What is the largest boat one can single hand?

[MapisM]

So ok listening to your feedback, I realize that 60 foot will be too big.
So if I move it down a notch to 55 feet, how much does that help out?

Imho, this question is as wrong as the first one.
In the choice of a boat, even assuming money no object, would you go as large as 200 feet, assuming that you could singlehand the thing? Really???
Singlehanding a very big boat is rather my idea of a nightmare, than of having a good time.
Not to mention that, as this thread proves, there is no such thing as an objective answer to the question "how big".

The only question that matters is actually the opposite, i.e. what is the SMALLEST size that is good enough for your needs?
Sure, also in this case there aren't right or wrong answers. But of course there is YOUR answer, which is by definition correct.
And you don't want to go much larger than the smallest size which is good enough. Why should you?

I realize that no boatbuilder on this planet would agree with me, obviously. Which, in a sense, confirms that I'm right...

 

[petem]

Imho, this question is as wrong as the first one.
In the choice of a boat, even assuming money no object, would you go as large as 200 feet, assuming that you could singlehand the thing? Really???
Singlehanding a very big boat is rather my idea of a nightmare, than of having a good time.
Not to mention that, as this thread proves, there is no such thing as an objective answer to the question "how big".

The only question that matters is actually the opposite, i.e. what is the SMALLEST size that is good enough for your needs?
Sure, also in this case there aren't right or wrong answers. But of course there is YOUR answer, which is by definition correct.
And you don't want to go much larger than the smallest size which is good enough. Why should you?

I realize that no boatbuilder on this planet would agree with me, obviously. Which, in a sense, confirms that I'm right...

Very "Antoine de Saint Exupéry"!

 

[NBs]

I'm cruising single hands my NT37 LOA 42 feet through the Baltic Sea without problems doging boats Bow first or med style, wind, 4-5. If more wind is more difficult except long side berth which is still possible with wind 6-7.

No experience with larger boats ...

NBs

 

[petem]

I'm cruising single hands my NT37 LOA 42 feet through the Baltic Sea without problems doging boats Bow first or med style, wind, 4-5. If more wind is more difficult except long side berth which is still possible with wind 6-7.

No experience with larger boats ...

NBs

Pilothouse door must help?

 

[djefabs]

I totally agree Mike. Planning and a plan B, then get on with it. As you know I have single handed Ocean Tigress many times and should the need arise I'm not to proud to radio the marina and ask for assistance with taking the ropes. I really enjoy single handing.

 

[NBs]

Pilothouse door must help?

Yes Sir and long keel...

NBs

 

[MapisM]

Very "Antoine de Saint Exupéry"!

Naah, there's nothing humanistic in my suggestion, it's strictly a matter of practicality: boats are a constant burden for their owners - who wants a larger burden?
Otoh, there's nothing you can do with a 70 footer that you can't with a 50' (for any given boat type), while the burden difference is relevant.
That's where personal needs come into play: if you wish to have 8 or 10 folks overnighting onboard, then I'm afraid you must accept a pretty big burden.
But if you are happy with no more than a couple of guests at a time (let alone for singlehanding!), why should you endure that?
Unless interested also in pose value, of course.

PS: I accept that fully crew managed superyachts are in a totally different league, in terms of boating experience.
And I can see why some folks who can afford that type of boating might be attracted - but that's exactly the opposite of what this thread is about.

 

[Bandit]

I have a 48ft aft cabin boat on shafts with bow and sternthruster.

We don't have the luxury of marina attendants that will meet you on the berth.

In good weather I handle the boat on my own.

A lot depends on the design of the boat mine has wide side decks, easy access all around and high guard rails all around and loads of cleats as well as a low midships entry point from the boat to pontoon.

Some boats have precarious access from the cockpit to the side decks and poorly thought deck rails and hand holds, these are difficult for her ladyship to go to the bow and very difficult to single hand because you cant run around fro unassisted berthing.

I tend to get one or two short midship lines ready and do these first and then bow, stern and spring lines.

If it blows a force 7 forget it, you cant pull a 50ft boat in on a pontoon line against the wind.

When we do trips away its normally with the wife, some family or occasionally friends.

Think also about if something goes wrong with the boat and you need someone to helm it while you investigate or sort out the problem, its difficult if you are alone.

Mine is a doddle for two to handle with three cabins.

Also when single handing I always wear a lifejacket and I can pull a ladder out to get myself out of the water back on to the swim platform if I fall in.

 

[Montemar]

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.

 

[westernman]

If it blows a force 7 forget it, you cant pull a 50ft boat in on a pontoon line against the wind.

Yes you can. Dead easy. Get a line onto the center cleat onto a bollard on the dock where you want the stern to end up.

