Buzz Singlehanded Project

I weigh 13 stone. My Buzz comes up fine every time. Sealed mast, no water in.
I wouldn't sail any boat singlehanded unless I was confident in being able to right the thing after capsize.

Dry capsize: step quickly over onto daggerboard. Lean in, uncleat spinnaker and pull it into sock. Grab jib sheet, lean back and climb back in.

Wet capsize: swim round back of boat to daggerboard. Grab the board and pull down while kicking with your feet to get up onto board. Once standing on the board lean in, uncleat spinnaker and pull it into sock. Grab jib sheet, lean back and climb back in.

Lighter helms need to lean back further down the daggerboard before righting the boat. Also make sure the main and jib are not cleated or you're pulling against loads of water on the sail.

Yes she may try and go turtle or bury mast in mud if you insist on trying to climb up from inside once she's already capsized and you're already in the water. Instead do the wet routine above. Less hassle in the long run!

Nope. Its easy. Once on the daggerboard, just lean in and uncleat. A bigger stretch if you capsize on port tack because the spin sock lies on the starboard side a little. Still perfectly manageable though (probably not for midgets!).

Best wishes,

Doug

Not yet. I'm hoping to get some on in the next 2 weeks.

I can't seem to get a photographer when I'm out.

Have you got any?

I use a RWO telescopic tiller:

http://www.sailboats.co.uk/Discount_Offers~Rwo_Telescopic_Ex tension_103cm181cm_R0543.html

I try and set it up before I launch so that it is the right length for the conditions.

A disadvantage of this telescopic sort is that once extended, I tend to grasp the aluminium tube than the end grip once out on the wire. This can feel a bit slippery. I guess I need to practise more with extending it to different lengths.