Two solo cruisers , Two boats OR Two Captains One Boat

[colo.sail]

what would you do
Two independent single-handers with two boats looking across the So. Pacific. Play tag and follow each other for security, support OR sell one of the boats and team up on one

[perchance]

That would depend on your personalities.

[fgd3]

Are the boats sister ships? Do they have identical sailing characteristics? If you can't maintain the same course and speed how are you going to provide mutual support crossing the ocean? How does having two boats sailing in company ease your sleep and watch standing schedule? I singlehand because I don't want to be dependent on crew, but there's no question crewed voyages (especially long ones) are safer and easier

Fabbian

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by colo.sail

what would you do
Two independent single-handers with two boats looking across the So. Pacific. Play tag and follow each other for security, support OR sell one of the boats and team up on one

If this is two sailors wanting to get across and would like a second set of hands, I would sail dual in one boat and go back and get the second boat and do it again.

Or cheaper - find another crew.

If I was an a"independent single hander" I would not consider selling my boat to cross a puddle.

For many reasons I would not plan to sail in company. I would not be averse to keeping position updates and status updates between the boats if I had the comm gear. I would not commit to diverting to render assistance unless I was in reasonable range and the boat was seriously foundering.

[Bash]

If the boats are matched, buddy boating is a great idea...

...until the sun goes down.

[maxingout]

When we sailed across the Pacific, a sailor and his fiance single-handed their two boats all the way to New Zealand.

They sailed in close proximity, and when one was asleep, the other would be on watch. It worked well for them, and they got married when they arrived in New Zealand.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by colo.sail

what would you do
Two independent single-handers with two boats looking across the So. Pacific. Play tag and follow each other for security, support OR sell one of the boats and team up on one

Not sure what "security" 2 boats really provide . But a bit of company generally goes down well

But I think it simply comes down to the money. and how much you trust your new business partner - and more importantly whether you want to (or can!) spend 24/7 with them (on passage and upon arrival).

If both can afford to do the trip (and the boats are both well founded) I would go with seperate boats - and if felt neccessary sign up another crew member (or 2).

[Sabbatical II]

Originally Posted by colo.sail

what would you do
Two independent single-handers with two boats looking across the So. Pacific. Play tag and follow each other for security, support OR sell one of the boats and team up on one

Buy one of those new boats with twin wheels and they can have one each.

[colo.sail]

Originally Posted by maxingout

When we sailed across the Pacific, a sailor and his fiance single-handed their two boats all the way to New Zealand.

They sailed in close proximity, and when one was asleep, the other would be on watch. It worked well for them, and they got married when they arrived in New Zealand.

this is kinda what we had in mind... without the marriage part
Brother and I have similar boats. I built mine and he has similar size Flicka
Not really room on board for crew in either, but the overnight trading watch idea is what we were wondering about. Sleep while other sails. Keep the VHF on and either wake up the second boat or warn of pending traffic/weather

Thanks everyone