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mayberrybfd · 06-02-2017, 10:47

In your opinion,,,What would be the largest boat one might want to sail Singlehanded,,,,,,

Cavalier · 06-02-2017, 10:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayberrybfd

In your opinion,,,What would be the largest boat one might want to sail Singlehanded,,,,,,

With or without autopilot?

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**a64pilot** · 06-02-2017, 11:01

I'd sail some really big ones, the high dollar ones have power everything.
Just don't ask me to dock say a 65' Oyster single handed

Stumble · 06-02-2017, 11:01

It depends on the boat, the layout, and the sailor. For cruising somewhere around 40' is comfortable.

Teknishn · 06-02-2017, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayberrybfd

In your opinion,,,What would be the largest boat one might want to sail Singlehanded,,,,,,

A lot of variables in that question. What type of boat, what standing and running rigging configuration, tiller or wheel, anchor tackle, below deck systems, physical fitness and general health, with or without sailing experience, etc., etc...

**boatman61** · 06-02-2017, 11:20

I would not like to go much larger than say 65ft.. and definitely not if Med mooring.. unless it was using my own anchor off the bow.

Cavalier · 06-02-2017, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

I would not like to go much larger than say 65ft.. and definitely not if Med mooring.. unless it was using my own anchor off the bow.

As boaty points out, sailing a big boat isn't really as much a problem as close-quarters handling, singlehanded with an awkward breeze direction. I think 65ft would be my limit too, and even then I'd be having to think (and prep) maneuvers far further in advance than with say, a 40ft'er.

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**skipmac** · 06-02-2017, 12:11

If you want to know what is possible, in the 1976 OSTAR Alain Colas raced singlehanded a 236', four masted schooner.

Bottom line, with enough power and big winches there's not an upper limit on the size of boat you can sail. As noted, the tricky part is when you're docking or if you have to start hauling sails around. For me the max size boat I can single hand is based on the largest sail I can drag from the forepeak to the deck and bend on by myself. That works out to maybe mid forty foot range max.

robert sailor · 06-02-2017, 13:21

In practice terms I'd say 45 feet for an average but skilled sailor. Age plays a role as well as where you are sailing. We'd have no problem sailing a 65 or 70 foot mono hull in average winds and seas but if we got into gale conditions it would be a real hand full because the loads are so high. Sure some single handers can race a 60 foot boat in the Southern ocean but your talking about the Wayne Gretzky type of skill level compared to the millions of weekend warriors .

mayberrybfd · 06-02-2017, 22:58

thank you all for your input,,,I am thinking 40 footer, wheel not tiller and possibly auto steering,Ketch ,,so what was said was along the lines I was thinking ,,,,been about sailing since 1970.....age ,,,mmmm 61 will undertake this challenge at 63,,,,

Cavalier · 07-02-2017, 07:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayberrybfd

thank you all for your input,,,I am thinking 40 footer, wheel not tiller and possibly auto steering,Ketch ,,so what was said was along the lines I was thinking ,,,,been about sailing since 1970.....age ,,,mmmm 61 will undertake this challenge at 63,,,,

That sounds very sensible. My 47's doable singlehanded because of the autopilot - it makes sail hoisting/setting/trimming/dousing much easier, as it permits one to walk away from the helm and do other jobs in the knowledge that you're not going to see the bow swing through 120degrees unexpectedly due to weather helm, as would sometimes happen when simply locking off the wheel w/o a pilot engaged. The ketch will be nice too - manageable sail areas for a singlehander!

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Colin A · 07-02-2017, 08:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I'd sail some really big ones, the high dollar ones have power everything.
Just don't ask me to dock say a 65' Oyster single handed

Yeah docking can be a big issue on bigger boats. I worked for a few boatyards back in the day and used to move boats around the marina and up the river to a storage yard. Boats larger then 40' can be a real pain to dock solo. I had a gust of wind blow a trawler off a slip as I was about to tie it up solo once. Luckily it floated over to another empty slip before it did any damage. Not sure I would try docking a 50' boat solo in 30k winds again but at the time I was about 20 so I didn't think like that.