Obi
Well-Known Member
P.S. It is laid strip by strip rather than a roll.. I have photos of that too if anyone needs me to prove I am not lying
Up to what Loa boat would you consider it practical to singlehand?
- Thread starter steve yates
- Start date
westernman
Well-Known Member
I would resort to binoculars........I’d need help from many folk, but especially specsavers, to park that. The far end would be somewhat beyond my comfort zone.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
As ever, personal opinions are often based upon their experience limits.
All our ropes are led aft - but works brilliantly.
- Modern ropes and pulleys make light work - and electric halyard winch even more so.
- no tripping on ropes on the coachroof - rarely need to go forward, but ropes go underdeck anyway
- all ropes neatly tidied up and dropped into the rope bin.
geem
Well-Known Member
So you know two singlehanded sailors who are sailing offshore. Hardly a indicate sample of the singlehanded sailing world.
my life long pal built his 38ft boat specifically for singlehanded sailing. He has sailed the Atlantic and Pacific with it. Another friend has been across the pond and back, Azores and back. 37ft boat.
Another good friend sails a 38ft boat. He took a 21footer around the world single handed. He chose a 38ft boat for his ability to sail it long distance singlehanded offshore. Do you sample have any more credibility than mine.tp these are just my friends. I offered an opinion. You offered a counter opinion. You chipped in about dirt cheap insurance. I am not sure why. But who cares. It's just a forum.
You gave the impression you sailed owned a 57 foot boat when you now admit its a boat you skippered. Maybe bending the truth
Obi
Well-Known Member
Let's just address your latest inaccurate trolling, you said "You gave the impression you sailed owned a 57 foot boat when you now admit its a boat you skippered. Maybe bending the truthSo you know two singlehanded sailors who are sailing offshore. Hardly a indicate sample of the singlehanded sailing world.
my life long pal built his 38ft boat specifically for singlehanded sailing. He has sailed the Atlantic and Pacific with it. Another friend has been across the pond and back, Azores and back. 37ft boat.
Another good friend sails a 38ft boat. He took a 21footer around the world single handed. He chose a 38ft boat for his ability to sail it long distance singlehanded offshore. Do you sample have any more credibility than mine.tp these are just my friends. I offered an opinion. You offered a counter opinion. You chipped in about dirt cheap insurance. I am not sure why. But who cares. It's just a forum.
You gave the impression you sailed owned a 57 foot boat when you now admit its a boat you skippered. Maybe bending the truth
"I said:
"I had a 9 tonne long keel ketch, 40', skeg hung rudder, which was a dream to park once I got my head around it and found a method that worked for me. I met a lot of sailors around UK and France who thought this was too long. I completely disagree.
I found a 57' Jenneau in strong (F8) cross winds to be about my limit of comfort. However, I would go longer and heavier with the right set up."
English comprehension 101 - FOC for you.
I HAD a 40' Ketch. That means Ownership.
I FOUND a 57 - means I had experience of.
You said 'Maybe bending the truth
" The lies you see are all in your head Geem because someone disagrees with your second hand opinions, and in order to make yourself more comfortable you accuse them of lying.More than that actually. If you knew anything you would know solo sailors of oceans are actually a very small population.
Tiresome. Have a great day Geem, it was almost nice chatting but there is no point going over the minutiae of your misunderstandings or accusations. If you want to value the opinion of your mates that is understandable.
What is less intelligent is defending a second hand opinion to those with first hand experience.
Cheers.
geem
Well-Known Member
Let's just address your latest inaccurate trolling, you said "You gave the impression you sailed owned a 57 foot boat when you now admit its a boat you skippered. Maybe bending the truth
I said:
"I had a 9 tonne long keel ketch, 40', skeg hung rudder, which was a dream to park once I got my head around it and found a method that worked for me. I met a lot of sailors around UK and France who thought this was too long. I completely disagree.
I found a 57' Jenneau in strong (F8) cross winds to be about my limit of comfort. However, I would go longer and heavier with the right set up."
English comprehension 101 - FOC for you.
I HAD a 40' Ketch. That means Ownership.
