A Guide to Solo Sailing

Solo sailing offers an unparalleled communion with nature. It's a test of self-reliance, a chance to push your boundaries, and an experience that leaves an indelible mark on your soul. However, venturing out alone requires meticulous planning, unwavering determination, and a deep respect for the power of the sea. 

This comprehensive guide explores the world of solo sailing, equipping you with the knowledge and resources to embark on this life-changing journey.

The Enchantment and Enormity of Sailing Solo

The allure of solo sailing transcends the thrill of adventure.  It's a journey of self-discovery.  Uninterrupted by crew, you have the time and space to connect with your inner voice and confront your fears.  Every decision, from sail trim to weather, and navigation rests solely on your shoulders.

This fosters a sense of empowerment and accomplishment. It teaches resourcefulness. The solitude allows you to develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world – the symphony of sounds the wind makes upon the sails. The playful dance of visiting dolphins swimming alongside your vessel, and the breathtaking vesture of a star-studded sky reaching down to kiss the vast ocean we travel on.

The enormity of this undertaking shouldn't be underestimated.  You are the captain, navigator, engineer, chef, and crew all rolled into one.  Physical stamina and mental resilience are paramount.  

You'll encounter fatigue, loneliness, and potentially dangerous situations that demand quick thinking and decisive action.  Adverse weather conditions can test your seamanship skills, requiring a cool head and a deep understanding of your vessel's capabilities and also your own.

Preparing for Your Solo Voyage: Planning is Paramount

Solo sailing demands meticulous preparation. Here are some key areas to focus on:

Choosing Your Vessel:  Selecting the right boat is crucial. Look for a well-maintained strong vessel with a proven track record for solo sailing.  In this case, size does matter – a smaller boat can be more manageable easy to manage, and more cost-effective, while a larger yacht offers better seakeeping, performance, and comfort. A smoother passage, larger living quarters and room for storage space.  However the key considerations should remain, seaworthiness, ease of handling, and self-steering capabilities.

Safety First: Invest in robust safety equipment, people often think of a life raft, this should be your last consideration, a well-found vessel is the first requirement, you may want to read my page about why Alloy yachts should be a major consideration for ocean cruising. 

Pumps: The next item should be onboard emergency equipment, Pumps, big pumps, many pumps, portable pumps, and manual backup pumps. Also the most important aspect test your pumps.

Test your pumps work, every yacht I sail must prove to me the pumps work, it's easy, get several bucks of water and dump them in the bilge. Time how long it takes to empty the bilge, now go test the other pumps on the yacht. If they don't 

work fix them before you go to sea.  Also, test your manual backup pumps.

Stop the leaks: Once the pumps are running, you then need to stop the leaks, boats only sink because of two reasons they have too much water on the inside of the yacht or too much fire on the inside that melts your hoses or through hulls and then sinks.

If you have a hole in your hull, you need methods to stop the water coming in, and you need to do this fast. Imagine having 1200L of water an hour coming into your boat, been there had that happen, 10 men with buckets can become very motivated, and the reason I carry timber bungs on every vessel I sail on.

On TinTin, I also carry flat timber ply and timber beams to use as braces, I also carry rubber pads to places between the timber and the hull to squeeze the water out. I have saws, drills and screws to makes timber patches fit the hole, and to hold the patches in place. I also carry 2 part underwater epoxy and a range of other items.

Don’t let your boat burn: You are sailing on an explosive mix of fuel oils, LPG, explosive paint products, Lithium batteries and soft furnishing. How many fire extinguishers do you have, do you have a fire blanket, are your portable lithium batteries charged in a charging burn bag, do you even have a fire plan? 

Sinking takes a little time before you get wet feet, normally you can fight it. But a fire can consume your vessel in seconds leaving standing on the Bow in your jocks if you're lucky.

I have 5 fire extinguishers and 2 fire blankets. I know it's not enough, I once had a car accident and my car caught on fire a truck stopped and emptied 2 large extinguishers into the car, 2 minutes later everything I had was a charred mess.  I was standing on the side of the highway in shorts and a t-shirt it was freezing. It can be a lot worse.

Well If you survive fire and sinking you then need some assistance.

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), personal locator beacon (PLB), and a comprehensive first-aid kit. Ensure all equipment is regularly serviced and readily accessible. File a detailed voyage plan with responsible parties, outlining your route, estimated arrival times, and emergency contact information.

Self-Sufficiency is Key: Stock your boat with enough provisions to last your entire journey, with a buffer for unexpected delays. Consider onboard water desalination and purification systems and learn all maintenance skills to address potential mechanical issues. Mastering celestial navigation may not be required but it can make your journey interesting. Understanding how to use marine weather forecasting tools is also vital for safe navigation.

Practice Makes Perfect: Before venturing out alone, hone your sailing skills by taking sailing courses or joining crewed passages on similar boats. Practice sail handling, emergency procedures, and sailing in different weather conditions.  The more experience you have, the more confident you'll be at sea sailing solo.

If the opportunity presents itself, find an experienced solo sailor who sails long coastal and ocean passages, try and sail with them or better still get them to sail with you on your vessel. You will learn a great deal and more importantly you will gain the confidence to sail solo. 

If you cannot find a mentor, start small, day sail often. Then conduct an overnight sail, then overtime add more days. Before long it will be a week and you'll find yourself visiting a new country.

If you cannot find a mentor visit my contact page I often take crew.

Weathering the Journey: Embracing the Challenges and Rewards

The vastness of the ocean presents a multitude of challenges.  Weather patterns can change rapidly, demanding constant monitoring and adjustments to your course and sail trim.  Loneliness is another inevitable aspect of solo sailing.  Learning to cope with solitude and finding ways to stay mentally stimulated is essential.  Having a communication plan with loved ones back on land, packing reading material you enjoy, and even keeping a logbook to document your experiences can help.

However, the rewards of solo sailing are immeasurable. The sense of accomplishment upon reaching your destination, knowing you navigated the seas by yourself, is unparalleled.  

You'll develop an intimate connection with the ocean, experiencing its power and serenity firsthand.  The journey fosters a deep sense of self-reliance and teaches you to trust your intuition and resourcefulness.

Solo Sailing Resources and Communities

The world of solo sailing should not be without its support network. You must maintain your team or family network. we might be a solo sailor but we are not an island, of course, there are those individuals who are, this is their loss.  The people who have your back are the true friends, maintain those links. 

There are also those you can reach out to when things turn to shit, your motors, sails, electronics, create your team.

Inspiring Stories of Solo Sailors

History is rife with tales of intrepid individuals who dared to sail the oceans alone.  Joshua Slocum's pioneering solo circumnavigation in the late 19th century on his small sloop, "Spray," remains a testament to human resilience.  There are also many modern sailors I admire, most are not racing sailors, they are just genuine humans doing in their own style.

Singlehanded female sailors like Jeanne Socrates and Ellen MacArthur have shattered preconceived notions and inspired generations of women to take on the challenge. These stories serve as a source of inspiration and a reminder of what's possible. Then there are the less known young sailors such Holly Martin from Wind Hippy sailing, big heart and great spirit.