Best singlehanded, bluewater sailboat (not "caravan on keels")

[[194497]]

I can't believe I read through this whole thread, and the SS34 never got a mention! These days, I sail an old SS34 racer with an Aries wind vane solo, and it's easy to see why it was the choice of several famous adventurers around the world. They are such a pleasant boat to sail.

I've always fancied the S&S SHE 31 too.

 

[E39mad]

Our mooring neighbour has one. He has sailed her round the world. On his own. Not the fastest thing on the water, but will look after you in all the necessary ways.

If that is Fathom, he has just put it up for sale after over 10 years of ownership and a solo circumnavigation.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

If that is Fathom, he has just put it up for sale after over 10 years of ownership and a solo circumnavigation.

Has he now. We are away atm, no doubt we’ll see him on our return. He has a young lady in tow these days, maybe he’s looking for something more spacious.

 

[Straightman21]

Hi folks.

This is my first post but I promise have done my 'due diligence' by reading other related threads first and I am aware of the problems in asking for a "best of" anything recommendation ... but I have a specific angle I have not seen asked and I understand might be best served by links to other places as I am looking at a blind spot in my own awareness.

I am look for an economical, singlehanded, bluewater sailboat and not "caravan on keels".

I don't mean to offend anyone else's taste and requirement, and I understand there are perfectly good reasons to go for comforts, but I am exhausted by trawling through all the perfect adequate AWBs to find what I am looking for (... and I am starting to wonder if I should be look at older racing stuff of which I know nothing).

It seems the vast majority of boats are aimed at stuffing in as many people in as possible, including the wife and her kitchen sink, and that the 4 birth-er is the industry standard form. I'm not after that. I'm looking to escape her ... kind of like when a man has a mid-life crisis and buys a Harley-Davidson with a single seat to make the point clear.

I'm looking for a singlehander with good long distance bluewater capacities and am willing to accept low head heights and spartan facilities, e.g. single bunk but more storage/tank space. (However, I am headed off to warmer places and would prefer some ventilation, meaning that some of the more airless low-profile cabin designs are out). In terms of preference, I'd say; wood, steel, GRP (... or if it has to be GRP to have a lot of wood in the cabin) with an inboard engine and a proper head not a portapotty.

I'm aware of most of the obvious good choices around the 28 foot mark and, at present, Folkboat or FB derivatives seem to be the more obvious choice. There are many to choose from and many are either raw or have already been customised. I've also had a look at some of the 20 - 22 mini cruisers which are interesting, but they seem to go for really high prices considering what they are or what the money would buy elsewhere.

What I am thinking is that although this is not an obviously commercial design it must be a fairly common ideal and that, perhaps, there is something in the vintage/classic world that exists ... Or that is a stage a few people go through and once they have it out of their system, or become domesticated, move back to a more comfortable design, so there may be the odd custom designed boat coming up now and again.

Other boats which have caught my eye for other reasons are the Kingfisher 30; strong and with large fuel and water tanks, and a Van de Stadt Zeebonk; steel & built like a tank (as in Panzer tank). Where my knowledge is weak is on potentially lighter & faster stuff.

Thanks. Hope this interests others too.

I wouldn't swap my Nicholson 32 for any other boat. Simple as that.

 

[Birdseye]

Cutlass 27. Put a wind vane on the stern of mine, added an inner forstay to take a storm jib then had to close my business and go and work for someone else curtailing my plans!

Had to chop up one of those at the club - couldnt give it away and it wasnt in that bad a condition. Old british boats are a difficult sale.