I FOUND a 57 - means I had experience of.
You said 'Maybe bending the truth
More than that actually. If you knew anything you would know solo sailors of oceans are actually a very small population.
Tiresome. Have a great day Geem, it was almost nice chatting but there is no point going over the minutiae of your misunderstandings or accusations. If you want to value the opinion of your mates that is understandable.
What is less intelligent is defending a second hand opinion to those with first hand experience.
Cheers.
Minerva
Well-Known Member
Goodness me - some folk could argue at some length about best way to cook a tin of beans!
doug748
Well-Known Member
As others have hinted, I think you have to think about the term - Singlehanding
* There tends to be a group who mainly day sail in and out of the same marina, maybe anchoring for the afternoon or night and then back to base. Strikes me this could suit anyone with a relatively big boat 45 foot maybe. There are fewer surprises and lots of scope for planning in advance.
* Then a group that cruises singlehanded, perhaps in Western Europe, where they will meet lots of different harbours large and tiny with matching facilities, depths and quality of moorings. They have to take it as it comes and think more on their feet. Seems to me a smaller boat would be in order, a comfortable size might be below 34ft.
* A third group cross oceans, they have more scope for timing their arrivals and departures, benefit from the comforts of size when at sea, make less arrivals and tend to sail a lot and then settle in one place a good deal. A larger boat makes sense and the worlds your lobster - again perhaps up to 45ft might suit.
Of course they all overlap, there is a lot to be said for the suggestion of going smaller rather than larger.
.
* There tends to be a group who mainly day sail in and out of the same marina, maybe anchoring for the afternoon or night and then back to base. Strikes me this could suit anyone with a relatively big boat 45 foot maybe. There are fewer surprises and lots of scope for planning in advance.
* Then a group that cruises singlehanded, perhaps in Western Europe, where they will meet lots of different harbours large and tiny with matching facilities, depths and quality of moorings. They have to take it as it comes and think more on their feet. Seems to me a smaller boat would be in order, a comfortable size might be below 34ft.
* A third group cross oceans, they have more scope for timing their arrivals and departures, benefit from the comforts of size when at sea, make less arrivals and tend to sail a lot and then settle in one place a good deal. A larger boat makes sense and the worlds your lobster - again perhaps up to 45ft might suit.
Of course they all overlap, there is a lot to be said for the suggestion of going smaller rather than larger.
.
Chiara’s slave
Well-Known Member
Tempting to reply with a Monty Python quote, but that would undermine your point.
Fr J Hackett
Well-Known Member
I single handed my Vancouver 34 ( Harken batten cars on fully battened main, roller reefed yankee, hanked on staysail, all lines lead back to the cockpit with single line reefing, strong below deck autopilot) apart from parking when it didn't matter how many crew were on board it was easy, she went in reverse like a 3 legged pig on ice. Other than that although technically not single handed but I was as the only other person fell to projectile vomiting and catastrophic diarrhoea after 6 hours for the entire trip. It was on a Valiant 50 Bermuda to Rhode Island the only then modern aids were auto pilot, wind vane and a bow thruster ( at the time almost unique and unheard of I certainly hadn't come across one). Although bumpy the journey was easy enough with a couple of trips to the mast for reefing and setting the staysail. Parking wasn't difficult and was probably complicated by the novice use of the bow thruster. The Valiant 50 is a canoe stern semi long keel and a wonderfull if now dated seakeeping vessel and was always my dream boat. I was in my late 30s then but I have little doubt that with modern equipment now in my 70s I could single hand one and even larger vessels.
To answer a previous question of why would you? Well for the typical coastal cruising that most do unless one has a large number of friends, crew or family that habitually sail with you then there is no need but if you do long passages offshore then the ability to comfortably hold high speeds which will knock days of the passage time then there is no substitute for length.
To answer a previous question of why would you? Well for the typical coastal cruising that most do unless one has a large number of friends, crew or family that habitually sail with you then there is no need but if you do long passages offshore then the ability to comfortably hold high speeds which will knock days of the passage time then there is no substitute for length.
Stemar
Well-Known Member
SImple answer to that - don't.
