Solo - What Boat?

[CaptainTtwo]

Well it is obvious I have much to think about but; this is not exactly a starter boat for me. On the other hand this thread is not just for me and has some value for anyone that reads it. I am very green when it comes to blue water and big boats; as the largest I have skippered is 38 feet. My largest concern when I started this thread was sailing complications out in blue water, and the flavor of the thread so far is that that may not be a great concern? As far as the marina is concerned I felt before the thread that I would need some help getting up to speed on the bigger boat. And just so you guy know your advice is not falling on totally deaf ears I have revised my thinking “some”. If I do decide on the biggest of the three, I will not only get help but lots of help in many situations. It seems to me that the marina is something that can be trained for, more than the unusual blue water event. It sounds like from the previous story that a bow thruster TECK is no substitute for experience: Something I have said many times in my other life, and believe firmly.

[Curmudgeon]

IMHO docking is the least of your concerns. The problem is that the forces increase geometrically with larger sails, etc. So do the costs.

If you are singlehanding, what do you need, really? A good seaberth, a convenient head and galley and a well organized deck with good winches, You need a seaworthy boat that balances well with self steering and a reliable engline. You need radar with a proximity alarm.

You could find these attributes in many boats under 30 feet. Why so big? Is it because the admiral wants a floating condo that also happens to be single-handable?

[captain58sailin]

Timing is one of the key factors in vessel handling. The timing on a 38' vessel will be different than on a 47' vessel. Since you already have experience on the heavy tonnage aircraft, I suspect that your learning curve is a good bit smaller and shallower than the average person who climbs aboard and expects their boat to handle like their mini van.
As far as size goes, the more time that you are planning on spend aboard the vessel, the larger it should be, for some. Consider how comfortable the cockpit on a twin Beech craft is compared to your L1011. A tunnel thruster in the 47' would make it very nice for docking. It would depend on if were planning on voyaging or just hanging out in a marina. If you are into passage making 47' would be about right.

[CaptainTtwo]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

IMHO docking is the least of your concerns. The problem is that the forces increase geometrically with larger sails, etc. So do the costs.

If you are singlehanding, what do you need, really? A good seaberth, a convenient head and galley and a well organized deck with good winches, You need a seaworthy boat that balances well with self steering and a reliable engline. You need radar with a proximity alarm.

You could find these attributes in many boats under 30 feet. Why so big? Is it because the admiral wants a floating condo that also happens to be single-handable?

What is it that any of us really need? As I said I may go as small as a Valiant 40 and no smaller. As Captain58 said it is also about how much time you will spend on the boat. I expect to spend 1/4-1/6 of the rest of my life on-board. Depending how long I live; that may be many many nights, and days.

[Curmudgeon]

Well, I'm not getting any younger (and neither are you), and if I ever go above 40 ft. it will be a ketch or schooner. I have no desire to horse around with a big mainsail in windy conditions, or 45 lb anchors, and I'd prefer not to rely on in-mast furling, electric winches, electric windlasses and the like. Those systems are expensive and complex. Murphy's law.

[captain58sailin]

That's why God invented hydraulics. My Father used to tell me "Work smarter, not harder."

[Curmudgeon]

Is there such a thing as a hydraulic Lewmar? If so, how much does it cost?

[captain58sailin]

I wouldn't know if Lewmar makes a hydraulic winch. I know about hydraulic anchor winches, and capstans. If wrestling with your mainsail is too hard, then increase the size of your winches or put more parts in your sheet blocks there are any number of ways to multiply your personal physical power to meet your needs.

[Curmudgeon]

The winch sizes are fine on my 30 footer. As for multiplying my personal physical power I'm torn between Viagra and a hydraulic penis. (Yes, there is such a thing: Bathmate Penis Pump - Official Bathmate Site - BathmateStore)

[bob perry]

Yes, Lewmar does make hydraulic winches. They are very good but cost more than the electric counterpart. I think they are a bit big for any boat under 45'.

[Curmudgeon]

Yes, I saw a price of 11 grand for a size 77, and these winches also require a separate hydraulic system with a pump.

I'm sure they are very nice at that price.

[Hiracer]

I would read very carefully this article by some well known world cruisers about their jump from 37 to 47 feet.

http://bethandevans.com/pdf/tenBiggerboat.pdf

I would pay particular attention to the line about when starting out you need a boat that gets you out of trouble, rather than a boat that gets you into trouble.




In fact, here is a statement by Evans that if doing it again he would aim for a 42 foot boat, if not sailing high latitudes.

http://bethandevans.com/boats.htm

[speedoo]

Hiracer, thanks for posting that.... excellent article, from people who have been there. Just loaded with great information.

[CaptainTtwo]

THAT WAS A Great article and very much on topic “THANK YOU”!

[KairosKona]

Hiracer,

A brilliant article! Thanks for sharing. I am re-thinking the boats I have been dreaming about in favor of a more practical solution. This article really opened my dreamy-eyes! An excellent end to this thread! Thanks!

David