help_outline Skip to main content

ECA Logo Version 11 

Slideshow
Header Slideshow
Add Me To Your Mailing List

Ensign Sailing Forum

Single Handed Safety Tips?
Author Last Post
Would be very interested to hear how others get back on their Ensigns. I’be found if I put both hands on the starboard aft deck (side where the motor sits) and kick, I can vault myself up high enough to then pull myself up on the deck.  But only have one or two shots at that before you get too tired I think. 

--


-- 
Doug Hanks


All of these are good suggestions. I will add a couple things. I have sailed, an Ensign many times single-handed but I was also racing. There were other boats on the water looking after me. I personally would wear a safety tether the ceiling by myself. at a minimum, I would fashion a foot sling and have it accessible for boarding if I fell overboard.  Finally, if I was sailing single-handed in the winter or early spring, when the water temperature has a potential for hypothermia, I would carry dry clothes and a towel on the boat, and if affordable wear a dry suit.

Sent from my iPhone

These are all good practices when single handing. A couple more thoughts:

- In my area (New York City), the radio is more likely to get a quick response on the water. When single handing, it is lashed to my PFD with a short lanyard--if I go overboard, it's going with me. If the phone is the best means of communication for you, I’d find a way make sure it won’t sail away with the boat if you’re not in it.

- I have an outboard that spends most of its life in the cuddy. When single handing, I put it on the back of the boat while still on the mooring more often than when I have crew. It’s a lot easier to do it there than when bobbing around or getting pushed somewhere bad by the current if the wind drops.

- All of the standard safety best practices are even more important when single handing, for example:
  - Let someone (responsible) know where you’re going and when you expect to be back
  - All sailors need to carry a sharp knife
  - Bring plenty of water
  - Dress appropriately

I’m curious what others have to day about getting back into the boat. Ensigns aren’t the easiest boats to board from the water.



An old man's imagination in February turns to sailing in the Summer. I thought a good time to plan ahead for safety tips for single handling - and appreciate your advice. I am entering 3rd year of Ensign sailing in an inland lake (about 1.5 miles across - and long). I cruise for pleasure - and don't race (yet).


While I try to be cautious, I can appreciate things can go pear-shaped at just the wrong time. The worst I can imagine in falling overboard and watch her sail away without me. I see these as basic safety steps:

1) Always were PFD. Mine is non-inflatable type and has breast pockets. Good choice?

2) In these pockets, keep a cell-phone with waterproof covering - although phone is supposed to be water resistance. Challenge is to keep in the pocket -- and not laying on the bench.

3) I don't think CG monitors this area -- so not sure value of hand-held radio? Sheriff does patrol waters in summer - and I assume reachable with 911.

4) Even if boat is still reachable after falling in, (I did it once at the mooring) I found it near impossible to climb aboard. Is a permanent ladder essential equipment?

5) Lake has a lot of motorboat traffic, so possible to get a rescue that way -- but just as likely to be run over. You know how they are .


thanks for any pointers for safe single-handing boating.

Steve

Return to Forum
Sponsor Number URL address
Sponsor 1 https://www.quantumsails.com/en/default
Sponsor 2 http://www.triadtrailers.com/
Sponsor 3 http://www.ussailing.org
Sponsor 4 http://www.northsails.com
Sponsor 5 http://www.spectrumphotofg.com
Sponsor 6 http://www.defender.com
Sponsor 7 http://www.ensignspars.com
Sponsor 9 http://www.patterson-marine.com
Sponsor 10 https://stores.coralreefsailing.com/ensign_class/shop/home
Sponsor 11 https://zbloksun.com/

ENSIGN CLASS Sponsors