Baba 30: too much load to single-hand?

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by wolfgal

Winter dream a pretty gal!

i see now, cn see how this could be an option for smaller boats. and has unaided advantage: one less hole in the boat.

i once considered a 28' boat with an electric engine. i still think about it and think that, in the future, this may be a good option for me once it is time for engine replacement.

your solution seems quite straight-forward though.

thanks.

Straight forward and much cheaper than a new diesel, but like you said it's only a good solution for small boats.

One positive though was that when I broke my boat's tiller a few weeks ago I was still able to dock the boat with just the outboard

But small boats will work you......

[wolfgal]

Originally Posted by Suijin

Don't forget the Baba is a cutter rig...which means your main is a bit smaller than a sloop, which makes it more manageable. The jib is (or should be) yankee cut which also makes it more manageable in terms of load at the winch.

I think the Baba is the perfect boat for you in terms of what you want to do with it, and I can't foresee any of it's displacement or rig being a problem for you. There are always ways to get more mechanical advantage in a boat if you're creative. I know plenty of women, some of them fairly small/slight and on bigger or more challenging boats, who single-hand their boats without a problem. One of them is 70 and on a Hans Christian 40.

I would be more concerned about the exterior brightwork. There is a lot of it. You best learn to like varnishing if you don't already.

They are gorgeous boats. The interiors are fabulous.

As far as docking goes, you'll get the hang of it. Sometimes there will be occasions where you just can't do it single-handed due to wind, current etc. You'll go throw out the hook until conditions change. It's more a matter of learning what you can and cannot do with the boat, and working with that. It has absolutely nothing to do with gender or strength, but rather one pair of hands and can only be at one spot on the boat at a time.

Yes, Suijin, i've looked high and low at sloops and get so shy: all that sail up there, in one piece! having bits and pieces to work with, according to the situation really seems like a good thing to me. and the one that has caught my eye has a yankee... that said, i think it was Kretchemer (again, not sure now) who recommenced a large genoa. in any case, this rig is a good choice for the size of the sails and for having two possibilities forward.

the teak: well, i've done varnishing on a 47 foot boat and honestly enjoyed it. how i'm going feel about it after year five, i cannot say. i guess it is a wait-n-see thing? again.... though i did read somewhere... one boat-with-teak owner rote, one choses what to vanish.

as for older women on bigger boats, yes, they are out there and i admire them all. the thing is, i've got a lot to learn, a lot of practicing to do, a lot of confidence to build... even though having more waterline would be ideal, a small boat seems plenty big to me.

as for the interior... for this size, i'd be surprised to find better


thank you!

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by wolfgal

Yes, Suijin, i've looked high and low at sloops and get so shy: all that sail up there, in one piece! having bits and pieces to work with, according to the situation really seems like a good thing to me. and the one that has caught my eye has a yankee... that said, i think it was Kretchemer (again, not sure now) who recommenced a large genoa. in any case, this rig is a good choice for the size of the sails and for having two possibilities forward.

the teak: well, i've done varnishing on a 47 foot boat and honestly enjoyed it. how i'm going feel about it after year five, i cannot say. i guess it is a wait-n-see thing? again.... though i did read somewhere... one boat-with-teak owner rote, one choses what to vanish.

as for older women on bigger boats, yes, they are out there and i admire them all. the thing is, i've got a lot to learn, a lot of practicing to do, a lot of confidence to build... even though having more waterline would be ideal, a small boat seems plenty big to me.

as for the interior... for this size, i'd be surprised to find better


thank you!

For cruising you cant beat a reliable diesel with a prop deep in the water. An outboard hanging of the back maybe fine for manouvering in a marina and flat water BUT in any decent seaway its not. Although we all want to be purists and always sail, the fact is that sometimes you need that engine and sometimes its really important that it dosent fail you, or cavitate,pop out the water etc.

My boat and engine are bigger, my boat sails well BUT i can assure you theres been times where ive been very glad to have the power and reliability of a good diesel.

