Can a Catamaran be Sailed by Just One Person


When I was conducting research about buying a sailing catamaran, I wondered if they could be sailed solo. I did some research to see how they were set up and if it was possible to sail a catamaran with just one person. While I was writing this, La Vegabond posted a video where Riley was onboard alone (Elayna was back in Australia preparing to have their baby). Read on, Ill tell you more.

So can a catamaran be sailed with just one person? Yes, with a few exceptions listed below, most modern catamarans are designed be sailed solo – with one person from the helm station.

Even though it is possible, there is a lot to consider when planning to sail a catamaran with only one person. In most situations, it is best to have others on board the boat while sailing to help-out when needed. Read on for some of those situations. If you are an experienced sailor, and want to give any additional advice, please feel free to comment. The newbies will be more than happy to hear from you. Afterall, it only adds to my research.

Does Being Able to Sail Alone Mean You Should?

Being able to sail solo is one of the best features of a sailing catamaran. It is especially helpful when night sailing or on long crossings that take several days like when doing a Pacific or Atlantic crossing. Times vary based on the catamaran and conditions, but a Pacific crossing can take three to four weeks. That’s a long time! Although the large, modern catamarans allow solo sailing, it is probably something that you should do with other crewmembers in the boat. Risking a half million dollar (or more) boat and your life, probably isn’t worth it just to say you did it. There are boats better equipped for record breaking voyage like the one named Guppy (read on).

This 16-Year-Old Girl Sailed Solo for 518 Days

There was a show on television a few years ago called, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader, where the contestants matched wits with 5th graders – often finding out that the 5th graders knew more than they did. This once could be called are you smarter than a 16-year-old sailor. Read on to find out.

In this case, this 16-year-old gained more sailing experience in her voyage around the world than most of us will gain in a lifetime. I have read about solo sailors in small mono hulls sailing a crossing or even around the world. A girl named Laura Dekker, at age 16 (yes, I had to repeat it), sailed for 518 days and 36,000 nautical miles alone while circumnavigating the globe on her boat named, Guppy. National Geographic made a video of Dekker’s remarkable voyage. It is truly amazing. She must be one very determined young lady. According to my research, Laura Dekker now lives in her birth country of New Zeeland and she still sails along with giving presentations about her epic, world record breaking journey. A couple of side notes to this saga. First, Guppy was not a catamaran and sadly, in 2018, Dekker donated her boat to a California non-profit organization that ran her on a reef in the south Pacific. After circumnavigating the globe, Guppy is a total loss.

When it is Helpful to Sail Solo?

It’s helpful that modern Catamarans are engineered so that the main sail can be raised and lowered and the genoa controlled from the helm station. It’s also very convenient that most of these larger catamarans have an autopilot. With consistent winds, the autopilot allows for the boat to be kept on course should the helmsman have to leave their station momentarily. Being able to solo sail with one person also allows other crew members aboard to be able to rest or sleep while one person remains on watch. Although there is no set timeframe for being on watch, many sailing vessels that I have research choose two, three or four-hour watch times.

Can You Solo Sail in all Conditions?

There are times when sailing solo may not be a good idea. I have listed some of them below. I’m sure there are more that sailors who have firsthand experience can add to this list.

Can You Sail Solo in Bad Weather?

The question maybe needs to be should you sail solo in bad weather, instead of can you sail solo in bad weather. Unless it can’t be avoided, then sailing solo may not be a good idea when there is threatening weather, or a squall is approaching. Yes, this seems to be common sense and but it is best to wake another crewmember so they are alert should you need to make some quick maneuvers. Yes, wind speeds can suddenly increase or change directions which can damage the sail, the boat or capsize it. Although extreme weather conditions can be handled with only one person and often are handled by just one person, it is good to have another person awake and present to help if needed. Sometimes the squalls form so fast that the night time solo sailor must react and take control of the situation and adapt the boat to the changing conditions without any time to wake up another mate. When risks are higher for bad weather it may be best for a crew member to sleep close by like in the saloon or in the cockpit so they are close by should the helmsman need assistance.

Can You Solo Sail and Fly the Spinnaker?

Although it is possible to set the autopilot while railing and lower the spinnaker, it may be better for one person to remain at the helm to maneuver the catamaran while the second person takes down and stores the spinnaker or having two sets of hands to take down and store it.

Can You Solo Sail Through Rough Seas?

