Going Solo

Kernow Buoy · 19 January 2005, 20:43

Setting aside any difficulties regarding launching and recovery and being sensible in relation to conditions weatherwise is solo ribbing safely viable or a definate no no? If viable what additional precautions should be taken by a lone ribber?
Kernow

gingercoastie · 19 January 2005, 20:46

Tell everybody you can when and where you are going, and even more importantly when you will be back.

Do not try anything to daring to start off with, maybe have a couple of trial runs pottering around the bay, that sort of thing until you are really confident.

Even Ellen Mcarthur had to start somewhere.

Nasher · 19 January 2005, 20:50

Not a problem as long as you have a VHF, a Kill Cord and a few sensible provisions on board. Toolkit, spares, etc. And let someone know when you expect to be back, and what to do if you're not back by a certain time.

I launch and recover my 6.25M Ocean by myself off a roller trailer all the time. I'ts hard work, but possible.

Nasher.

EdwardH · 19 January 2005, 22:52

I solo quite a bit down here as I often taxi people across the harbour and then return on my own.. (doesn't sound extreme i know - but its a BIG harbour). I have been out in open seas solo a few times and the more you do it, the less scary it gets but the hardest thing is keeping an eye on a following sea...

jwalker · 19 January 2005, 23:22

Don't do anything silly, have good preparation, be confident in your ability, respect the sea and enjoy.

Andy · 19 January 2005, 23:24

1/ Kill cord!!

2/ Kill cord!!

Oh and remember your boat will go like a bat out of hell with less weight on board and may well handle differently.

And remember the kill cord!!

Ian Jones · 20 January 2005, 00:07

I have launched and recovered a 6.5 meter rib so many times by myself!!
And I've been out in weather up to a force 6 by myself a couple of times!

I made sure I had my kill cord on!!
Made sure people knew when I'll be back and where I was going!!

I also let someone know I was coming with an average ETA at my destination!!

So as long as your confident of the boat and safe! with as many people as possible knowing where and when you will be back you should be fine!!

Ian J

DJL · 20 January 2005, 00:39

Make sure someone knows where you’re launching from, where you’re going to be cruising and what time you expect to return. Ensure they know what to do with the information. You can always log your passage with the coastguard.

Generally just be careful and make sure your wearing suitable clothing. I always wear my dry suit and carry a VHF radio on my lifejacket. Kill cord!

I would also stress if you get into difficulty, however small, let the coastguard know. You don't have to declare a mayday or pan-pan - just a normal call. If things get worse the CG will already know what’s going on.

Solo ribbing is great fun - Enjoy!

Rogue Wave · 20 January 2005, 00:45

Ribbing is so much more fun when you are on your own.

Safety is paramount though. So make sure you have the stuff to survive being thrown out. TPA lifejackets spare kill cord etc the advice her so far is good. I much prefer ribbing on my own cos you aren't responsible for the safety of others then.

Launching and recovery aint a beef on your own but make sure you have plenty of rope so you can tie the boat up to summat whilst getting the trailer. It's s lot easier to do in a dry suit or waders

Hightower · 20 January 2005, 01:23

All of the above and I've noticed everyone mention Kill cord, but don't forget your Auto inflating Lifejacket as its even more important. Pleasant solo cruising.
Andy

jwalker · 20 January 2005, 01:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

..It's s lot easier to do in a dry suit or waders

I go a along with that. And make sure there aren't any wee bu**ers about who'll hide yer car keys when you're parkin' the boat.

Swifty · 20 January 2005, 09:44

Only thing to add to the above comments is, when solo I wear an extended kill chord which enables me to get to the bow/stern without disconnecting myself from the KC. Also the KC is clipped to the waist band of my lifejacket, not just looped back on itself. Extension is about 4 foot with a bowline in one end and a metal clip at the other.

Ian Austin · 20 January 2005, 10:12

hi all

When i go out on my own or on an extended trip, i always were a floatation suit and a life jacket, warm hat and a pair of gloves, take something to eat and drink, make sure you were enough clothing, you can always remove if you get to warm.

Good luck with your trips

My first loooong trip was from Brixham to the Solent

and another comming up soon

Rogue Wave · 20 January 2005, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swifty

Only thing to add to the above comments is, when solo I wear an extended kill chord which enables me to get to the bow/stern without disconnecting myself from the KC. Also the KC is clipped to the waist band of my lifejacket, not just looped back on itself. Extension is about 4 foot with a bowline in one end and a metal clip at the other.

If thrown out How close would you be to the prop before the engin cut out?

DM · 20 January 2005, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Ribbing is so much more fun when you are on your own.

Yeah, yeah. You're only saying that because you've got no mates.

DM

TQBoater · 20 January 2005, 12:19

I would suggest having someone around the first time you launch and recover just in case you need a hand until you get your routine worked out.

Also pick a quiet time at the slipway the first few goes

The Bryster · 20 January 2005, 12:46

Spent a fair time on my own in my previous 5m and now SR4 and been through some seas in it. The boat will handle quite differently for sure.
One good thing is that you only have to worry for your own safety, which means not having to turnaround every time you launch of a large wave to see if your passengers are still aboard!
Be confident, but don't push yourself. I keep my mobile in an aquapack within very easy reach, and its a cardinal sin to not wear that kill cord!
I only really go solo in Carrick Roads and perhaps a mile into Falmouth bay and it's always good to be in sight of those top coastguards Boyz and girlz!

Scary Des · 20 January 2005, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

If thrown out How close would you be to the prop before the engin cut out?

Even with a short kill cord the engine will still be going fast as you and the boat go your separate ways

The kill cord really only ensures that the boat stops and maybe close enough for you to swim after it. Having said that with a lot of wet weather gear and a bit of wind blowing the boat away the distance between you and your boat can be too far

Harbinger of doom

Des

MarkWildey · 20 January 2005, 13:05

Taking the correct precautions makes anything easy. With the advent of EPIRB's and Sat phones you are not really on your own.

I went from Poole to Brest ( more or less ) on my own and was quite happy that I had taken all measures to insure I was safe and just enjoyed the trip.

Also if you heard me sing you'd wish you hadn't come with me.

Cheers

Mark

Scary Des · 20 January 2005, 13:14

http://www.mcmurdo.co.uk/?Menu=17&Pa...ts.asp&ID=1017

These are also good, always have a pack in my jacket

But I seem to remember that there was a move to ban then

Des