Thread: Solo Sailing for Goat Island Skiff

Hi, have a look at the thread "Solo Expedition Sailboat" in the thread list below. She will be smaller than GIS and specifically designed for sailing single-handed. Brian

Is it ready yet?

Any specs on it?

How does it compare to the GIS?

Hey

I'm also new for sailing and i do belive that GIS is the right choice, i'm in the progress of building one now. Everybody is telling me that it's easy to sail solo and if you take a look on videos and images you can see that they are right about that. One thing you can do is to put some sandbags in the middle until you learn how GIS is behaving. I know that there is some that have used that. I will also sail alone or with my 2 kids so i will properly use the sandbag too. Another solution to aid weight is to use glassfibre on the plywood (but dont say that to Mik ) i will do it, but thats becouse of the rough on shore we have where im gonna sail.
I also know Mik (the designer) would say that you not should making the boat smallere, i dont know about making the sail smallere or how a laser rig is compared to the lug.

G'day Buddha,
The lug sail has provision for a relatively deep reef point so for a bit of a breeze and solo set the reef before venturing out and Bobs your uncle. You say San Diego has predominately gentle breezes so after you have gotten used to the boat you will want the full sail area for the exitement and to blow off any nearby boaty.
My thoughts are don't mess with the sail plan the designer puts a lot of thought into size, centre of effort etc to acheive the desired performance characteristics so any modification may leave you dissappointed.

My thoughts
Mike

Originally Posted by Maximuss

Hey

SNIP

Another solution to aid weight is to use glassfibre on the plywood (but dont say that to Mik ) i will do it, but thats becouse of the rough on shore we have where im gonna sail.
I also know Mik (the designer) would say that you not should making the boat smallere, i dont know about making the sail smallere or how a laser rig is compared to the lug.

Howdy Maximuss,

Don't think I won't see comments like this!!! My eyes are always watching!

The 'glass won't make enough difference to improve stability, just increase the weight you have to carry!

But for the original comments ... I always do have some small concern about recommending the GIS for singlehanders because it really is a two person boat.

However, the sail does reef easily and some have made use of a couple of 40lb sandbags under the middle seat while they are getting used to the boat.

The Solo/RAID is some way off as a plan for a first time boatbuilder. I am hoping that the basic drawings for experienced builders will proceed smoothly and not take me too long.

BTW ... never hold your breath while I am designing a boat. It does take a long time!

Best wishes
Michael

Michael

Which boat do you recommend for solo sailing?

Originally Posted by Boatmik

Howdy Maximuss,



But for the original comments ... I always do have some small concern about recommending the GIS for singlehanders because it really is a two person boat.

However, the sail does reef easily and some have made use of a couple of 40lb sandbags under the middle seat while they are getting used to the boat.


Best wishes
Michael

This is the fourth year we've used our GIS, and the second year as a sailboat. As a sailor, I was a complete beginner when I first stepped the mast in Sisu. The first day sailing, I went out solo and did an unintentional gybe (didn't even know the term before that day) and capsized the boat. After that, I started sailing more with another body in the boat, and it made a big difference. If I was gonna go out solo, I tucked a 70# sandbag along each side of the centerboard case - or 140# total. That helped a lot too.

So, as Mik says, she's more stable with two people, but a little removable ballast can readily achieve the same result. By the end of the first year with the sandbags, I wasn't using them often. I haven't used them this year at all. It doesn't really take that long to get used to the boat enough that they aren't usually necessary - even for a beginner. However, I still have them, and would use them again if I know I was gonna be out solo on a day with stiff winds, or with strong gusts (or perhaps if I wanted to sail without ever having to set my mug of Rum down ).

For the most part, I just enjoy the speed and responsiveness that the lighter weight allows. If the wind gets a little squirrely, I just try to stay a bit more nimble & alert. It's also nice that she'll take a third, and even a fourth body and still be fun to sail. As you add more weight, she does slow down a bit, and she gets a lot more stable, but she's still lots of fun and pretty quick.


