Capability to handle a 27ft Sports Cruiser single-handed

[Granthsmith]

As my first boat I'm looking to get a 27ft Monterey 265 and although I'm going to get various RYA courses as training, I wondered what the likelyhood was that I would eventually be able to handle this single-handed? The boat has a single engine on a Bravo 1 leg so I guess not the easiest thing to control when mooring, especilly solo. Would a bow thruster help to make this feasable or should I forget the idea all toghther? (99% of the time I would have at least 1 crew but just wondered if this sort of boat could be handled on your own)

 

[Whitelighter]

Easy Peasy

Single handing is one of the best parts of boat ownership - the ability to go at a moments notice when you find sudden free time withut having to hunt for crew is a plus, but just being out there on the water alone is magical.

I remember when I first took one of my boats out on my own I was nervous as hell but its all about planning and preparation. Once you get your boat and have some practise and have built up confidence it will come for sure.

On a side note, the Wokingham chapter are meeting (as we do every month) in Wokingham tonight. You would be very welcome to come along, its a great group and a good way to start picking up hints and tips. Plus enjoy a pint or two.

 

[[2068]]

As my first boat I'm looking to get a 27ft Monterey 265 and although I'm going to get various RYA courses as training, I wondered what the likelyhood was that I would eventually be able to handle this single-handed?

Likelyhood is 99%.

Just choose benign conditions for the first few attempts (don't be pressured by sunshine and an F5) and you'll wonder what all the fuss was about, given that you are "prepared" each time with a plan, and lines / fenders in the right place.

dv.

 

[neale]

It's very doable. You will need to think ahead a bit more with things like fendering and ropes and maybe give a bit more thought to how the wind/tide will affect the boat and how you can possibly make use of them rather than trying to fight them. If I am on my own in my 25 footer, I usually take a line from the midship cleat to the helm and get that line tied off sharpish once alongside. The boat is only light so as long as it is secured with a midship line it is easy to tie up properly in your own time.

I have fitted a bow thruster and it makes close quarters handling of a single engined outdrive boat sooooo much easier as once the bow gets the wind behind it your single engine doesn't give the same number of options as a twin. Quite possibly the second best upgrade I have done to the boat after converting to diesel! Having said that I berthed single handed for many years without one so it's not essential.

 

[lovezoo]

There was a guy in my old marina in the UK who used to take his flybridge out singlehanded all the time, negotiating two locks in the process. Depending how competent your crew are you might even find it easier to do it on your own.

 

[jfm]

As my first boat I'm looking to get a 27ft Monterey 265 and although I'm going to get various RYA courses as training, I wondered what the likelyhood was that I would eventually be able to handle this single-handed? The boat has a single engine on a Bravo 1 leg so I guess not the easiest thing to control when mooring, especilly solo. Would a bow thruster help to make this feasable or should I forget the idea all toghther? (99% of the time I would have at least 1 crew but just wondered if this sort of boat could be handled on your own)

After you've got comfortable handling the boat, and in the right weather etc, it's definitely single handable. I agree everything Whitelighter says about it being good chillout time. I take a 58er (and before that a 42er) out single handed occasionally (in calm weather).

A bowthruster would help but isn't absolutely necessary

 

[spannerman]

Its always a bit nerve wracking at first especially if there are people watching which is often as boats are a magnet for landlubbers.
But it will get easier I promise, the best thing is to take it out somewhere quiet and practice coming alongside a buoy or quay from various directions until you are completely at home with twirling the steering and shifting from forwards to reverse and back to position it exactly where you want it. Make sure you have all the fenders out first so it doesn't matter if it goes a bit pear shaped, you will learn the best way to approach a mooring and it will become second nature, it just takes practise to 'know' your boat and how it reacts to wind and tide so you can use them to your advantage.
A golden rule to remember is that however many knots speed you have. you also have to get rid of them at some point to stop the boat, so less is better in close quarters manouvering.
I get to test all sorts from 20ft to 70ft and mostly go out alone, I always have a look at the wind indicator first on nearby sailboats and plan my departure and approach so it goes smoothly.
I had to take a Princess P50 out yesterday to test the autopilot and it was a tight berth with barely the boats length in front of me before I could turn through 90 degrees and leave the marina, but it actually gets easier with bigger boats with 2 engines and bow and stern thrusters, and they don't blow about so much, but if you get it wrong there is a lot of weight in motion!
Go for it and enjoy it.

 

[gjgm]

A bowthruster would help but isn't absolutely necessary
***
I think I would change the emphasis on that. For someone starting out, and possibly looking singlehanded, I would say its almost imperative, unless he is naturally brilliant

Back to OP.. its also different if its your regular berth.. you can get one of these flexible poles things that holds a mooring rope, making it easier to get in. You can also have the lines exactly right for that berth.Also, some berths are just easy.. nice angle, plenty of room, no wind/gusts/tides to worry about. However some are more tricky- and its worth having a look at where your marina places you, rather than just assume you must take the first one they show you.But note that if you boat when your neighbours are about, most will be perfectly willing to jump up and take a line for you. And if you go somewhere new to you, its perfectly ok to ask someone to catch a line, or, if needed ask the marina to send someone down to the pontoon to help.
Sure, when you are able to berth a 20 knots, you might not need all that help, but its a community thing.. everyone needs help sometime, so dont feel awkard about admitting your abilities, and dont be embarrased EVER to ask for a hand. For one thing, we all prefer to help you in, than you ram our boat

 

[MapisM]

The boat has a single engine on a Bravo 1 leg

Perfectly doable, just a matter of a bit of practice.
Since you say that you're still "looking" at that boat, just be aware that a duoprop sterndrive (either Volvo or Bravo III) would be better with regard to maneuverability.
With a single prop, you'll find it easier to approach the pontoon on your stbd side, assuming that the prop is right hand.

