Set up for Singlehanding

[Boxertwinjeff]

Hi, am new to cruising, can you tell if this yacht appears to be set up for Single handing from what you can see in the photo? only has these 2 winches.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Boxertwinjeff

Hi, am new to cruising, can you tell if this yacht appears to be set up for Single handing from what you can see in the photo? only has these 2 winches.

I am not familiar with that boat but it is clearly intended for "bluewater" cruising in a wide variety of sea conditions and temperatures! I don't see anything specific to singlehanding on it, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have it or could not be rigged for it, if needed. The lack of self-steering gear suggests it is not yet rigged for singlehanding. The two winches are for jib sheets. I know there are folks who singlehand without running the halyards back to the cockpit, but that would be one thing I'd do. Very interesting design though, I'd like to know what it is and where it is!

[El Pinguino]

The photos here Roberts 36 GRP Ketch “Foxy Lady� | Sail monohulls | Boat Sales Tasmania seem to indicate that most 'stuff' is done at the mast(s).

[Boxertwinjeff]

Thanks for the replies, could it be a costly venture running gear back to
the cockpit for ease & safety & to set up for singlehanding?

[paulajayne]

Looks a nice boat for that money.
Conversion should not be too bad unless you are planning on power winches.

Granny bars would also be a good option.

[El Pinguino]

Well.... it wouldn't be cheap....
Nice boat for the way she has been sailed in SE Tas but I think you could do better...

Also she is a 35 year old steel boat...

Ping....running for cover.....

[Boxertwinjeff]

Originally Posted by paulajayne

Looks a nice boat for that money.
Conversion should not be too bad unless you are planning on power winches.

Granny bars would also be a good option.

Excuse my ignorance, but what are Granny bars?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Boxertwinjeff

Excuse my ignorance, but what are Granny bars?

The SS frames either side of the mast..

[El Pinguino]

You haven't said where you plan to singlehand...

However... leading any lines back to the cockpit will involve holes in the deck... removing headlinings...labour intensive... better to find something ready to go.

Granny bars? They are for... how you say.... grannies.....

[Boxertwinjeff]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

You haven't said where you plan to singlehand...

However... leading any lines back to the cockpit will involve holes in the deck... removing headlinings...labour intensive... better to find something ready to go.

Granny bars? They are for... how you say.... grannies.....

Nothing ambitious, just solo coastal cruising East coast Australia, maybe
leading lines back to cockpit would be unnecessary for what I have in mind,
BTW, shes a GRP hull

[El Pinguino]

Ah.... don't know why I assumed she was steel....

Looking at the pics it seems all you can do from the cockpit is furl and unfurl the jib and handle the jib sheets....

Not for me... I would at the very least want to have the main and mizzen sheets close handy...

Others may beg to differ...

[Kokanee]

My personal opinion would be no.

As a minimum, I would want:
- autopilot and/or wind vane, .
- cockpit access to main/mizen sheets,
- a good jackline/harness setup
- lazyjacks

Optional:
- All lines to cockpit
- Remote windlass
- self tacking jib
- Furling mainsail/mizzen

Plus various safety bits such as portable waterproof radio etc.

One advantage is the boat is ketch rigged, so the individual sails are somewhat smaller in size and easier to handle single handed.

[boatman61]

my minimum...
roller furling jib and wheel/tiller pilot

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Well.... it wouldn't be cheap....
Nice boat for the way she has been sailed in SE Tas but I think you could do better...

Also she is a 35 year old steel boat...

Ping....running for cover.....

I thought GRP = Glass Reinforced Plastic

The only steel would be in the encapsulated keel.

[hamburking]

It seems to be a decent boat which could be excellent for singlehanding.

As stated by others above, the minimum would be to add autohelm. My preference would be hydraulic, below deck.

Furling jib is pretty standard as well, to keep you off the foredeck when things get dicey.

Running lines aft is not such a big deal as others seem to think. Some well placed blocks and new longer lines can do the trick. Being able to reef from the cockpit is a big feature when sailing alone.

As for price, it depends on your local boat market. In many areas, including mine, its a buyers market. You should pay what you think is fair, and is within your budget. Whatever you think you might spend on upgrades and repairs, triple that number and deduct it from the asking price.

I recently sold my boat for about 40% less than my original asking price, and I'm still pretty happy with the deal.