Would this boat be suitable for a single hander?

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Bluemac

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Hi everyone! SWMBO and I have sadly come to the (painfull) decision that we are just not using our S34 enough to justify the upkeep and depreciation of such an expensive toy. We've had some great trips and adventures but 4 or 5 weeks a year just isn't enough. So we are going to trade down to a single diesel engined weekender (up to maybe 30K), that I can use primarily for fishing single handed when the fancy takes me (and the weather is right!).

I cannot handle the S34 on my own and SWMBO has loads of her own interests making her availabilty for crewing at a moments notice difficult.

So I have been researching 'peche promenade' style boats and it seems something like the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 might be appropriate. The question is will I be able to handle such a boat single handed comfortably (6.8 metres and shaft driven) including docking?

Any suggestions of other suitable craft would be appreciated also.

p.s. I'm told it must have a separate sea toilet!
 
I have a 625, slightly smaller and I have learned to single hand it (starting from "so, this is a boat, is it?") so I wouldn't see you'll have any problems. Just go slowly and have your mooring lines ready to go, if I can do it, I'd think anyone can! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
in the beginning use many fenders and go slowly,
doable at least up till 25ft
after much practice you will be proud of yourselves how easy you can moore her in a small berth at 90°
for me a sterndrive seems to be a little more easy
 
You should be fine with that, if you follow earlier suggestions on lines at the ready and slow speed etc.
We've got an 8m boat with sterndrive, and shaft driven is meant to be easier - according to the law as expoused by hlb /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
You will have a keel for a start, to give you more directional stability.
Just make sure you keep the patio doors open and that your lines are long enough, so that you can take both with you when you step ashore.
 
Errm. Ive said twin shafts are best, dont remember mentioning single. But single are not bad, espesially with a keel.

But Kwackers is the law today, as he gets to practice with all sorts. Well apart from twin shafts, where I teach him. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Once you plan ahead and have everything sorted - fenders, lines, panic, escape plan, etc you'll be fine.

I have a Bayliner 2002 (21ft with an outboard) which I would go out more on my own than with someone as quite often I only have an hour or two of a window and it tends to be hard to find a crew at that short notice.

I find the first couple of trips are the worst every year as you find you have forgotten half of the little tricks that make it easier to do.

Practice as much as you can when you do have a crew, i.e. don't use them but have them ready with the roaming fender etc.

Get your ferry gliding (is that the right term) going. practice reversing in (I find it easier to drive out of trouble) where possible and be very careful of the wind when you are in the wheelhouse as you can get the wind effect badly wrong from inside that nice warm shelter.

Learn which way the prop "walks" and make use of it. I used to take my 26ft bilge keel sailing boat out and once I knew what way the prop walked it was a handy last minute stern thruster to park her bum in to the gap on the marina.


Find an empty(ish) marina to do your handling practice and go for it, some of the best days out there for me have been when it's just been me, the sea and whatever "little ship" I've had.

J.
 
practice reversing in (I find it easier to drive out of trouble)

Excelent advice. But driving in is much easier, (where possible) and does not add all the eddies in the water. You dont have to be so accurate when backing out.
 
Thanks for the replies so far guys, it's just the encouragement I needed. I'm looking forward to learning some more skills without the aid of a bowthruster!
 
Like SeaDee I have a MF805 (single shaft, no bow thruster) and it is readily manageable single handed with a bit of planning and practice. A few sessions with stand-by crew while you get comfortable with a routine will help. I also know of a couple of MF695s that are regularly used single handed by fellow fishing club members.

Edit: the MF805 is also a good compromise cruising boat with comfortable accommodation for two (admittedly less lavish than your 34).
 
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Thanks for the replies so far guys, it's just the encouragement I needed. I'm looking forward to learning some more skills without the aid of a bowthruster!

[/ QUOTE ]

Err
you have problems with a bow thruster on an S34 with twins....????
and are worried about a single engined smaller boat???

with respect maybe a morning with powerskipper or solitaire types to hone your skills.....
 
Hayden

A question on the term 'ferry-boat gliding', I am asking you as you sometimes use it.

I have been lead to believe it refers to maneouvring a boat across a tidal flow, moving stern first.

Say you approach a pontoon with a fast running tide. Pontoon lays east to west, and the tide is running parallel along the face.
Most would approach to stem the tide (bow into), but if the circumstance didn't allow this, but you needed to back into the tide, say starboard-to tie up, with both motors engaged astern to hold station, and applying more port power, the boat moves over to the berth.

Am I using the right terms here, or does this mean something else? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Ferry gliding is great fun, and can be done stern or bow to the water flow, and is a great technique to learn.


Basically you hold the boat stationary against the current using the engine(s) to hold you steady against the tide or water flow using gentle throttle control

Then without allowing any fore or aft movement, you move the boat sideways with steering or in case of twin shaft boats engine control and or/steering. Only small input is needed to make it work.

Most usually people ferry glide bow on to the water flow as that is easier to learn as it is more intuitive. You can use small amounts of fore or aft movement of the boat to aid getting into a tight spot.

A great way to practice is find a bouy in a water flow, then maintain your position from it, and move side to side, while not gaining or losing distance from it, either stern to or bow to.

So to be a bit more specific, you don't need two engines or to be stern to the flow of water.
 
Thanks for the explaination, only heard the term used by one guy years ago, until you blokes started using it (more likely been using it for ever, except I've only just heard it).

Some people curse the tidal flow as being difficult, but I just tell them, use it to your advantage.
 
I think you can get a bow thruster on a 695...

I have a 625 and I do use singled handed and with my wife and daughter. The MF range are cheap and cheerful but are great sea boats so good choice.

Like most we always want something bigger so do look at 695/705 and 805... there is a sportsfisher test in April 08 MBM that the 705 wins (the 705 is the later 695 with a bathing platform), .. with the 150hp they apparently cruise around 16 knots which will be a bit of a come down to your S34. Single shaft drive will always be the trickier boat to maneuver close quarters hence why a lot have a bow thrusters fitted.

Perhaps have a look at the MF 725, its outboard powered, therefore would be a bit more maneuverable... IMO

Also slightly bigger, but one to consider, Beneteau Antares 760, Westways have what I consider is a very well priced 2005 with a 200hp Volvo for asking price of £37k... see MBM this months adverts,
 
SERIOUSLY ask yourself if you need a diesel at that size?

I would have thought that if you aren't going to do massive cruises, and it's more of a hobby boat than a "lifestyle" boat, at 625 size, a nice four-stroke outboard would actually be a lot cheaper overall to run (lower servicing, much cheaper purchase, maybe twice the fuel, but how much fuel would you use in reality anyhow?

just a thought
 
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SERIOUSLY ask yourself if you need a diesel at that size?


[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with that view... my 625 uses around 20 liters an hour at 18knots cruising speed, 26 liters at 23knots and will go on to a brisk 25 knots flat out at which point my fuel flow meter indicates is using 28 liters and hour, but my 625 is struggling under all the equipment I have on board...seriously!!!! But at this size of boat the diesels used are 85hp or 110hp and are very noisy and at the speeds my outboard powered 625 goes would struggle to use less fuel! Obviously there is a price difference between petrol and diesel at the pumps but you pay quite a premium to buy a diesel engined boat... but how much are you going to use it will depend on your decision...? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
If there is a current flowing, then ferry gliding is a great way to come alongside a pontoon, as you have so much control, even if a wind is blowing, as you use that as well. You probably won't come alongside exactly parallel, so at the last few seconds, you bring in the stern (usually), with a quick blast of engine/steering/engines, depending on the type of boat you have.

Very satisfying to do it well
 
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