Flying dutchman

[A CheeseHead]

Originally Posted by dfelsent

I’ve sailed a contender. The longest hiking stick I’ve ever used. Lots of fun, lots of power.
I wouldn’t have ever tried an FD solo. Too much to do too far apart. Well I might have tried when in my 20s. I used to night sail the contender. A blast.

I campaigned a 470 as crew, and did fairly well ...so I thought I had the 'trapeze' bit well in hand. The Contender was NOT an easy boat to sail well and, sadly, I couldn't afford the only one I ever saw for sale.

A Dutchman sailed singlehanded? The comments are on-target; everything you've gotta tweak is too far away. I tried a 505 single-handed, and I was just not big enough (5'11", 135# ... back in the day, that is).

[capn ken]

Finn is the boat aptly named !

[markiobe]

Originally Posted by mtrees

Buy a Finn if you want to sail single handed.

or if you live in the 1970s…

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by gigo07

Hello friends
Do you think one person can sail a 2 sails sailboat like a flying Dutchman ? or 2 people is a must.
what about sailing it with just the main sail, just 1 sail ?? thanks !!

I sail my Tornado Cat often alone. Jib, main, AS spinnaker, trapeze. Depends on the wind and your ability.

[GrowleyMonster]

I will assume that you mean the big boat version, not the dinghy. Since you are asking the question, I would say probably not a good idea until you get some experience, and then, a definite maybe so. '

As for the dinghy, it will be a LOT more fun with a crew. It was designed to take full advantage of a crew member hiked out. Sure, you can sail it alone, but you can't really push the boat anywhere near its potential without that living ballast leaning out to windward.

[cal40john]

I don't know of a multihull named FD, but the OP posted in the multihull forum.

[ggray]

You know, it always surprises me when an OP never responds to (or reads?) so many "obviously well considered and interesting answers"!

[singlespeed]

Owned and raced one for a few years. Of course you can sail it singlehanded. The number of sails flown is dictated by the immediate and near-term weather conditions and your actual sailing competence. It is any dinghy, weight distribution is critical. A longer adjustable tiller extension will make sailing easier. If most of your sailing will be singlehanded, expect to move sail controls to areas accessible from closer to the lengthwise center of the boat.

[mtrees]

Did not know there were still Contenders sailing. I am from South Africa where I sailed competitively in a Contender 40 years ago, it was a cold molded hull. Loved the dinghy. Left the boat with my father who neglected the cover as a result the boat was ruined