Rob Tryon

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

My name is Rob Tryon. I am from Portland, Oregon. I would consider Portland to be my home port and the North Pacific to be my sailing locale.

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 1979 Crealock 37 cutter rigged yawl that I have owned for 12 years. No major modifications other than having good quality sails built for offshore sailing, a loose footed main that reefs easily, oversized autopilot, well thought out charging and electrical system, very high quality and very LOUD stereo system.

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

Serious ocean sailing about 30 years. After reading about the first BOC race, I got curious. Then did a lot of singlehanding on the Columbia River, but did my first solo ocean trips in the early ‘90s.

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-steering; AIS is my new favorite thing; Sirius Satellite Radio; food that’s good, quick & easy. A comfortable sea berth w/lee cloth; a gimbaled stove; an offset companionway w/ a high bridgedeck; up-to-date charts and good plotting tools; jacklines, harness, tether; easy-to-use mainsheet & traveler.

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

Two come to mind. I got my ass completely kicked coming down the Washington coast one fall in my Catalina 30. The cockpit kept filling with water and I was sure I was going to die. The other was the 2008 Singlehanded Transpac – 20 days to Hanalei and I didn’t want to stop.

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

Hitting something – whales, boats, containers, logs.

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

There’s just one thing – the self-reliance. I am responsible for what happens to me.

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

Isabel Autissier, Robin Knox Johnson, Webb Chiles, Tania Aebi, Hal Roth, Jim Kellam and Abby Sunderland (well, she has an Open 40!)

Future sailing plans or aspirations?

I plan to go sailing in the future but my aspirations are to have an Open 60 and do the Velux 5 Oceans and Vendee Globe. That may not be reality, but it is a fantasy. More realistically, I’m planning to sail to HI, Japan & Alaska with LaDonna.

Why do you think people are drawn to solo sailing?

Because they’re anti-social freaks who require a little more of themselves. There’s a satisfaction in crossing an ocean by yourself that transcends explanation. Once you’ve done it, you know.

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

Hank on or Roller Furling? Hank on
Wheel or Tiller? Tiller
Fin or Full keel? Either, or… Full
Dacron or Kevlar? Dacron
LED Tricolor or Deck mounted Kerosene Running Lights? LED
Mast Steps or Ratlines? Neither..(bosun’s chair w/4-to-1 fall)
Depth sounder or lead line? DS
Bucket or a well plumbed head? Head
Water or Whiskey? Water
Whiskey or Rum? Neither
Rum or Kool Aid? Neither. NO HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
SSB or Sat Phone? Both
Large meals or Steady Snacking? Both
Coffee or Tea? Tea
Dodger or No Dodger? NO
Autopilot or Windvane? Both
Traditional Boom Vang or Rigid BoomVang? Neither–Double preventers
Fresh water or saltwater showers? Fresh 
Solar Panels or Wind generators? Both
Three Strand or Spectra? Neither. (Yacht Braid)