Comments on: Sailing on, single handed

By: Elizabeth Tyler

Elizabeth Tyler — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 13:31:18 +0000

I would just like to thank you all for your kind comments and encouragement. It means a lot to me that the response I have had from all directions has been so positive. I am now even more convinced that what I am doing is the right thing, both solo-sailing and writing about it. It cannot be stressed too often that being able to take over and single hand the boat is important. Not just doing it once but getting routined. I learned / am learning the hard way. Don’t wait for an emergency to force yourself to do it, do it now!
PS to Karen, For photos I use a gorilla tripod which can attach to anything anywhere on the boat. The pics and video sequences are taken with a Canon 5Dlll or Gopro.

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 11:42:17 +0000

Hi Elizabeth
Loved your story and especially the pictures. Such good Single handed pics must take a lot of skill and patience.
I’ve just started undertaking small challenges to pretend I’m single handing on short legs of our cruising trips. (My husband is on the boat so I’m not really single handing.) Just the other day I finally felt like I was not on the verge of panic when I did a short stint that took us to and out a cut and into the open sea.
Finally, freeing a prop. I was intrigued by your experience because just the other day I discovered fishing line wrapped around our prop. I dove dozens of time to get it all cleaned up! A small thing but what a great feeling.
Thanks for your story and keep writing.

By: elizabeth Benson

elizabeth Benson — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 18:09:08 +0000

My partner died in May; our circumstances were just as yours; it is so inspiring to read that you carried on and kept sailing! I love sailing, really want to keep continuing on our journey, so will keep reading your blog every time I feel uncertain, scared, (which is most of the time)!

By: Debbie

Debbie — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 14:45:37 +0000

I have been through the loss of a husband and carrying on alone. My heart breaks for you and I applaud your attempt to carry on alone. There will be times when you will wonder why you have made this decision, but please don’t doubt yourself and your abilities. Carry on, enjoy your lifestyle, I am sure that your husband would be extremely proud of you. We, fellow single handed women cruisers, are very proud of you.

By: Iris Voorhees

Iris Voorhees — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 11:54:38 +0000

Oh Elizabeth, how I respect your choice! My husband passed away a year ago March and we had sailed for 26 years, never owning a boat but chartering and being crew on our friends boat in the Caribbean and the Med…..I was always first mate and now that he is gone, I am floundering in my desire to get out on the sea and sail as you are doing! Bravo!!! You are my heroine!!! Sail on! Wish I was you crew! Anytime!!
Iris

By: Robyn

Robyn — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 18:45:39 +0000

I have often wondered what I would/will do if my husband goes before me. We have lived aboard most of our adult lives and I can’t imagine giving up sailing. Your story moved me and I can relate to so much. I wish you many more years of sailing and adventure.

By: Kaci

Kaci — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 14:43:03 +0000

Smart sailing, Elizabeth! Your courage to “try”; your clear way of telling us the signs, solutions and end result of the propellor fouling (it happens to everyone eventually, unless you quit sailing;); your mentions about short sail, big bay, resourcefulness with technology, not panicking and most especially… figuring this out for YOURSELF are brilliant. Proud of you and hope to meet someday, somewhere.

By: Tone Elin Solholm

Tone Elin Solholm — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 13:40:23 +0000

WOW!!! I am extremely impressed by your courage and guts! Have no words, really. Just wanted to let you know that you from today are one of my personal heroes. Safe sailing

By: Laura ann Reed

Laura ann Reed — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 11:19:21 +0000

I am so moved and impressed by
your courage! You are an inspiration-
Thank you-