"There is a time for adventure. There is a time for planning. I choose to plan for adventure"

I guess I don't want to put 70 lb bags in my boat during a learning curve.

I am looking for a boat that is simple to build, easy to rig, can be sailed solo and can go fast but not overpower me.

I would like a wooden boat since they are so pretty.

Somehow I think that a Laser radial may be the choice for me but they are kind of commonplace.

Originally Posted by jlbuddha

I guess I don't want to put 70 lb bags in my boat during a learning curve.

What's your objection/concern regarding sandbags?

I found them to be quite handy. The ones I got from the tire shop (used for traction in winter months) are long and skinny... fit neatly beside the daggerboard case. They stayed in place nicely - though I did consider for a while strapping them in with shock cord. They are soft against body parts. They didn't object to dampness. If the worst were to ever occur, and you tipped the boat over, they'd just slither over the side and sink. They're inexpensive - so no great loss. They're soft, so they wouldn't tear up the boat on the way out.

My only objection was carrying them from the truck to the boat. One sandbag on each shoulder makes a load, esp. when you add 3 spars (w/sail attached), outboard, gas can, etc. Of course, if you'd be willing to make multiple trips, I imagine it'd be a bit easier


"I have so much time and so little to do. Strike that, reverse it" -- Roald Dahl

Well maybe.

I doubt I would ever have 3 other people in the boat, I will be doing mostly solo or maybe one other person.

Maybe Michael will have his solo design ready when I am ready to build.

Originally Posted by jlbuddha

I guess I don't want to put 70 lb bags in my boat during a learning curve.
I am looking for a boat that is simple to build, easy to rig, can be sailed solo and can go fast but not overpower me.
I would like a wooden boat since they are so pretty.

Get the sail made with 2 or even 3 sets of reef points in it.
Start deep-reefed, & shake 'em out as you gain experience & confidence.

Or, as you suggest, wait for the Solo boat design.
GIS is a well-established design with many afloat & the bugs already sorted.
SEB is still early in its development, & may be a slightly more complex beastie for a 1st-time builder. (Hoping MIK remembers to leave a generous 6'4" of sleeping space in the SEB for me..)

cheers
AJ

Hey Guys,

Thankyou VERY much for responding to Jlbuddha guys.

And hope that was helpful jl,

I was interested to see how the forum would work ... and particularly hoping that David would be along because he started off in a pretty similar situation.

I am really reluctant to say what boat of mine is the best for some purpose. Everyone is so different in the way they think, approach things and respond to them. And my main problem is I find it hard to drop into the learner's perspective.

The other reason is that a boat that is pretty suitable for learning (say the PDRacer) may not be the most suitable boat for the person a year or so down the track. Maybe it turns into mostly solo sailing like David, or suddenly the boat is being used for racing against fast boats or there are two other people you want to go cruising with.

So needs change too.

I hope there is enough firm data there to help.

A question for David ... Those are really hefty sandbags ... do you reckon (OZ for think) lighter bags would work.

I remember cruising in my racing NS14 as a teenager and remember how stable the boat became with the camping gear stowed low and central. Do you think lighter bags would work as well?

Michael

Originally Posted by Boatmik

Hey Guys,

A question for David ... Those are really hefty sandbags ... do you reckon (OZ for think) lighter bags would work.

I remember cruising in my racing NS14 as a teenager and remember how stable the boat became with the camping gear stowed low and central. Do you think lighter bags would work as well?

Michael

Mik - Waddya mean Hefty? Not that heavy at all. I guess if you're 4'11" and built like a ballet dancer, you might have to go back for a second trip... but for a real man, they're no problem at all. (That's why I always have my sons do the lifting & carrying - or whine & cry about my old Professional Wrestling injuries if I'm sailing with someone else )

Seriously, I'm sure that a lesser weight, well situated, would work OK too. When my youngest was about 90#, adding him as ballast worked a treat.


"Force without wisdom falls of its own weight" -- Sophocles

Interesting points.

Michael what do you think if I reef the sails enough would that make it a more manageable boat for solo sailing?

Also maybe two 30-45 lb bags do you think would work?