This was my first day sailing alone, four weeks after finishing ASA 101 at Lanier Sailing Academy. I took the Capri 22 Hot Dog out of X Dock at Holiday Marina for four hours and covered 10.2 nm.
Hot Dog had a hank-on jib, and I rigged a jib downhaul. I ran the downhaul from the head down into the tack, and it caught on the bow cleat. Once I was underway, I took it out of the tack, and it worked better. I also lost the jib sheets early because I had not tied stopper knots.
By the end of the afternoon, I was comfortable handling the boat alone. I hove to during the sail, which is in a second video: First Solo Sail: Hove To in a Capri 22.
Lessons
Tie stopper knots in the jib sheets before leaving the dock.
Lead the jib downhaul so it can’t foul the bow cleat.
