Up to what Loa boat would you consider it practical to singlehand?

[Tranona]

Maybe in your world, but the guys I am referring to have all sailed oceans singlehanded. Like me, they tend to beleive that conveniences like bow thruster, in mast reefing and electirc winches are great whilst they work but you have to be able to manage the boat when they don't. I don't frequent the south coast marina scene so couldn't comment on a singlehander sailing bigger boats there

You are just proving my point - your comments reflect your limited experience.

The requirements for single handed ocean sailing are very different from mine or other UK coastal sailors. The key to doing it successfully (and choosing an appropriate boat) is to identify the potential barriers to your style of sailing and figure out ways of overcoming them. For most of us here sailing is mostly day passages and nights either at anchor or in a marina. Hence the list from Dunedin and the description of how I specified my boat. The key thing is that if we can't park and unpark our boats on our own our opportunities for sailing are very limited. Equally for those like me who are well into the last decade of expected life and no longer sprightly, being able to carry out most normal sailing functions without leaving the cockpit is essential.

 

[geem]

You are just proving my point - your comments reflect your limited experience.

The requirements for single handed ocean sailing are very different from mine or other UK coastal sailors. The key to doing it successfully (and choosing an appropriate boat) is to identify the potential barriers to your style of sailing and figure out ways of overcoming them. For most of us here sailing is mostly day passages and nights either at anchor or in a marina. Hence the list from Dunedin and the description of how I specified my boat. The key thing is that if we can't park and unpark our boats on our own our opportunities for sailing are very limited. Equally for those like me who are well into the last decade of expected life and no longer sprightly, being able to carry out most normal sailing functions without leaving the cockpit is essential.

Oh dear, I thought you had become a little more human but I was wrong. I am not going to rise to the bait.

 

[steve yates]

I would approach this from a completely opposite point of view, and ask what is the smallest yacht that would satisfy my requirements; those being:

- Seaworthiness

- Ease of handling

- Able to be properly maintained by me

- Standing headroom in the main cabin

- Pleasing appearance

- Active class association

The minimum size to achieve that would be 28-30 feet loa.

Something like this:


View attachment 199456

Good points, and I have. It doesn't equal a twister
Especially as I have one I can take and play with anytime I like, my mates on the westcoast of scotland Matter of fact I’m off up there after next weekend to take her out for a wander for a couple of weeks, in all that nice weather that lusty d will be missing

 

[Bouba]

I’ve been on a sixty foot yacht that is sailed singlehanded.....fabulous boat...I think he could set every sail with a push of a button and had powerful thrusters for berthing

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I always assume no marina staff to assist - very rare in Northern waters

No marina staff, but there are often bodies on boats already there. As soon as I rock up heads bob up out of companionways and moments later bodies come barrelling down the pontoon.

I expect I exude incompetence.

 

[Poignard]

No marina staff, but there are often bodies on boats already there. As soon as I rock up heads bob up out of companionways and moments later bodies come barrelling down the pontoon.

I expect I exude incompetence.

It's probably the sound of a bowthruster.

Guaranteed to get people alarmed and reaching for extra fenders!

 

[winch2]

I think single handing any hull length is a state of mind. Even in our little 20 footer its all too easy to forget a fender or not have a piece of running equipment chkd, prepared and ready to go. Ive always enjoyed the challenge but if Im having an off day or get distracted anything untoward can happen... and has.

 

[Tranona]

Oh dear, I thought you had become a little more human but I was wrong. I am not going to rise to the bait.

I am very human but perhaps you might consider that other people have different experiences before you make definitive statements based just on your limited knowledge. Your original post#20 is simply not true and a one liner based on one person and his boat does not help answer the question. In ppost#33 you admit to not knowing anybody who sails single handed bigger than 38, as well as dismissing aids that enable many to sail bigger boats. You don't seem to have any direct experience of owning a 38' boat which you sail single handed.

So only second hand observations but no personal experience of the issues being discussed here that might help the OP or others who might be interested.

 

[geem]

I am very human but perhaps you might consider that other people have different experiences before you make definitive statements based just on your limited knowledge. Your original post#20 is simply not true and a one liner based on one person and his boat does not help answer the question. In ppost#33 you admit to not knowing anybody who sails single handed bigger than 38, as well as dismissing aids that enable many to sail bigger boats. You don't seem to have any direct experience of owning a 38' boat which you sail single handed.

