Can a couple sail a 64ft FC yacht around the world?

[pingrossouw]

Hallo everybody....

We are looking at buying a yacht to go cruising in in the next couple of years. We came across a very good deal on a 64ft FC yacht. It sounds very big and with lots of space too.

Question is, on something that size, what size of crew are we looking at, or can it be sailed by just two people (a couple with two young kids, 6 and 9yrs)?

All answers would be appreciated.

[Miniyot]

There are variables....
How much sailing experience do you have?
How much experience does the other person have?
What is the largest sailboat you have singlehanded?
What's the largest sailboat the other person has singlehanded?
If neither of you have singlehanded a boat at least half that size, then I think you will find it very difficult.

[atoll]

if you like hard work,paying $150 a night in marinas,using $200 dollars worth of fuel a day when motoring,$5000 on a haul out,taking out a bank loan every time something breaks!
go for it,but it won't be cheap!

[Teknav]

Hi! With only two adults on board, limit your boat's size to 40 ft or less. For a 64 footer, you'll need two or more adults to help you out. Your seamanship's skills must be top notch. Your electro-mechanical aptitude should be in the Good/Very Good level. Enjoy!

Mauritz
Simplicity and elegance through engineering.

[s/v Moondancer]

Atoll has it right...there is no such thing as a 'Good Deal' There is expensive and more expensive to maintain.

That boat will also be a nightmare to dock...we recently watched an older, larger boat hit someones brand new spanking $400,000 paint job. Once the wind caught him it was all over but the crying. You can't fend off a 30 ton FC boat.

Stick to something in the 40-45 ft range. Space on a big boat is something that the seas throw you across as you do a Superman imitation.

Good luck

[barnakiel]

It is 100% doable if the couple has what it takes.

b.

[Group9]

Depends on the couple.

[jjt]

In a crisis situation, your wife will attend your kids, so you will be singlehanding a very heavy 64 ft boat.
Bad weather may extend for a few days. Are you fit and strong enough ?
If you are injured, can your wife singlehand the boat? for how long?

I allways prepare to singlehand even with company, so my boat is a 39 footer, wich is plenty for my tired body.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by pingrossouw

64ft FC yacht. .

It depends on if FC = Ferro Cement.

if its a ferro boat you ought to run for the hills. It will not have been professionaly built. Maybe not even professionaly designed.

If it was a 64 foot newer Beneteau, Oyster or other modern production boat set up for it then I say its easy to sail solo or with a couple. Larger is often more safer.

But 64 foot of poorly designed, poorly built, old boat will not only be hell to sail but downright dangerous.

There are very few (if any) surveyors who can tell if a Ferro Cement boat will stand up to one wave.


Mark

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

(...)

If it was a 64 foot newer Beneteau, Oyster or other modern production boat set up for it then I say its easy to sail solo or with a couple. Larger is often more safer.

(...)

Mark,

Big Oysters are a very poor choice (out of the box). Believe me.

I know an Amel 54 is good. I have also seen couples sailing:
- a Bougainvillea (they are 63')
- a Deerfoot (looking +60').

b.

[shadow]

Yep, depends on the couple and how well they work together as well as how the yacht is setup, winches, rigging, etc.. I've seen a smaller gentleman in his late 60's handle a 62 footer by himself as everything led back to the cockpit and it was all electric and automatic.. So, yah, it all depends..

[sailorboy1]

I'm going to say NO because the original poster had to ask the question, which probably means it is a no for their level of experience

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

I'm going to say NO because the original poster had to ask the question, which probably means it is a no for their level of experience

I'll second that! Especially if it's FC. And the maintenance is a speciality that few would know.

[Stumble]

Can any couple sail any 64'? No, not even close.
Can some couples sail some 64' boats? Absolutely

My old sailboat had to have four people onboard to even leave the slip, more if you wanted to sail it. However the Dashew Beowulf is famous for being cruised by an older couple and wracking up 300+ mile days at 78 foot.

Boat design, the couples skill, systems design, ect mean more than the size of the boat.

[Jim Cate]

This will likely irritate the FC proponants, but here goes...

The main reason that ferro cement has been chosen as a building medium is perceived economy, especially for folks who want a very large yacht. In very many cases, this urge for economy has continued throughout the build, and is manifested by the systems on such yachts being marginal or worse, because deck hardware (masts, winches, blocks etc) are very epensive in large sizes. This in turn means that the resultant yacht is much harder to operate than a properly equipped vessel of the same size.

Sailing a heavy displacement 64 foot vessel is labour intensive at best, and difficult for a small crew, even when eperienced. When this is compounded by inadequate gear it becomes essentially impossible in anything but ideal conditions.

I think that the conclusion is obvious: the answer to your question is NO.

Sorry...

Jim