Solo Sailing the English Channel. No Autopilot.

I had a nice breeze for a prolonged period, and it was physically demanding since I couldn't leave the wheel all day. I did heave-to once to go below deck, but a pattern of a few larger waves came and buried the bow. At Beachy Head, it's normal to encounter uncomfortable waves. It's difficult to hoist the main without a helmsman. If I remember correctly, I first unfurled the genoa to go slowly upwind, close-hauled. To hoist the main, I had to go to the mast, leaving the cockpit and hoping the boat wouldn't bear away. She's a very well-balanced boat, and with the directional stability of a deep fin keel, I had to get lucky to have enough time to go midship and hoist the main before she bore away. It was a day I love to remember. #solosailing #singlehandedsailing #englishchannel #autopilot