Nick Jaffe

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

My name is Nick Jaffe, I’m 28 years old, and originally from Melbourne, Australia. I’ve just finished a 28,000km sail from the UK to Australia in a Contessa 26. I don’t think I really have a home port per se, due to the fact that the majority of my sailing has been on the move, and port to port. My boat is registered in Southampton, in the United Kingdom though…

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?

My boat is a Jeremy Rogers Contessa 26, built in Lymington, during 1972. I bought her in August of 2006, and as of today (December, 2009), we’ve travelled over 17,000nm together. She has no real modifications made, other than the addition of necessary equipment for solo offshore sailing, which at it’s most basic, is really just a windvane. Lines have not be re-routed, there is no simple cockpit-method of reefing etc…

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

I first sailed on a Taser in 2004, which I flipped on a lake. Later in 2005, I began crewing on a 30ft sloop in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne (Australia). However I soon found out that crewing was not for me, as all I really wanted to do was go somewhere, and sail in peace – It was too stressful being told what to do all the time, and all we ever seemed to do was tack around buoys… I always knew solo sailing would be for me, as I enjoy being alone, and solo sailing is the epitome of aloneness.

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?

I simply couldn’t live without my Windpilot Pacific Light windvane. It has never faulted me once, and has steered effortlessly for thousands of miles and allowed me to rest and sleep. My second most valuable piece of equipment would have to be the Mer-Veille Radar Detector I purchased in Las Palmas, the Canary Islands before crossing the Atlantic. Many people claim large shipping rarely run radar, however in my experience virtually every commercial vessel I’ve encountered has swept me with radar, and consequently been picked up by the Mer-Veille. It can of course never be entirely relied upon, but it gave me peace of mind. If I were to set out again, I’d definitely invest in a standalone AIS unit, and depending on various factors, possibly a high-end radar with proximity alarm. One of my greatest fears as a singlehander is collision at sea – It is one of the few things that we as solo sailors cannot work to avoid, no matter how skilled we are. It is simply not possible to keep adequate watch, and I firmly believe in using as much technology as possible to assist. Such an investment comes with maintaining a good electrical and charge system… Which brings me to my third favourite piece of equipment – My two 46watt Kyocera solar panels – And my fourth: The strobe and LED tri-light which are run simultaneously throughout the night.

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

Having just completed a solo voyage from Europe to Australia… It is hard to to say which was the most memorable part of it. However the trip as a whole is without the single greatest adventure I’ve ever had… Some memorable moments include sailing into Palmyra Atoll, as sharks and manta rays circled the boat… Or the elation after crossing the Atlantic in 30 days… Or waking up after nearly passing out from exhaustion in heavy conditions, to a new and beautiful day of sailing… But probably the greatest overall experience, was the show of generosity and goodwill I experienced around the globe from all walks of life.

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

Tankers… Dismasting… And octopus tentacles curling through the companionway.

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

The extraordinary sense of connectedness with everything, and the quiet realisation of the temporary nature of things. Both the calming of fear and the great heights of it… The beauty of such great expanses. True self-reliance. True responsibility… Beam-reaching under full sail at sundown, on flat water thousands of miles from anywhere.

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

Joshua Slocum, Michel Desjoyeaux, Webb Chiles, Ellan McArthur, Jesse Martin, David Lewis, Tania Aebi, Jarle Andhøy

Future sailing plans or aspirations?

To race Open 60′s, complete the North West Passage, own a huge wooden schooner, and sail the Caribbean in an open, hand-lashed catamaran.

Why do you think people are drawn to solo sailing?

Because it’s hard. Because being in an ocean is the furthest humans can physically retreat to (not including space). Because it fosters self-reliance.

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

Hank on or Roller Furling? I did hanks in the Atlantic, furler in the Pacific. Sorry. I’m a convert… Furler all the way.
Wheel or Tiller? There is no more simple mechanism for steering – Simple is good; tiller handsdown.
Fin or Full keel? Either, or… There are more factors to consider than just underwater profile. Speed records are set in fin keels, poor sailors cross oceans in full keel pocket cruisers… Whatever floats your boat, and gets you there.
Sail Drive or Prop shaft? I’ve never had a sail drive… But a prop shaft just seems to make more sense. And it’s simple… Always err on the side of simple…
LED Tricolor or Deck mounted Kerosene Running Lights? LED Tri! And a strobe…
Mast Steps or Ratlines? I had to Google ‘ratlines’ … I never had either, but I had always wished I had mast steps. To watch for reefs, and take photos from!
Depth sounder or lead line? My depth sounder broke a long time ago. Eyes and lead line… And probably and an over-reliance on charted depths!
Bucket or a well plumbed head? Head? Bucket? Ass over the rail!
Water or Whiskey? Whisky with a dash of water, thanks.
Whiskey or Rum? Rum.
Rum or Kool Aid? Might make a nice sundowner mix…
SSB or Sat Phone? Sat phone… Low power, reliable, voice & data.
Large meals or Steady Snacking? Steady snacking throughout the day, dinner.
Coffee or Tea? Coffee for breakfast, tea throughout the day.
Dodger or No Dodger? I didn’t have a dodger… But I wish I had.
Autopilot or Windvane? Windvane! Unless you can afford a B&G Gyro…
Traditional Boom Vang or Rigid BoomVang? My vang broke somewhere offshore of California… I sailed 8000nm without a vang at all!
Fresh water or saltwater showers? Saltwater. When nearing land, saltwater with a fresh water rinse if the tanks permit.
Solar Panels or Wind generators? Solar! Silent and so simple it has no moving parts.
Three Strand or Spectra? Always buy the best you can afford… Spectra on the next boat!