Unless you got it in Carrefour and the label says Cassoulet.
Poignard
Well-Known Member
dunedin
Well-Known Member
I agree that bigger boats - whether fully crewed or singlehanded - can limit the places that you can visit. Hence we put a self imposed limit on 12m LOA and 2.0m draft, to maximise the places we can visit.
But I am also in the second category of travelling far and wide - and don’t see any advantage in handling of 34 ft vs 40 ft singlehanded.
As said previously, it is changing the mindset and the techniques (doing all departures and arrivals on board - should be able to put kettle on and have cuppa on arrival without going onto pontoon, let alone “jumping down”)
And some are dismissive of things like using bow thruster (with remote) etc. Certainly must never rely on technology - for single handers anchoring is always the easiest option, and the fallback option.
But yes Slocum sailed the world without anything. But most of us accept the benefits of auxiliary engine, winches, self steering gear and/or autopilot, electric anchor windlass etc. Bow thrusters etc are just one more aid to be embraced where it helps, but not rely on if it doesn’t.
A friend sails a beautiful fast Scandinavian sailing yacht of 13m. He needed to bring it round to the hoist dock in a blustery F6+. I offer to help but he was quite relaxed. Turns out he has two retractable thrusters, bow and stern. Took all the stress out of it as he came in expertly, then pinned the boat alongside while adding ropes in a relaxed fashion. That boat would cross oceans at pace, and cruise anywhere he wants. What’s not to like.
RunAgroundHard
Well-Known Member
I am pretty sure that if a global poll of single handers was conducted it would show the biggest group to be spread around the 35 foot mark.
It’s not hard to understand why that should be with many of the reasons posted on here. Some of the folks that I follow, all sail older boats around this length. I would guess this is fairly representative of old men.
When it comes to woman sailing solo, Lauren Landers sails over 50’ single handed, Cole Brauer’s was 40’, and of course the amazing Jeanne Socrates sails a 38’er. Let’s not forget Naomi James who sailed a 53’er single handed, and Clair Francis on her 38’ Ohlson. Jessica Watson sailed solo RTW us a 33’er.
It’s not hard to understand why that should be with many of the reasons posted on here. Some of the folks that I follow, all sail older boats around this length. I would guess this is fairly representative of old men.
When it comes to woman sailing solo, Lauren Landers sails over 50’ single handed, Cole Brauer’s was 40’, and of course the amazing Jeanne Socrates sails a 38’er. Let’s not forget Naomi James who sailed a 53’er single handed, and Clair Francis on her 38’ Ohlson. Jessica Watson sailed solo RTW us a 33’er.
Bouba
Well-Known Member
Since most yotties spend all their time motoring…and use the ramming technique when parking…I don’t think they need to limit themselves to sub forty footers
dgadee
Well-Known Member
11m Dehler with central electric winch. Went round UK mostly solo. Everything to hand at the wheel. Not too far to step down. So I would think a larger boat with a similar layout would be fine. Nowadays stepping down from the side deck on most newish boats must be a problem.
ProMariner
Well-Known Member
This place used to seem nicer.
While there's no limit to what is possible, if the objective is a simple and enjoyable cruise, I'll go with the smallest boat that ticks all your other boxes. So for me, agree with 35 - 40 foot for oceanic trips, 28 - 35 for coastal passage making, and a dinghy, cat, kayak or rowing boat for daysailing. Maybe if the boat was to be my home for an extended period, the size might creep up a bit.
Have moved maxis and five hundred tonne workboats/tugboats about on my own as a younger and less cautious soul, but now shudder to consider the risks I was taking, the other day I was standing next to an HR 44, thinking, nah, too much boat, big loads to manhandle, and if any of the complex kit decided to have a wobble, it would suddenly be a complete pain in the arse.
The IMOCA 60's that so bravely take on the world in the Vendee, they have a staff of many and a couple of RIBS that get them into and out of port, not to diminish their phenomenal achievement. Eventually, the hassle factor outweighs the enjoyment, the most fun I've had in boats has always been at the smaller end, with fewer crew or singlehanding.
