! In my
entire trip up the ICW, the only problem I had was
when I arrived after hours without clarifying this issue.
I received help anyway from some friendly boat
owners. Check your tides and currents to see what the
situation will be like when you arrive. Make life easier
for yourself: try to plan your arrival when the currents
aren’t running like the Grand Canyon.
PLANNING FOR ONE
Provisioning for a solo cruise is not much different
from provisioning for any other trip. I bought a “seal a
meal” device, and I vacuum-sealed meal portions that
would fit my needs. When I cooked on board, I tried
to make enough for two or three meals—grilled
Finally . . .a rigid body dinghy
that makes inflatables
obsolete.
SEE US AT MIAMI BOAT SHOW FEB. 12-16 2009
STABILITY • COMFORT • SAFETY
ZERO MAINTENANCE • DURABILITY
PERFORMANCE • SECURE STORAGE
16181 Old US 41, Ft. Myers, FL 33912
U.S. COAST Toll Free 800-643-1988
GUARD TESTED AND CERTIFIED www.rigidboats.com
Cross Oceans with
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