No second thought about double-handling

After a week's cruise on Elise, I think that I may be a little tired. Wet gear, food that doesn't taste quite like food, a bottle of wine that's half empty but plenty of toilet paper left. Or should I say "bucket paper"?

I guess that I was a little "ripe" too, despite my best efforts with baby wipes, onshore facilities, etc...For the first time in my life someone said to me "you need a shower" and meant it.
I also need a hot drink and real nice porcelain throne...

Remember, Elise has no running water, no proper galley, no heating, no stove, no table (we used the cooler), no standing headroom - not even for me. It doesn't sound too luxurious and yet I had a fabulous time. All of this may have gotten in the way of this test of character and since there wasn't much else to do, we ended up sailing :)

There may be two of us on board but doublehanded racing is taking turns at singlehanded racing. With some exceptions, we will be alone on deck while the other will try to get some sleep, eyes closed, bundled below on the quarter-berth and listening to the gentle drip of water through the cabin top slider, or the waves crashing against the hull. There is nowhere to hide and nowhere to go. We each need to do our share of the work and do everything - we are both tacticians, bowman, driver, navigator, trimmer and rail meat. Our combined skills will hopefully build up to a full complement of crew.

And knowing that there is someone else on board is very reassuring...

With some much to do and with responsibilities spread across two individuals, we have to accept that the boat will not go as fast as it can when it is fully crewed. Our reaction times are delayed, weight doesn't balance the boat well and may even force us to reduce sail area way before we would think of doing so with a full crew. Manoeuvres are slower as some of the things that can happen in parallel with a full crew need to happen sequentially.

Having said this, I believe that short-handed sailing makes you a better sailor faster. Each outing teaches you something new that you will have to deal with as no one else is around to help. And it's a lot of fun.

Above or below, there is no privacy. The majestic bucket sits facing the companionway :) The only way we can get some privacy is by splitting up, one person above deck and one person below deck with a closed companionway hatch. This may have some drawback as above deck it could be cold and wet and below deck at times, it might be a bit harsh on your stomach.

Still - I wouldn't have given up this experience for anything in the world. More detail to follow on our little adventure.