Can you reef on your own without using the autopilot? Dock at a pier? Pick up a mooring buoy? Do you know how to tie fenders when you are alone on the boat?
Maneuvers in single-handed sailing begin long before they are actually performed.
Your instructor has been practicing single-handed sailing for over 20 years and solo crossed the Atlantic on a 5-meter sailboat. He holds the Czech Maritime Authority's Yachtmaster Ocean ('A') qualification.
On this course, you will learn to assess what you can and cannot afford to do during solo maneuvers. In controlled conditions, you will practically train what it means to be alone on a boat.
Whether you are preparing for a sailing holiday as a couple, or want to find out if you could cross an ocean solo, on this course you will gain plenty of practical skills that will take your sailing to the next level.
Harbor maneuvers solo You will learn to dock and depart from a berth, from a pier, and at a fuel dock.
Sail handling Sail configurations for solo sailing, reefing, troubleshooting.
Autopilot and wind vane How to use the autopilot effectively, what to do when it fails, how a wind vane works.
Rest and sleep How to rest effectively, what polyphasic sleep is and how it works in practice while sailing. How to stay fit on passages lasting several weeks.
Improvised repairs and maintenance at sea Rigging repairs, cleaning the hull underwater in the middle of the ocean, handling situations with one functional hand - after an injury during an accidental jibe, I splinted my hand using a folding paddle and continued sailing.
Provisioning and energy management Planning supplies for a long solo voyage. On the Atlantic, I managed on 1,500 calories per day, a 50W solar panel, and a single gas cartridge for cooking.
Heavy weather sailing How to handle strong winds and waves alone - reefing, course selection, storm survival tactics.
Psychological preparation Solitude on the ocean is a challenge. You will learn what you are likely to encounter on the ocean, how to prepare, and how to deal with it.
The course is suitable for sailors of all experience levels who want to sail alone or with a small inexperienced crew (family, friends). You will learn everything you need for safe solo sailing - whether you are planning a weekend trip or an ocean crossing.
6 days of intensive practice aboard an Oceanis 38 sailboat based in Biograd na Moru, Croatia. 6 people on board. During the course, it is possible to take a practical exam to earn your skipper's license.
480 EUR per person. The price includes all costs except transportation and food.