 

[benjenbav]

I would say I am single-handed 99% of the time! Partly because, save for the voices in my head, no-one really wants to spend any time with me and partly because, the rest of the time I am with my family and my wife is fully engaged looking after our disabled children.

I have, however, always had twin engined boats so have limited experience of manoeuvring with single engine installations except when the reversing catch on a DP290 leg failed and for a couple of months I became reasonably handy at berthing on port engine alone.

FWIW my tips are these:

Preparation - As others have said, have lines ready and in the right place and think about what needs to be done.

Practice - I berth in a locked marina and so get plenty of practice at dealing with handling issues both in terms of berthing and going in and out of the lock on my own.

Common sense - If the conditions are not right, there'll always be another day. Build up confidence and use the wind and tide to your advantage rather than fighting them.

Training - A couple of days having an instructor with you on your boat is invaluable. I bought my first mobo after a lifetime of sailing and, despite my general familiarity with boats, on Saturday morning I was afraid to turn the key. By Sunday evening I was much happier.

 

[Mr.Completely]

I have to totally agree with Whitelighter, being out on your own is one of the truly brilliant parts of boating whether it's to just enjoy an beautiful evening or a run down the coast for a charter the next day, fantastic.

And fully agree with what jfm said, I frequently take up to 50ft out single handed too, but it is about confidence and knowing your ability mainly during close quarter manuvering, knowing that you can handle all those small hiccups calmly and without incident. Having watch thousands of people in marina's my opinion is that panicing is very often the cause of the real trouble.

Have to also agree with jfm on the bowthruster too, it isn't necessary but it will add some confidence as it does provide a good way out of trouble. My thought though are that it should be more of a back up, so many people become reliant on it and IMO are worse of because of that. I think it should be treated as a great bit of kit to call on if you need, not when you need.

 

[BartW]

as others on her say, a 27 footer single handed is perfectly possible,
also without a bow thruster,
additional to all advice above I would say,
if you get stucked in a difficult situation, wind, tide, and you're single handed
you can alway's call for help from somebody on the pontoon,
or somebody from the marina,
most boating peoble don't mind to give a hand.

enjoy the good feeling when you haved moored your boat single handed and succesfully for the first time

 

[Philiz]

You're going down the right road getting on an RYA course. Powerboat level 2 would probably be the best one to go for. You can do it on your own boat if you wish.
You're right in thinking a Monterey 265 isn't the easiest boat to a control. I had a go with one a couple of weeks ago, and must say my 30 foot shaft drive is easier and more predictable. A bow thruster will help, and it will offer you some back up if you do get it out of shape. If it has a tent cover, try and moor it with it down as windage will be a big influence even in the lightest of breezes. Plenty of fenders would be good but it's not easy putting the forward ones out as there is little or no walk round and the foredeck slopes away from you.
As other have said, ropes fore and aft ready to step off with, and don't be afraid to call for someone to catch a rope if there's anybody about. Chances are, if you make a good job of it there wont be a soul in sight, of course if you cock it up, there'll be a crowd watching!
Get plenty of practice while you have crew, become aware of the prevailing winds and other influences and notice how you need to set up on approach.
Before you buy, try it out and make sure it's the boat for you and your needs, speak to folk who have similar boats and learn the good and bad points.
Good luck and welcome to the world of boating, enjoy!

 

[oldsaltoz]

.
It should be made a criminal offence to go out single handed.

Having all that fun on your own, share with a friend when possible, you never know your friend might throw a bucket of water over you just after the boom almost knocks your head off.

It's a good idea to take along a friend on the first few trips and get them to do as little as possible, when you have completed a few trips and crew have done nothing and you managed to get and back into your pen without damage or panic, you can think about going alone.

I must admit I have sailed single handed on a number of trips, mostly short delivery runs or to pick crew in a nearby port. In short I like to have others aboard, that way I get inside when the sun is high or the rain pelts down.

Avagoodweekend......

.

 

[AustinPowers]

.
It should be made a criminal offence to go out single handed.

.

Rather, it should be made a criminal offence to go out without being properly qualified to do so.

ICC Power (up to 10m) is a starting point and a qualification is an absolute requirement in continental Europe.

 

[rafiki_]

As other have indicated. It is all down to prep, and taking it slowly. Initially there is the temptation to twirl the wheel, and thrash in and out of gear. This will end up in a drama. Plan ahead, and prep yourself and the boat, and you will be fine.

 

[Ripster]

I used to have Monte 250 CR - used it alone a few times - no probs. As others have said, just prepare your lines and kit well. Mooring will be the most difficult, but if all your lines are ready then very doable. BT always helps, but is not a given, just gives you more control without having to use lines.

I used to use a holding line midships (still do on a 33ft FB) both for launch and mooring. Practice, practice and more practice is the key.