My boat will go astern very nicely dead into the wind - so I just point my stern at the bollard and reverse up to it. Easy to do, and control. A big fender on the stern, so the boat will stay put while I loop the line over the bollard and then take my time to put it on the center cleat and pull up the slack.

The motor against this spring line. With the rudder, you can get the boat to move nicely parallel to the dock against the wind. Even an F7.

I have done that with 34 tonnes, an F7 and 85HP.

It really impresses the by-standers as you so gently come alongside.

 

[Hurricane]

Yes you can. Dead easy. Get a line onto the center cleat onto a bollard on the dock where you want the stern to end up.

My boat will go astern very nicely dead into the wind - so I just point my stern at the bollard and reverse up to it. Easy to do, and control. A big fender on the stern, so the boat will stay put while I loop the line over the bollard and then take my time to put it on the center cleat and pull up the slack.

The motor against this spring line. With the rudder, you can get the boat to move nicely parallel to the dock against the wind. Even an F7.

I have done that with 34 tonnes, an F7 and 85HP.

It really impresses the by-standers as you so gently come alongside.

What about 50 tons and 2400HP?

Actually, I'm not sure about this "springing" business.
Yes, it was taught on our Yachtmaster courses.

But we are mere leisure sailors and don't do these things all the time.
Yes, springing works but, IMO, it must be used carefully.
In my case, I have enough power to rip the pontoon cleats off.
So, I tickle the port and starboard engines to get the sideways momentum.
IMHO, just wacking power against a spring ends in tears.

And my rudders are useless when manoeuvring.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Yes you can. Dead easy. Get a line onto the center cleat onto a bollard on the dock where you want the stern to end up.

My boat will go astern very nicely dead into the wind - so I just point my stern at the bollard and reverse up to it. Easy to do, and control. A big fender on the stern, so the boat will stay put while I loop the line over the bollard and then take my time to put it on the center cleat and pull up the slack.

The motor against this spring line. With the rudder, you can get the boat to move nicely parallel to the dock against the wind. Even an F7.

I have done that with 34 tonnes, an F7 and 85HP.

It really impresses the by-standers as you so gently come alongside.

So you can do this single handed with no shore side assistance? Usually into a space not much bigger than the boat. If that's dead easy then I am impressed. What would be a difficult manoeuvre?

 

[jrudge]

Funny I forgot that in the uk there are no marinaros.

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 ?

The med marinaros are really useful and meet pretty much every boat.

 

[Uricanejack]

As big as you feel comfortable with. Depending upon flag state, regulations, pleasure or comercicial.use. I don’t know but I suspect when you reach 20m or 25 m length some rules about crew size may kick in.

 

[Bandit]

We are all getting very excited about "how big a boat" one can handle on our todd.

As far as I can tell the Original Poster has been very coy about their experience and what sort of boat they have already had.

A 62 ft Flybridge is a big boat ith a lot of power to start with, If I was new to boating I would start with a second hand 38 or 40ft Flybridge and see how I get on first, start with something smaller and less expensive. Get some miles under their belt a season or two of extensive use and then see what they want to do. You need to feel comfortable using it.

 

[vas]

Funny I forgot that in the uk there are no marinaros.

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 ?

The med marinaros are really useful and meet pretty much every boat.

no marinaros in Greece either (at least wherever I've been...) but in the summer since all marinas (again where i've been...) are typically part of the city/village opening to the sea, there's ppl walking about so you'll most likely get some help for the stern lines. The type of help you get is debatable though

V.

 

[rubberduck]

It all depends on your ability & confidence level. I'm more than happy with my tender.

 

[westernman]

So you can do this single handed with no shore side assistance? Usually into a space not much bigger than the boat. If that's dead easy then I am impressed. What would be a difficult manoeuvre?

Yes.

The reference to 85HP was to stress that as little as 85HP is more than sufficient to move a 51ft boat sidesways against a F7 - not a suggestion that you wack the throttle all the way forward with a pair of 1200HP engines!!! If the cleat holds, I would imagine you would end up towing the Britain out into the middle of the atlantic!

Difficult - reversing into a berth with a F7 diagonal across the berth blowing you in and sideways. (Been there and done that rather often - my berth at Port Leucate was like that, but I have never done that single handed, and would not like to have to try).

 

[oldgit]

Might it also depend on where OP intends to boat or more accurately moor his boat. ?
Sounds although the Med could be the ultimate destination, the UK might not be the best place to rely on adjacent skippers or marina staff to assist when mooring up singlehanded, especially out of hours. ?

 

[Portofino]

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 limit to single handed or something 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 - insurance wise - 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.
Which raisers the Q of single H mobo ing —- On largish boats - it’s rare and do check with your underwriter.