I like my "tiller tender." It works well enough for the brief period when I
have to go forward.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Flying Tadpole" wrote in message
...
Only one of those is essential. A tiller lock or loop will keep you going
in most directions without having to stand to the tiller. The autopilot
will break down when you most need it (and besides, as a single hander,
you're supposed to be on watch the whole time). You don't _have_ to sail a
yacht with a rig using a jib at all. (RF can jam). With an "easy to
handle" design, winches become an enjoyable luxury but not a necessity, so
ST winches go into the non-essential classes too!

While we're at it, get rid of the standing rigging other than for a bit of
additional support when in really rough weather. Set the masts up so they
can easily be lowered, in a seaway, by one person, to get at halyard jams
etc without using a bosun's chair or climbing a pitching/rolling mast.
And so on.


--
Flying Tadpole

-------------------------
http://www.ace.net.au/schooner/
http://music.download.com/timfatchen

Scotty wrote:
Essential add-ons for single handing; Auto pilot, RF jib, halyards
led aft, ST winches.




"DSK" wrote

What makes a boat "easy to handle"? Size? A powerful windlass &

roller

furling? Self-tailing winches? Halyards led aft? I have a number of
things rooted in the basic design of a boat, and which cannot be

added on.