While there's no limit to what is possible, if the objective is a simple and enjoyable cruise, I'll go with the smallest boat that ticks all your other boxes. So for me, agree with 35 - 40 foot for oceanic trips, 28 - 35 for coastal passage making, and a dinghy, cat, kayak or rowing boat for daysailing. Maybe if the boat was to be my home for an extended period, the size might creep up a bit.
Have moved maxis and five hundred tonne workboats/tugboats about on my own as a younger and less cautious soul, but now shudder to consider the risks I was taking, the other day I was standing next to an HR 44, thinking, nah, too much boat, big loads to manhandle, and if any of the complex kit decided to have a wobble, it would suddenly be a complete pain in the arse.
The IMOCA 60's that so bravely take on the world in the Vendee, they have a staff of many and a couple of RIBS that get them into and out of port, not to diminish their phenomenal achievement. Eventually, the hassle factor outweighs the enjoyment, the most fun I've had in boats has always been at the smaller end, with fewer crew or singlehanding.
Neeves
Well-Known Member
What ever you choose, without considering this specific thread, if you sail as a couple or as a family with young children then the yacht would be best chosen and upgraded to be sailed single handed.
Two adults can be reduced to one, adult - health issues catch us, all, up - and at an unexpected young age
Been there, done that - still, a healthy couple (modern pharmaceuticals are a marvel), but slightly more cautious.
So if you and your partner can both sail 50' yacht single handed (and dock it, navigate, use the VHF etc etc) go for it. Otherwise the risks increase exponentially. Of course if you are in your 20's - you are going to live forever (but might not be able to afford the 50' ocean going Moody......).
Jonathan
Two adults can be reduced to one, adult - health issues catch us, all, up - and at an unexpected young age
Been there, done that - still, a healthy couple (modern pharmaceuticals are a marvel), but slightly more cautious.
So if you and your partner can both sail 50' yacht single handed (and dock it, navigate, use the VHF etc etc) go for it. Otherwise the risks increase exponentially. Of course if you are in your 20's - you are going to live forever (but might not be able to afford the 50' ocean going Moody......).
Jonathan
PeterWright
Well-Known Member
The late, great Bob Roberts was known to singlehand his sailing barge Cambria when his mate failed to turn up, although he generally took his dog with him. About 86 foot LOA and loading alot 160 tons of cargo. Main sheet, vangs, leeboard tackles and all gaff mizzen lines led aft, plenty of other lines handled at the mast. No electric winches but plenty of manual ones, no bow thruster and no engine. No lifelines to climb over when stepping ashore, but a solid wooden rail of about 15" - just right to catch your shin and trip you.
Peter.
Peter.
geem
Well-Known Member
In my younger years I crewed on a full carbon 33ft race boat with 8ft draft. We normally had 8 crew. We once cruised her from Lancaster to Strangford Lock with just 4 of us. The boat was a pig to sail but a very successful race boat.What ever you choose, without considering this specific thread, if you sail as a couple or as a family with young children then the yacht would be best chosen and upgraded to be sailed single handed.
Two adults can be reduced to one, adult - health issues catch us, all, up - and at an unexpected young age
Been there, done that - still, a healthy couple (modern pharmaceuticals are a marvel), but slightly more cautious.
So if you and your partner can both sail 50' yacht single handed (and dock it, navigate, use the VHF etc etc) go for it. Otherwise the risks increase exponentially. Of course if you are in your 20's - you are going to live forever (but might not be able to afford the 50' ocean going Moody......).
Jonathan
We hit some bad weather going around the South side of the IOM in the middle of the night. The foresails were not reefable. We needed to change them. The main was hard to reef in the dark. With just 4 of us, everything was super hard to do. It taught me that I never wanted to own such a boat for cruising. With a tiller, it was very important to balance the sails, sometimes this wasn't so easy to do. The helm experience was a proper work out and we had no autopilot.
Life's experiences shape your future decisions. I am glad we can sail our boat easily with one person on watch. It works until we enter a marina in strong winds, tight fairways, current running and no help from marina staff. Then it takes both of us