N12 singlehanding?

Jack, Luke et al...

does anyone have any experience of sailing them singlehanded?

The usual considerations are... big bloke (100kg), sailing inland only, mainly lightwinds?

I had an old baggy that I used to take out singlehanded on occasion, never seemed to be an issue, but the boat was a bit pants and eventually sunk when the buoyancy bags ripped out...

finally, adding an asymmetric... how simple would this be?

Jimbo

Edited by rogue - 05 Dec 11 at 4:05pm

Originally posted by Neptune Jeremy is actually butchering an old 12 to turn in to a single hander too, but i don't know if he's adding a kite

that's kind of my thoughts... I liked the cherub's compact shape, 12ft boats are sweet- even a mirror! I've had a recommendation to try this with a Merlin (why bother buying Hadron plans and commissioning brand new...) but I'm not sure I can be arsed with wheeling a Merlin around the dinghy park on my tod....

Maybe a N12 would be better (read 'conservative') platform to achieve what I want down the line?

As for the kite, I'm in two minds, well head over heart... not priority, but might want the option to customise and add one in the future. The current racing on offer at the local duck pond doesn't really suit it, and having a jib to play with would numb the boredom factor and offer a bit of potential family versatility.

Edited by rogue - 05 Dec 11 at 4:22pm

I think you can single hand most dinghies. I have done so in many including Int 14 (light wind for me but I've seen it done in races!), Enterprise and firefly (these can tip further before capsizing! and X1 (sweet!).

I have always assumed you cannot compete as class rules usually state crew numbers. Ranelagh seems to allow single hander 12s in their club racing which do well.

James, you should just go out and get yourself a laser!

Both my partner and I Sail it regularly single handed when the conditions are right. I'm about 75kg and can sail it up to 10-12knts before it gets too much upwind. My partner being a lot lighter only generally does out up to 6knts or so.

Running can be a bit interesting when the wind gets up a bit as you can't stabilise the boat by having helm and crew sat on the edges. THi is why I am developing a singlehanded version so that I can sail it in more wind.... Less upwind sail area, self tacking jib and a kite so that you don't need to run dead downwind.. Its slow progress (ie no progress at the minute) as garage is not warm and dry enough to do any epoxy work at the moment.  hoping to have something mid next year.... (famous last words)




Edited by Jeremyc - 05 Dec 11 at 5:52pm