Single-handed boating

[mobione]

I know I'm not ready for this yet (see my other post) but what do people think is the largest boat that can be regularly used single handedly?

I presume the main issues are mooring and keeping a look out. With inch-perfect docking skills and a radar these could be overcome though.

 

[kindredspirit]

The biggest problem is coming alongside the pontoon finger with a strong wind. You may have set it up perfectly but if the wind is strong and blowing you off the pontoon, no matter how fast you are running out from the cabin or skidding down from the flybridge, you'll find yourself yards away within seconds.

For singlehandness, I would plump for a Botnia targa. Or anything with a side door on the cabin. Best of all is a rib! It stays where you put it!

 

[theguvnor]

I only use a 26` Singe engine diesel with outdrive on the Thames. Locks & mooring no problem but when I say "single handed" I mean that I lost my left arm in a m/cycle accident many moons ago ! Now THATS single handed!

 

[Ifraser]

Its all down to experience and the type of boat...A light planing boat will blow away from a pontoon very quickly but I can confidently single hand a 38' 15 ton displacement boat. Its also a lot down to layout for example a Nelson 38 with an outside helm would make it much easier...you could rig some quick mooring type system to get a spring line on fairly quickly then lock the boat in on the engines. At that size it does take some techniques and experience. In general up to 30' is probably more manageable....Iain

 

[hlb]

Agree. I dont really like going out alone, find it boreing and as said. Getting back in with any wind at all, dam near imposible with a fly bridge boat.

 

[Riggy]

I regularly use a 28ft single-diesel Mobo, single handed and find few problems in berthing (we have a Northerly-wind-prone marina berth) and just do as advised by old boaty friends...have plenty of fenders out both sides, get her into the berth and use ropes to pull her in and secure. Although as Kindredspirit has said, if you are wanting to berth on a finger with windage blowing you off, that is very difficult and not advisable (personal safety wise) In that situation I would simply go and moor up somewhere else (unless there is someone ashore offering to take your ropes).

 

[DAKA]

I cruise long distance single handed in a Corniche 31 FlyBridge and enjoy it.
Last year I left Chichester , refueled in Dover and had a quick lunch, then I carried on to Lowerstoft. Unfortunately the Yatch club refused to let a 'Motor Boat' refuel or I would have made it back to Grimsby in a day ( 300 nm).
If I had waited for crew the calm sea state could have been lost and even with 3 crew 'back sides' will not let you cruise 300nm in a day.

Berthing is just as tricky on your own as having your crew telling you and the rest of the marina what you are about to hit.

If the sea breaze does pick up then I make a point of making a lot of engine noise and smoke so I look incompetent, this always gets people running with fenders to help protect their boats.

I do not have a bow thruster.

When things go wrong out at sea and they will, I find it easy as you do not have to spend time trying to reassure your crew , you just get on and fix the problem.


Through choice I would take crew every time but if the choice is put to sea in calm conditions with no crew or wait for crew and depart in a poor sea state I know what I enjoy.

I am about to change to a 40ft Flybridge with no bow thruster and I will Take her out single handed when conditions are right.

Remember to advise your Insurers.

 

[trev]

I single hand quite happily in a Sealine 365, mostly on the upper Thames. The boat is 40 ft oa with twins and a bow thruster, which takes the 'edge' out of close quarters maneouvring.
The main thing is to ensure all your warps are led aft and try to find a mooring with bollards, or at least rings.
Single handing on open water is a doddle, in fact with just myself and 'er indoors aboard its virtually the same thing, as she always has her head stuck in a book.

 

[D3B]

Are you the same person who had a letter posted in this months MBM? i will be spending a bit of time along the East Coast this year some of it single handed and would like to make sure i keep away from raggies who are being awkward. would hate to put too much Wash up em.

 

[Alastairdent]

I regularly single-hand (or with kids - worse!) my 50ft, 18 ton barge. Wind is the main problem, and moorings where I have to get off the boat to tie up. The two combined are a nightmare.

Make sure you have fore springs lead aft on both sides, if you get a fore spring on, you can leave your engine ticking over and it will be held against the mooring for long enough to finish tying up.

On long trips, make sure you can deal with being 'caught short' and hungry. A big problem on rivers where you can't just drop out of gear and leave her drifting for 5 min.

 

[hlb]

Ang on. I can manage our 18 ton 50ft barge alone, no problem. But then, the deck is just about level with the bank and it dont go anywhere very fast. But it's much different with a planing sea boat. MF is much more controlable, but it's moved before you can teararse round the boat. Agree about peeing though!!