So only second hand observations but no personal experience of the issues being discussed here that might help the OP or others who might be interested.

Take a chill pill. You will give yourself a heart attack

 

[Obi]

Simply because I know several skippers who sail 37/38ft boats singlehanded. They do it successfully, without stress. I don't know a singlehander routinely sailing anything bigger. These are boats without bow thrusters. They rely on the skill and ability of the skipper.
We sail a 44 foot boat. Offshore, it is routinely sailed singlehandedly, but in shifts. There is just me and the wife onboard. We do 5 hour watches at night and unless the weather is particularly bad, we don't get the off watch crew out of bed to reef. This isn't the same as bringing the boat into a tight marina where we are glad to be 2 handed. A heavy boat can't be manhandled when it's blowing hard. Pushing a shoving into a marina berth isn't going to work. You need to get it right first time. This would be difficult singlehanded. Marina staff are not always available to assist

Speaking as one who has done it. I was a single handed on bigger and as mentioned I previously hit my comfort limit at 57' in F8 crosswind whist docking, but I still managed it on the second attempt.

To address this and a couple of points.

• My first ever yacht at the age of 35, specifically for solo blue water sailing was 40'.
• My insurer Pantaenios insured me solo sailing world-wide for less than £400 p.a.
• No in mast furling, all main-sail lines at the mast. No bow thruster.
• To correct a statement. You do not 'need to get it right first time', what you do need is a solid 'back out plan' that you can use if it goes wrong. Then come in to the berth and try again. This happened once on the 57' mentioned above.

 

[geem]

Speaking as one who has done it. I was a single handed on bigger and as mentioned I previously hit my comfort limit at 57' in F8 crosswind whist docking, but I still managed it on the second attempt.

To address this and a couple of points.

• My first ever yacht at the age of 35, specifically for solo blue water sailing was 40'.
• My insurer Pantaenios insured me solo sailing world-wide for less than £400 p.a.
• No in mast furling, all main-sail lines at the mast. No bow thruster.
• To correct a statement. You do not 'need to get it right first time', what you do need is a solid 'back out plan' that you can use if it goes wrong. Then come in to the berth and try again. This happened once on the 57' mentioned above.

How many other people do you know that sail a 57ft boat single handed?
Why would you want a 57ft boat single handed?
I assume you were third party only or it was a very low value 40ft boat.
If it's gone wrong and you hit the boat next to you in a slip, a back plan won't help. You have already done damage.

 

[Obi]

Not sure why you are trying to start an argument or the relevance of your other baiting questions. Like many people you seem to want to win points by casting aspersions over what others say. Quite frankly you are out of your depth but if you want to go head to head, I am up for it.

Never bashed a boat that I was in charge of. I might have had a minor ding in early training as a trainee; I was trained properly. I have my commercial certifications as well as my leisure ones.

Owned an Oyster. Not what most would call low value.

57' single handed. I was working.

Also, I am considering my next purchase and its even bigger because the increase size and space and luxury will suit my next needs and intentions better than a smaller yacht.

How many people do I know who sail 57 foot solo? Er. What are you getting at? How about asking first something to qualify the value of my answer such as : How many solo sailors do I know? I've met a few. How many do I know well. Less than 2. So your question has little beraring as does your third hand opinions vs the opinions of those who have done it.

I know others who have sallied 57 single handed as and when needed.

What are you going to try and undermine now with assumptions and misdirection?

 

[Obi]

The low value yacht (as indicated by Geem). Specifically bought and refurbed for solo.

 

[Rappey]

A few mentioned all ropes led aft as a must. One of the golden globe skippers gave a list of reasons why he disliked that idea. The main one being the huge amount of extra energy needed compared to doing it at the mast, the risk of stepping on the rope on the roof and going over the side and the mess of ropes all over the cockpit.
He changed it all back to the mast.
When he completed his circumnavigation and was interviewed about his changes he said it was the best thing he could have done.
A heavy boat with great directional stability is far more easier to single hand that a light weight boat of similar size.
Boats under 27ft can be a complete nightmare to pick up a mooring on a windy day as you get blown off when you lose steerage at slow speed.
I have a heavy long keel . Out of 100 mooring pickups i will get it first time 98 times. its just so easy. A light weight racer can take 10 attempts..
I appreciate the vasts majority like lines led aft..

