I have tried singlehanded sailing (Tornado, self-tacking jib) a few times, but I still experience some problems sailing downwind with spinnaker.
Which sheet should I keep in my hand (main?, spinnaker?) ?
If I have to point a little bit higher (e.g. to avoid a collision), what is the best way to get rid of the additional pressure ?
Thanks
ceitzi

I've recently sailed Tornado single handed with spinny. It is a real challenge. I've only launched the spinny in light conditions while single. Seems to me, the main can be left cleated and near the centerline position, as heeling force will come from the spinny. Just keep the main and/or traveller line close/easy to reach as a last resort if you want to release it in a hurry. Plus, the spinny needs constant adjustment as puffs hit and apparent wind angle changes. Remember to head down in the gusts to control it. Easing the sheet as you head down only helps keep the power up, which is the opposite of what you want.

Enjoy!
Mike.

Ceitzi,

I cleat the mainsheet (also near centerline) but keep some slack and a finger through it with the hand holding my tiller (keeps it easy to find). I hand hold my spinnaker sheet. If I feel the need to let things go, I release the spinnaker first, then the mainsheet. This goes for heading up to avoid obstacles or when the hull comes up too quickly and bearing off isn't correcting the problem adequately.

I heard of a particularly good skipper sailing the Inter 17R who cleated the spinnaker sheet and "pumped" the main (not sure if he pumped the sheet or traveller) to keep the boat going fast. I haven't found this easy to do.

I feel the best method when sailing single handed with the spinnaker is to use one hand to hold the tiller, another hand to hold mainsheet, your third hand to hold the spi sheet and your fourth hand free to scratch your .... [insert appropriate part of anatomy here].

A very loud manic scream is a good way to avoid collisions.

Rob.

I am about to adopt the cleating Spi Sheets on my Inter 17 Euro. to allow me to play with the mainsheet tension and Traveller as required.

I think I will probably adopt the following:

Always (except for very short periods) have the Tiller in my Aft hand.
Cleat Spi sheets to allow changes to mainsail sheet or traveller only.

I currently believe that you will have more gain by playing the Kite Sheets to achieve VMG on a dead run.

I also believe that when trying to make a mark on a tight(er) reach the only way to gain hight is to dump the traveller.

My 2 penny worth anyway....

Ceitzi,

A tornado is a pretty powerful boat to be singlehanding with a spin. That being said, on the I17R, I and most of the guys I have sailed against, cleat the main ( to save the Mast!) and work the spinnaker sheet. To point higher, like Simon says, let the traveler down. On distance races on long spinnaker runs, we cleat the main, cleat the spin sheet, go to the back of the boat, trap out with foot in strap. Boat is controlled with traveler only! You may want to say a short prayer also before during this!

Tom Turlington
I17R #124

You could work the main also to point a little more I guess .......

I would tend to agree with you, Thom, cleating the mainsheet would tend to keep the "backstay" on for the mast. Not that I have seen any masts crumble from this, but I know there are many expert sailors that do not advise releasing the mainsheet while the spin is up or under load. I think this has something to do with the height of the spinnaker bail above the forestay/shrouds (unsupported). Mr. Roberts (ARC/SC) had a rule of thumb posted somewhere on this topic.

I don't singlehand often (much less race that way), but in a jam the traveler is usually the first to go (it's easier to recover afterward). Big jam and the spin sheet goes. Bigger jam, and the boat goes over anyway!

Hey Waterbug,

Thanks for your support. By the way, I have seen one crumble. No wait, I rather heard one " POP." Well, that is what I can remember it sounding like when I broke my mast. (I was in mid-air 1/2 way through a pitchpole. When I came to the surface the boat was upside down turtled pointing back the other way. 2' of mast and sail was bobbing above the waves. Not a pretty site! and of course, there was rigging and line everywhere.)

I had the main sheet really loose. It was may first year on a spinnaker boat; first carbon mast. It was a gust of approximately 25+ knots (maybe more) from the edge of a storm that I was riding home. The ride was good until I got that gust. Knowing what I know now though, my mast was probably binding like a batten the hole time before the break in those winds without support.

By the way, I have had my main sheet come loose in 18 - 20 knots before and didn't break the mast.( wind was rather steady)

Tom

I think it (Mast load) has to do with the difference in speed between the boat and breeze. Whilst maintaining momentom it is quite safe to twist the main off. But when you nose dive and the boat deccelorates the mast has allot more load on it and a breakage is more likely if you have released too much main sheet.

Thanks for all the input and advice. I'll be trying that as soon as the weather gets a little bit warmer.