A single-handed sailing dinghy is small, fast and has a retractable centerboard. it is often cat-rigged, with a mainsail and no jib. applications. both individual enthusiasts and sailing clubs use these craft for recreation, training and racing. the best-known designs include the optimist, the finn and the laser.. Single handed dinghy sailing has a special pleasure and a challenge which some find uniquely satisfying. there are a number of single handed dinghy classes available and which class is the best depends on personal preferences, abilities and sailing venues.. Re: dinghy for single handed river or estuary sailing originally posted by seajet a gull or heron would be ideal - and are popular with dinghy cruisers - the heron in particular is a gorgeously proportioned boat; but they are very heavy to get up a slipway on your own !.
Any dinghy that is designed to be single handed will not handle at all like a keelboat. you will get more tactical racing experience sailing a laser in close quarters than sailing a jib equipped single hander in a vacuum. daysailors that can be singlehanded that respond more like a keelboat are the o day daysailor and a flying scott.. Whether you’re racing or cruising, sailing shorthanded requires a change in the mindset of the individual as he or she takes on every role in the operation of the boat. boat setup and handling. once the decision is made to sail shorthanded, the main thing to concentrate on is the ease of handling of your boat.. For 18 of my 37 years of sailing i have owned, cruised, raced and single-handed fractional rigged cruising boats from my folkboat in the 1970's to my current boat which i have owned now for 12 years. i have owned, cruised, raced and single-handed masthead rigged sloops and cutters..