 

[benjenbav]

236ft should be no problem single handed.

View attachment 199425

That is of course Alain Colas's boat for the single handed transatlantic race of 1976.
I think he had help when parking.

I’d need help from many folk, but especially specsavers, to park that. The far end would be somewhat beyond my comfort zone.

 

[geem]

Not sure why you are trying to start an argument or the relevance of your other baiting questions. Like many people you seem to want to win points by casting aspersions over what others say. Quite frankly you are out of your depth but if you want to go head to head, I am up for it.

Never bashed a boat that I was in charge of. I might have had a minor ding in early training as a trainee; I was trained properly. I have my commercial certifications as well as my leisure ones.

Owned an Oyster. Not what most would call low value.

57' single handed. I was working.

Also, I am considering my next purchase and its even bigger because the increase size and space and luxury will suit my next needs and intentions better than a smaller yacht.

How many people do I know who sail 57 foot solo? Er. What are you getting at? How about asking first something to qualify the value of my answer such as : How many solo sailors do I know? I've met a few. How many do I know well. Less than 2. So your question has little beraring as does your third hand opinions vs the opinions of those who have done it.

I know others who have sallied 57 single handed as and when needed.

What are you going to try and undermine now with assumptions and misdirection?

I am suggesting you are an outlier and sailing a 57ft boat singlehanded is not common practise. I asked if you knew others 57ft singlehander as its uncommon.
I was criticised for suggesting 37/38ft was the maximum that could easily be handled singlhanded. Just because you as an outier, sailed something bigger doesn't make my post invalid.
You suggested you insured a 57ft Oyster for £400. That is not possible unless it was about 100 years ago. We have friends with Oyster boats who pay several thousand pounds for insurance annually. Insurance to cruise the world is not cheap
Excuse me if your post seems less than believable

 

[Bouba]

The low value yacht (as indicated by Geem). Specifically bought and refurbed for solo.

I was thinking of getting a roll of that faux teak for my deck....
Only kidding

 

[Fr J Hackett]

How many other people do you know that sail a 57ft boat single handed?
Why would you want a 57ft boat single handed?
I assume you were third party only or it was a very low value 40ft boat.
If it's gone wrong and you hit the boat next to you in a slip, a back plan won't help. You have already done damage.

The probability is that with a 57 foot or larger you won't be going into a small finger berth there either won't be a berth available or you will be put on an alongside berth. In the med it will be stern to to a wall or similar with the possibility of lying against another yacht as soon as you are well into the berth until you get the windward stern line on.

 

[Obi]

I am suggesting you are an outlier and sailing a 57ft boat singlehanded is not common practise. I asked if you knew others 57ft singlehander as its uncommon.
I was criticised for suggesting 37/38ft was the maximum that could easily be handled singlhanded. Just because you as an outier, sailed something bigger doesn't make my post invalid.
You suggested you insured a 57ft Oyster for £400. That is not possible unless it was about 100 years ago. We have friends with Oyster boats who pay several thousand pounds for insurance annually. Insurance to cruise the world is not cheap
Excuse me if your post seems less than believable

You do insist don't you.

My own Oyster was 40 and insured for £500. The 57' was a boat I was skippering for a charter company. I did not say anything different and this is your mistake not mine, but this once let me help me you by explaining things lest you go around calling people liars.

The first solo sailor I met, a senior in his 70s on a Jeanneau 40+ on route from Canaries to UK. The second solo in Santander on his 50+ Beneteau.

You are arguing from the position of second hand opinions against those who have been there and done it,or are still doing it. It seems you feel that is more valid than the first hand experience of those that have done it.

When your arguments do not stand up to scrutiny you revert to accusing people of lying. So you are wrong on every count and calling me a liar to boot just shows the level of your thought processes and what you revert to when you feel impinged upon. It's not a good look for anyone.

I take it back, I do not want to go head to head with you: You are not bright enough, but I am happy to destroy your poor founded opinions if you want to persist further.

 

[Obi]

I was thinking of getting a roll of that faux teak for my deck....
Only kidding

It is excellent stuff. Lasts for years, no maintenance, acts as another barrier to leaks. I had the chance to do real teak from a guy at Dell Quay for roughly the same price. Opted for the sensible option for a 30 year old plastic boat imo. YMMV, and that is of course lovely.