Jeanne Socrates

First off…Who are you? Where are you from? What would you consider your Home Port and sailing locale?

My name is Jeanne Socrates. I am from Ealing, West London, England. No real home port, maybe Hamble/ Solent area/Cowes, UK …my sailing locale is the world!

Please describe your sailboat. What type of boat is it? Year? Make? Model? How long have you had it? Any major modifications made to your boat for solo sailing or offshore sailing?

I have a 2009 Najad 380 cutter/cruiser. I have owned the boat for one year and basically watched the boat being built. Some of my modifications have been leading lines back to the cockpit, extra winches/jammers, windsteering (Hydrovane), solar panels/wind generator (Kiss)/diesel generator (Fischer-Panda), furling cutter rig (normally rigged as a  sloop).

How long have you been sailing? When did you decide that the solo experience was for you?

I have been sailing since 1994. My husband past away in 2003 and I decided that I wanted to continue sailing solo–and I have.

A piece or pieces of gear you would not do without? Self-Tailing winches? AIS? Egg Timer? Gimbaled cup holder? What do you value and consider vital for safe, comfortable Singlehanded Sailing?

Self-Tailing winches/AIS/Timers/GPS/windsteering/Autopilot/Harness/Tether

Most memorable trip/passage/ adventure you have had so far sailing solo?

Circumnavigations 2007 – to present time – especially in S. Atlantic headed towards S. Africa from Brazil in Dec 2009.  Also B.C. to SF in May 2006 with AP & instrument failure in fog off Pt Reyes plus catching crab-pot(s) on prop, so losing steerage…

Worries and or concerns when you are out solo? Pirates? Tankers? Whales? Flying fish? What is on your mind?

Just nasty weather!

What is your favorite thing or things about being out in the middle of the ocean by yourself?

Bright sun & good wind… sailing well in preferred direction…wonderful!

Solo sailors who have inspired you to do what you do?

Ellen Macarthur

Future sailing plans or aspirations?

Keep on sailing!!

Why do you think people are drawn to solo sailing?

Some: losing lover/best friend/partner  …. some: to escape a situation… the rest:  to get  out sailing despite everything… (can’t wait forever to find suitable crew!)

And now for the rapid fire, stream of consciousness, quick response section of the questionnaire…

Hank on or Roller Furling? Roller
Wheel or Tiller? Either
Fin or Full keel? Either, or… Either or long fin
Dacron or Kevlar? Dacron for ease of handling (but I’ve got Spectra at moment!)
LED Tricolor or Deck mounted Kerosene Running Lights? Led tricolour
Mast Steps or Ratlines? mast steps – wonderful!
Depth sounder or lead line? SounderI’m not that old!
Bucket or a well plumbed head? Head. Bucket for back up.
Water or Whiskey? Water
Whiskey or Rum? Either/Both!!!
Rum or Kool Aid? ?????
SSB or Sat Phone? SSB
Large meals or Steady Snacking? regular meals with snacks available for rough weather
Coffee or Tea? Both
Dodger or No Dodger? dodger essential!  (presume you mean awning over companionway? – language…!  In England, ‘dodger’ means canvas along lifelines….)
Autopilot or Windvane? both essential if making both long-distance passages & inshore trips
Traditional Boom Vang or Rigid BoomVang? I have rod-kicker (rigid vang) – makes for easier reefing from cockpit
Fresh water or saltwater showers? Fresh 
Solar Panels or Wind generators? both (- wind more effective)
Three Strand or Spectra? depends on use…. not alternatives….

For more info on Jeanne check out her Website