Another time when having a second, alert crew member present is when sailing in rough seas. Rough seas may pose many potential problems and challenges and having an extra body ready to react can not only be helpful but may save some gear or equipment if fast action is required.

Should You Solo Sail Through Shallow Water?

Another time when having additional crew comes in handy is when sailing through shallow waters, narrow passages or near choral heads. The charts aren’t always accurate, so having extra eyes in the water at the bow can be the difference between a safe passage and a damaged hull. Certainly, avoiding these situations are better, but there are times when you may not have another option, but to proceed ahead. Best to have another set of eyes or more. And yes, depending on conditions, it may be best to drop the sails (crew or solo) and motor until clear of the potential dangers.

Do You Need a Crew to Drop the Anchor or Hook Up a Mooring Ball?

Anchoring or hooking up to a mooring ball is another time when sailing solo can be a challenge. It is much easier to have one crewmember dropping anchor while the other is at the helm. It can be difficult to see if the anchor is set from the helm station. It may be even more of a challenge to hook a mooring ball especially if there is a lot of current, wind or other boats moored or at anchor nearby.

Can You Dock a Catamaran Solo?

Docking can also be a challenge for a big catamaran as water currents and wind conditions can work against the docking. In a busy marina with tight spaces, there may be very little room for error. Extra crew can be eyes on deck for blind spots, they can handle docking lines and it is always a good idea to have one or two crewmembers with roaming bumpers to protect the boat from scraping or bumping the dock. Of course, in most marinas, fellow boaters are usually on the docks and willing to help with lines and bumpers if you do not have available crew on the catamaran. You can also call ahead and marina personell will be waiting to help.

Do You Need Experience to Sail Solo?

The question may be worded better, how much experience does the helmsman need before sailing solo. This all depends on the boat, the helmsman, the weather and other potential sailing challenges (some of which have been addressed in other paragraphs). For a less experienced crew, it is a good idea for a second person to be alert and available to help make and carry out sailing decisions. Two minds are better than one whether it is to decide on reefing changes, course changes or just to keep the captain company to boost confidence.

Sailing Solo Can be Boring (especially for long periods)

On a long and uneventful sail or a sail without much wind, it is nice to have fellow crew to keep your company. Yes, podcasts, books, movie downloads and boat maintenance can help to pass the time, and of course, this isn’t a requirement or as important as some of the reasons listed above, it is nice to have conversation to pass the time – especially on a long passage.

When Sailing Solo – Sail Conservatively

It is a good practice to sail more conservatively when sailing solo. That means to reef early with any threat of higher winds. Sail around any stormy areas or wait to start out until the weather conditions are favorable. Be conservative around islands and passes and stay far away from any potential obstacles.

Sailing Solo; Great for the Soul? Ben from Nahoa

I have heard from sailors that love their night solo sailing watch times. Even though it can be nerve racking from time to time when uncertainties appear, most of the time it is quiet and serene. In one of Sailing Nahoa’s videos, Ben talks about how much he likes sailing solo on night passages. He passes the time by listening to podcasts, meditating and exercising among other things. One of his comments are about how often does anyone get several hours of alone time, away from the kids, spouse, job, etc. And he says the stars are amazing and every few seconds there are shooting stars. It sounds incredible! By the way, if you haven’t checked out Nahoa on YouTube, Ben and Ashley are a Canadian couple in their 30’s. They make amazing videos about their adventures and, also give great advice to up and coming sailors in their how-to series. It’s one of my favorite sailing channels – and they sail a catamaran.

Conclusion; Should You Sail a Catamaran Alone?

So the bottom line to all of this solo sailing of a catamaran is this. Most of the large, modern Cats are engineered so that they can be navigated by a single helmsman, but the real-life practical answer is that you really do need to have crew on board to help at a moment’s notice especially during some of the circumstances all mentioned above. The modern sailing catamarans are being designed to allow more and more people, experienced and beginners alike the ability to live and cruise and sail and explore.

Hopefully if you are a beginning sailor interested in pursuing your dream of sailing a catamaran, cruising or living-aboard, you found this article to be entertaining and you may have even learned a little from it. If you are an experienced sailor, I hope that you were able to give your comments, advice and experience. Afterall, the best way to learn is through the eyes of those that have already experienced it before.

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Watch the La Vegabond YouTube video where Riley Sails to the U.S. Alone

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