What has to be done ?

Was looking for something to sail alone. I thought the Capri Expo 14.2 would be perfect, liked the furling mainsail, but the new price is giving me heart burn. So, I might have to get a used Capri 14.2, sloop rigged and then make it as single-handed as I can. Has anyone worked a double-handed rig into something that can be easily sailed single-handed ? Maybe not a Capri specifically but something comparable. What has to be done ? Is it things that a novice can do ?
Thank you
 
Not that hard to sail most anything 16 ft and under single handed

If dealing with a main and jib is too much just leave the jib down.
 
I have a used Capri 14.2 (1990) and I sometimes sail solo. When I sail solo, I ususally go without the jib, but it probably would not be a big deal to manage it. My boat does not have any furling rigs.
 
Budman,

Thank you for the reply.
If the boat is not designed as a cat boat, is tacking difficult with no jib to pull you around and the mast further to the center of the boat ?
If you are sailing with both sails do you limit the tiller movement somehow if you need to deal with a sail problem ?
 
You just have to get used to the difference in tacking with and without the jib. Get the rudder over and get the boat turned on momentum.

Solo sailing I tend to apply rudder, uncleat the jib sheet, letting the jib luff as I duck under the boom and the jib isn't really giving much help until after the main is filling on the other side of the boat and I'm pulling in the other side jib sheet...

There may be a better (faster) way to do it, but I'm kind of slow moving from one side of the boat to the other.
 
Budman,
Do you have the jib sheets brought back to the center of the boat for easier access through fairleads and then cleat them back where you're at ?
 
When I am solo, I tend to slide a little more forward along the seat so the jib sheets are within a more comfortable range, although most of the time when I sail solo I run under the main only (I am still new to the Capri 14.2 and still getting used to everything). Like @fhhuber said, I just let the jib luff while I am tacking and trim it after the main sail has been set.

If I have to deal with a sail problem, I just steer the boat into irons to slow down and let everything luff until I can correct the issue. I have not any problem tacking while using main only.
 
Like others, I solo a Capri 14.2 (I'd love an Expo too) and never use the jib (just keep it furled). It's just my preference though - to keep things simple. I haven't had any problems tacking with the main only too.
 
When you tack with the main only do you continue the turn until the main fills and then center the tiller? I have had people tell me to pick a spot on shore 90 de. to my present course and turn until I was headed there I sailed with a fellow in Mission Viejo and he said the boat might be wrong and the captain might be wrong but the sails never are when it comes to trim. I found this an interesting saying.
 
That's exactly what I do. Then make whatever minor adjustment needs to be.

...your buddy from Mission Viejo is clever
 
The "look 90 deg to find what you want to aim at for the next tack" advice is based on 45 deg to the wind tacking. Adjust the angle a bit based on how well you (and your boat) do at pointing into the wind.

Its better to turn a bit too much and have to turn back into the wind than to not turn enough.
 

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