Poll: Longest cruising yacht for single-handed sailors?

Longest cruising yacht for single-handed sailors?

  • 27-29ft

    Votes: 8 5.0%

  • 30-32ft

    Votes: 13 8.1%

  • 33-35ft

    Votes: 29 18.0%

  • 36-38ft

    Votes: 45 28.0%

  • 39-41ft

    Votes: 19 11.8%

  • 42-44ft

    Votes: 47 29.2%
  • Total voters
    161
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yodave

yodave

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I'm looking for a broad range of views from forum members on the longest cruising yacht for a single-handed sailor assuming that sailor has average skills, not a seasoned professional. All input greatfully received.

Thanks
 
I find that sporty yachts become unmanageable over about 45-50' (spinnakers are altogether out of the question much over 30' IMHO). That said boats with slab reefing, multiple sail controls, no side thrusters, etc will leave you in a pool of sweat entering or departing harbours! A reliable autopilot is an absolute must (plenty of spares must be carried offshore)

Fully gizzmoed up boats like Discoverys Oysters, etc are fine up to about 70', but if anything goes wrong you will need a support boat - even taking a tow would be a nightmare!
 
dom: Thanks for your reply. I hadn't considered adding an option over 44ft. Perhaps that was a bit short-sighted of me.

If any other forum members want to vote for bigger than 44ft, please just leave a reply quoting a number.

Thanks again!
 
length is not a good determinant of suitability of single handing, so the answer has to be 42-44 (or as Dom says, even bigger). There are some boats in your smallest category which are hopeless for single handing.

What size boat is suitable for you depends on your type of sailing, the configuration of the boat, particularly in relation to stability a balance, and the way that the sail handling gear is arranged. The biggest problem with length/size is parking the thing, but once you get past that, size is less of an issue, and in some ways bigger is better as generally stability is greater.

I have been single handing for 30 years in an old style 26' and a 37' AWB and leaving aside the parking bit, the latter is easier under sail because it is directionally stable and everything can be done from the cockpit.

If you asked the question as "what is the most common size for single handers" to help you make your choice, then it would likely be in the 30-40' range, partly for economic reasons, partly because that is the range where there is most choice, and boats of that size usually have the sort of capability, both sailing and living that meet most needs.
 
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Provided you can get the sails up or have power assist almost any size will do when sailing.

It's when it comes to parking the goliath that you start to wonder.
 
Berthed next to a friendly ozzie couple in Dieppe and they gave us a tour of their boat: http://www.svkatherine.com/

They're sailing an X-65 between the two of them, with one often resting below on passages, so effectively single-handed. Including flying a spinnaker (they're racing that thing). Of course it helps that everything is electrified and controllable from an iPad. But with those toys, a even a 65 footer is no problem - not even at the dock (there's bow and stern thrusters, remote controlled of course).

If you don't have toys you have to know tricks. I can recommend Duncan Wells' book on that: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stress-free-Sailing-Duncan-Wells/dp/1472907434/

Edit: I'd say, pick the size boat you need, then learn to handle it well rather than restricting yourself to a too small boat because you're worried about the handling.
 
Tranona, Daedelus, and Yngmar: Thanks very much for your thoughts.

As parking the boat is typically an inherent part of the process of going cruising, I’m thinking that leaving that aside for a moment is fair enough …that is apart from just before you’re coming into a crowded marina. Right about then, being on a smaller boat would be a better proposition.

Power winches and electrical aids all add to the cost, but then that probably isn’t critical if you’re purchasing a sixty-five-footer. So to be clear, I’m thinking sub-£500k well-made cruising yacht, rather than a sixty-five-footer crammed with power toys.

I guess it’s about reaching a balance that you’re comfortable with both physically and mentally. It’s about having a yacht that you know you can park when you’re out on the water, so that you can enjoy your time out there, rather than being stressed and fixated on how you’re going to get into port. That’s what I’m trying to understand via the poll; it’s both sides of the equation – sailing and parking.
 
BTW, locks are a nightmare single handed without thrusters on anything much over 30' - no two ways about it! You can try the springing malarkey, but if anything goes wrong ...:o
 
My own boat is nominally a 45 footer, but actually a bit bigger. I do single hand it from time to time and normally sail with just my wife, who helps entering and leaving a berth, but as I am fairly lightly built I regard it as being about as large as I can handle on my own. It might be easier with an in mast main than with my full batten job, and an electric genoa furler as fitted to a lot of Amel yachts would make it easier still. Some boats, like the Amel Maramu are designed to be sailed by two people and are probably quite manageable by one despite their larger size.
 
Bitterend said:
why have you stopped at 44 ??? I know a guy, not young, who regularly sailed solo on his Swan 59
Click to expand...

Quite so. Bigger boats get easier berths, more shoreside help ... and yet you can run up and down the decks, and they have massive inertia (which goes up with the cube of their length, whereas windage only goes up in proportion to the square of length. Bigger is indeed better.
 
I think that you are looking at this the wrong way.
Rather than asking what is the biggest you can sail single handed shouldn’t you be asking how much accommodation and room one person needs and choose accordingly?

My 28ft Beneteau First has ample accommodation for one and has all the comforts of home (H & C shower etc). If I have guests it will sleep four in comfort, it is a doddle to park and sails well. Why would I want anything larger?

John
 
I agree with the view that size in itself does not matter half as much as the way the boat is set up. If you want to sail solo, do it with the boat you happen to have, but take good long look at it and assess what has to be changed or adapted so you can manage on your own.
Coming into or leaving a berth will always be the most difficult bit, but you will soon refine your techniques and develop a sense for what kind of maneuvres will pose the least problems.
I find that sailing solo makes you a better yachtsman, as you have to think things through beforehand and you learn to anticipate better than if you have crew who can put things right if you cock up
 
I am 67 and single hand a 44 ft cutter. The only powered item I have is an electric anchor windlass. As I anchor almost all the time this is essential for me.

I will fly the sym spi on a pole in benign conditions but these are rare as I am out in the Eastern Carib where the trades blow so I am more likely to be deciding on one or two reefs before setting off.

I meet the odd guy single handing larger but not many. Often French on Amels at 53 - 55 ft with electric everything.
 
Retired in Crete said:
I think that you are looking at this the wrong way.
Rather than asking what is the biggest you can sail single handed shouldn’t you be asking how much accommodation and room one person needs and choose accordingly?

My 28ft Beneteau First has ample accommodation for one and has all the comforts of home (H & C shower etc). If I have guests it will sleep four in comfort, it is a doddle to park and sails well. Why would I want anything larger?

John
Click to expand...

It's about time you got a new sail cover though John. ;)
 
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