Tacking a Single Handler

by Ed
(Little Rock, AR)

Describe a smooth tack on a small single sail monohull. Do you face forward or aft? How do you transfer the mainsheet and tiller from one hand to the other?

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Hi Ed,

Luckily I was sailing a single handler very recently, so I can answer you question with relative ease.

Firstly, you would check for any boats that would impend you way. Then you put your body weight slightly to leeward to start the roll. When the mainsail begins to flap sit on the old windward side so that the boat rolls. Finally sit back up on the new windward side with the tiller extension behind you. When ready, change hands.

Throughout the entire manoeuvre you must face forward (unless you are sailing an aftmain boat).

The way I change hands, is to take the hand that is holding the mainsheet down towards the back of the boat and hold on the the tiller. I then let go of the tiller with my tiller hand and hold on to the mainsheet. With my new tiller hand, I flip the tiller extension over and let go of the mainsheet.

Best Regards,
Alex