 

[DAKA]

Dear Dougie,
you asked if it was my letter in this months MBM regarding single handed boating .
Yes, that was part of my letter, thankfully MBM chose to edit the original.
I best be careful here but I will send you a PM. if you really want the detail.
Lowerstoft is an important link between the South and the Humber in that there is 100 nm between fuel stops.
I am told Lottery Funding was awarded to the Royal Suffuk and Norfuck Yacht Club to provide facilities to aid boating, who can on occasion agree to let you have fuel.
1999- Only agreed to half fill tanks
2000-Took the water hose pipe from us.
2001-no fuel, no berth
2004-booked a berth and fuel, but when they saw I was a Motor Boat
said no berth, no fuel unless I have Jerry cans.
I went under Bridge to a new Marina who stayed late to refuel me and were very helpful.
2003- I primed my wife to speak Yachtie in the Bar "now dear you are pulling the forsail across too soon stopping me go about", she replied "my feet have not touched ground since Dover, and you didn't notice the wind shift" The restaurant was opened up just for three of us and we were treated to silver service.
Yes I have made some spelling mistakes , you will have to work out which ones are deliberate and which ones are a cover !

 

[KevB]

I think you need to check your insurance before single handling your boat. I'm sure mine states the insurance is invalid if doing so. Must check mine tonight.
btw I'm with GJW

 

[Ifraser]

You're right...the insurance company will definately want to know....mine insist on a larger excess for single handing but with my families lack of interest in anything other than lounging on the boat I reckon I'm better off single handed in the event of any kind of incident.....

 

[Riggy]

[ QUOTE ]
You're right...the insurance company will definately want to know....mine insist on a larger excess for single handing but with my families lack of interest in anything other than lounging on the boat I reckon I'm better off single handed in the event of any kind of incident.....

[/ QUOTE ]

Insurance policies do vary somewhat...mine /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif says I can go single handed a maximum of 50 miles per day during the hours of sunrise and sunset.

 

[MidlandsOnSea]

Most of the replies refer to the difficulties of mooring single-handed. On occasions when I've been single-handed (like the time my sole crew jumped off the boat alongside a pontoon we were passing - not the one I was mooring alongside!), I've always found someone ashore more than happy to take the lines. Just potter and ask someone on the pontoon, or radio ahead and ask for marina staff. In difficult conditions, it's the seamanlike thing to do and nobody minds giving a hand to someone who is taking care to avoid denting other people's boats. Mooring in marinas seems to be a spectatre sport, so you might as well have them help you rather than stand there watching as nerves make you screw up. If someone's ready to take your lines, you'll be more relaxed, and probably won't need them.

 

[BrendanS]

This is one of those topics where there can be no definitive advice.

It's up to you and your levels of confidence. Single handed boating is great fun for those that enjoy it, and the only way to suceed at it is to practice. On the other hand, if you don't enjoy it, don't do it.

The vast majority of my boating is single handed, purely because I enjoy being out in conditions when most would already be at home, or heading for home, and I don't want the distraction of worrying about how the crew feel about this, or what their mental state is. Taking a 21' powerboat long distance is something few people do or enjoy, and I haven't yet found crew that get the same feeling of satisfaction from it, hence would be crew I'd want onboard.

Single handing for others would be simply taking the boat out for the sociability of going boating in good conditions, or going fishing in company, or simply the ability to take the boat out when no mates are free (years ago when all my mates were single and without families, this wasn't an issue, now all my mates find problems clearing decks for a weekend, and so for that matter do I)

It really depends on what you want out of single handing

 

[oldgit]

Re: Single-handed boating with Capt Bligh.

Must agree with most of above postings.Think you will have use your own common sense to know when not to boat alone.Much prefer to have folks aboard,but sometimes perfectly happy to go out on own.Will normally mention to someone roughly where will be going and what time to expect back.Reckon thet size of boat does not really come into the equation but will depend just how nippy you are on your pins.Will normally prefer that wife or friends do not get with mooring and stuff,however some folks like to help out and will always get them involved if they want to help.

 

[the_wanderer]

My own boat is only a tiddler but I have handled boats up to seventy two foot (narrowboat) single handed. I have found that it is most convenient if you keep both mooring rope ends in the cockpit thereby being able to step ashore having full control over the boat immediately. that is always assuming that you have taken the way off of the boat beforehand..... if you don't like getting wet!

Don't do what I did once and leave it in reverse and catch your trousars on the throttle! A most interesting situation! Wasn't funny at the time.

Regards.

Alan.