Hi Tom,

I've been single-handing my Tuna for the whole time I've owned it. (My friends don't like to sail).

While tacking, I don't adjust the main sheet. Furthermore, I don't adjust the traveler if I intend to tack often. I just leave the main sail where it is, sheeted in almost all the way, with the traveler in the middle. I only use the traveler once I've escaped the Oakland estuary and can tack much less often.

As for the jib sheets. I almost hesitate to tell you my own technique wrt the jib sheets while tacking. I might be doing something wrong. I used to sail with other sailors when I was on a J/24, but on my Tuna I've always done it by myself, or with friends who are not sailors and so couldn't correct me. For all I know, my technique is horrible.

When I tack, I throw the tiller alee and then briefly drop the tiller when passing through the head of the wind, so I can sheet the jib. I drop the tiller right when the jib starts to luff, then sheet the jib, then pick up the tiller again. If I time it just right, and have just the right momentum, the boat will coast thru the tack even though I'm not holding the tiller most of the time. If I time it right, then I pick up the tiller just as the boat is completing the tack.

As for reefing. I've not found a good way of doing that while single-handing. I'm considering installing a jiffy reefing system to make it easier, since my boat doesn't have it right now. At present, reefing causes me great difficulty.

I do not leave the cockpit for any reason when I'm single-handing out on the Bay. I figure it's too dangerous to walk around on the deck. If I fall overboard then there is a big chance I won't survive. I will only leave the cockpit while in the Oakland estuary, before I'm on the bay proper, because I could swim to shore there.

My boat came with a little bungee thingy attached to the tiller which I can wrap around the cam cleat for the main sheet. I think the previous owner improvised and installed it. He showed it to me while I took a test sail. It will hold the tiller in place and keep a steady course for about five seconds on average.

With regard to the 80% jib. I went looking for a used one of those a few months ago and couldn't find one. My boat came with the class jib which I think is 110% or 120%. Like you, I was thinking that an 80% jib would be useful, since winds are very strong on the Bay during the summer.

One more thing. Don't take my advice too seriously, as I don't know what I'm talking about.

-Tom W

:: Hi all,
::
:: I'm a relatively new tuna owner, and have been doing
:: great with double handed sailing. I'll bring an
:: inexperienced friend aboard to hold the tiller while I
:: raise the sails, and to work the jib and main sheets
:: when sailing.
::
:: My question is for those who have the dual main sheets
:: across the top and sides of the cabin. How do you single
:: hand with that configuration?! I am not ready to start
:: re-arranging my running rigging or install new winches
:: and blocks. Am I out of luck? Sometimes a guy just wants
:: to sail alone, ya hear? (and a single-hand race sounds
:: really fun also)
::
:: Thanks!
::
:: Oh, does anyone have any spare jibs? I'd be looking to
:: buy an 80% or storm jib for those bigger scary days.