automatic yacht?

[Prairie Chicken]

What is available taking out the equation of actually having to sail the thing.

Crew.

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

OK, again I'll ask why not one of these, aren't they about as simple as it gets? Or as usual am I not understanding something?

Yeah, a cat rigged Nonsuch is a relatively simple boat to sail. Won't perform as well as some other types, particularly on certain points of sail, but it is simple. Of course, you STILL have to know how to sail. It isn't "automatic." Not even close.

But then, proper pilotage of a powerboat isn't "automatic" either.

[Cheechako]

You need a sailing drone. I'm sure they are the thing of the future. No risk to life and limb, low cost etc. You can simply monitor how your cruising is going when you want on your computer... and set it aside when it's time for your soylent green feeding....
Seriously , you just need a trawler or a motorsailor. Then you can sail only if you want and still consume little fuel.

[Tayana42]

Try a nice Island Packet with Hoyt Jib boom and electric winches.


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[rw58ph]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

Yeah, a cat rigged Nonsuch is a relatively simple boat to sail. Won't perform as well as some other types, particularly on certain points of sail, but it is simple. Of course, you STILL have to know how to sail. It isn't "automatic." Not even close.

But then, proper pilotage of a powerboat isn't "automatic" either.

Pretty close. When out in open water the boat is on auto pilot for hours, and I only have to monitor/keep watch. The pilot house/boat is air conditions and heated so no matter what the weather we are comfortable and dry. It actually gets boring after a couple of hours. With the radar and depth alarm and soon to have AIS, I might be able to take a nap when if gets to boring. Oh we have a remote with a range of 20 ft that I very seldom use. Not many boats are more automatic than the Eagle when it’s in open water.

Dock and close maneuvering is the biggest challenge, but the bow thruster takes care of most of the pucker factor. Now if I just had automatic docking! I would be all over valet docking. The big ships have a local pilot meet the ship when in local water that navigates and docks the ship. Wake me when we get there!

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by case-sensitive

I'm really keen to get off the land once and for all, unfortunately I got zero interest in actually sailing. I do not know why but sailing has never appealed to me ever. Ideally I would take a power boat but after calculations the fuel usage would be out of control.

What is available in the absolute least input required in regards to a sailing vessel? Need something for one person at least 40' + (say 46 to 50 ft). Live a board. Is there anything with 1 sail only? What about an automatic yacht, I see that Maltese Falcon comes close but of course way out of reach. Are there any yachts today for the general buyer with such a hard sail and it is all computerized?

What is available taking out the equation of actually having to sail the thing.

Budget would be around 500K.

There is a lot of debate on here whether sailing is actually cheaper per mile than motoring. Sails, rigging, etc. have limited life and are very expensive. For anything automated, add zeros -- and you'll definitely be better off on a trawler, money-wise.

Please don't buy a sailboat if you don't like to sail. The purpose is not to save money.


I'm answering this on the off chance that the question was not a provocative joke

[Cheechako]

A Freedom with the small self tending jib and no rigging is pretty trouble free. If really not that much into sailing though... a big airy cabin to see around you is nice. Pilothouse, Deck Saloon, Motorsailor, Catamaran, Trawler.

[case-sensitive]

Thanks for all the boat suggestions, I looked at them but nothing stood out for me.

Further digging reveals I might not be as mad as I thought I might be it appears what I seek does exist or can exist as revealed here:

Harbor Wing Technologies - Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessel - Commercial Applications

key word is wing sail vessel vs automatic yacht.

As mentioned this is for continuous use, navigating around the world at leisure, not daily sail in a lake or near shore on the weekends. As such I think fuel costings on a PC would be prohibitive. The solar idea is an interesting, not much out their other than experimentals. Quick looking around a tesla vehicle with 85 kW battery claims 500 KM and the battery is flat and fits under the car. Not sure its weight. Get a used 46 ft Leopard PC, put in a electric motor and couple of these 85 kW batteries? How would land driving translate to power a boat through the ocean surely the drag / mileage must be night and day. The of course have it topping up via solar cells.

Need to think.

[eyschulman]

A nonesuch will work. If you don't raise the sail it will function as a relatively economic motor boat. If you raise the simplified sail rig with or without the motor running it will work. A good hatch dodger will make it a motor sailor of sorts. There are several wishbone rigged boats out there that make sailing simpler. Go for it the 36 foot nonesuch is awesome.