What is the largest boat one can single hand?

Portofino said:
A lot of focus ( Testosterone in the air :)) about berthing !
In my post #2 ^^ the ref to insurance was regarding a clause in my policy .
Med berthed - it’s along the lines of a time limet to single handed of somthing like from memory of 16 consecutive hrs or there about s inc anchorage too .
So there s a provision for seemingly pootling to say a lift out ,or nipping out to empty the holding tank ,or fill up with diesel , but not do a decent passage on my Todd .

Then there’s my Fr ticket ,the boats in Fr waters full time even though it’s got a red ensign,cos I,am based in Fr I think they could “ do me “ as Ukrainejack ^^^ infers if I have not got the correct ticket - in theory I think ?
I,am ticked up to 24 M
So that’s the definitive ans for me 24 M ,but I would read the small print on your insurance as well .
Not that’s it’s illegal for Hurricane to take his 67 from mainland Spain to the Baldricks on his Todd , just was he covered - that’s the Q

In the 13 years in the Med , I have allays had a “ crew “ even for marina manoeuvres- as said to do the lines etc .
But I,am aware of an insurance restriction- on my policy I don,t think they want me to helm on my Todd for long without crew support / cover - basically.
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'Y' has no exclusion for single handed.
 
Portofino said:
You will be paying for that .
We are with Coleman - Sunseeker Shield based and there’s an option to opt out of single H and reduce the policy £
Along with other options
£500 for a 1400 Hp 48 ftr Itama full comp
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Looks like a Navigators and General / Zurich policy. I was warned against using them due to their onerous T&C's (despite my personal links with Zurich).
 
I am not sure if we are all answering the op question !

I think he is trying to understand what he and his wife can handle when you read the detail. I could of course be wrong !

The answer to that ( in my view ) is any size as long as You are ok at helming and the other person is not afraid of the ropes.

If you want to wash down, clean cater and do the washing for a full boat of people is another issue. I don’t hence I hire summer crew for July and August but that has little to do with Boat handling but partners do appreciate not doing slime lines !
 
dare one suggest anybody could handle the QE11 in the middle of the Atlantic, asking how comfortable the OP would be getting in and out of a busy marina under difficult conditions, might be a better question.
One way to find out would be to hire 50ft boat for perhaps a morning, suspect it would answer the question very quickly and be fun outing into the bargain ?
 
jrudge said:
I have not been on a boat in the uk for a long time. What happens if you ask them to do your lines over the radio ?
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Only in extremis, I think. I do recall once being on the dock at a well-known south coast marina and getting a call from the dockmaster (can't remember if it was on radio or my phone) along the lines of:

"BJB, look behind you. Elderly gentleman with lady-not-his-wife approaching dock at speed and out of control. No time for us to get down there and take his lines. Hellllllp."

...All in a day's work. :encouragement:
 
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Montemar said:
May I recommend a book that a friend recommended to me:
Stress-Free Motorboating
Single and shorthanded techniques.
Written by Duncan Wells.
It deals specifically with the OP's post and one piece of advice stands out above all else which is - be prepared in advance - a point made by others here.
It is particularly helpful with problematic situations.
I have no connection with the author BTW.
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good shout. I bought it based on your recommendation and was pleasantly surprised to pick up more than a few tips and tricks to add to my competence
 
I have very little personal on-hand experience of boating. So if I move the boat size down to Princess 49, would that be doable? It's small enough to not have a crew cabin, so that could indicate it to be of proper size once one learns the ropes.
 
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