Depends on the cruising you intend to do.

[wolfgal]

Originally Posted by daletournier

For cruising you cant beat a reliable diesel with a prop deep in the water. An outboard hanging of the back maybe fine for manouvering in a marina and flat water BUT in any decent seaway its not. Although we all want to be purists and always sail, the fact is that sometimes you need that engine and sometimes its really important that it dosent fail you, or cavitate,pop out the water etc.

My boat and engine are bigger, my boat sails well BUT i can assure you theres been times where ive been very glad to have the power and reliability of a good diesel.

Depends on the cruising you intend to do.

yes Dale, i imagine that this really does depend on how one uses the boat. and, on average, don't most actually sail one-third of the time any way?

how does the saying go?

one-third sailing, one-third motor-sailing, and one third motoring...?

thanks Dale!

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by daletournier

For cruising you cant beat a reliable diesel with a prop deep in the water. An outboard hanging of the back maybe fine for manouvering in a marina and flat water BUT in any decent seaway its not. Although we all want to be purists and always sail, the fact is that sometimes you need that engine and sometimes its really important that it dosent fail you, or cavitate,pop out the water etc.

My boat and engine are bigger, my boat sails well BUT i can assure you theres been times where ive been very glad to have the power and reliability of a good diesel.

Depends on the cruising you intend to do.

So far I've managed with the outboard, but I've been lucky a couple times.

The biggest problem with engines I've had is sometimes they shut off at the exact wrong time like coming into my creek between two rock jetties with a very strong tide (and wind)

I came in on Saturday sideways with engine running and most of my jib up (the furler was jammed and I couldn't raise the main either due to a fouled halyard). The Bay tide was going out strong and perpendicular to the creek's entranced. The tide was pushing the boat to port as was the wind so I angled all the way over to the starboard side of the creek and then started straightening up after getting inside the starboard jetty

My trips are usually under 70 miles out so fuel isn't normally a problem. I don't really want to have to carry a lot of gas. I usually have about 5 gallons onboard in two separate containers plus the 40 ounce integral tank on the outboard

Many times though I have had to motor 25 miles or so with my 5 hp outboard to get back on a Sunday

If you were long distance cruising and needed to motor for a few days an outboard wouldn't be a good idea unless you have the patience to wait days on the wind which many times I do not or were willing to carry lots of gas

As for seastate and outboards, that depends on the mounting, outboard shaft length, and type waves. I was motoring and sailing (most of the jib up) for the last 5 miles on Friday in winds still near 18-20 knots. Waves were still 3' or so and closely spaced. I had the bracket 3 settings down out of 4. I think this 2014 photo has the bracket on the lowest setting. I must say I was a bit surprised the motor didn't pop out once. I did have good speed though so maybe that helped

(new) Outboards can be a good alternative when a diesel fails on an older, smaller boat

[Pete17C]

Wolfgal,

Seems like you have a lot more experience than I do and I was single handing a Pearson 37 right after completing US Sailing Basic Keelboat and Basic Cruising classes. Being able to single hand was a major part of the schools philosophy.

The boat was set up for it though. Underway, all sail control (including raising and reefing the main) could be accomplished from the cockpit. It also had a Dutchman flaking setup, so dropping the main was just that, release the halyard and it settled into place, a tug or two and it's ready for the sail cover. Only had to go forward when anchoring, etc.

It's more about having the boat set up for it than trying to manhandle your way through it (or womanhandle ). With a few running rigging and convenience mods, you should have no problem single handing a 30 footer.

[boatman61]

Actually its a 28ftr with a bit of wood sticking out..
The only hard bit is reversing but this comes with practice and learning how to play prop walk to advantage.
The rest is pretty much straight forward just needs a 'can do' approach.

[daletournier]

Regarding can you manage the boat?Limitations are generally mental more than physical.

I have a friend arriving on his Bristol 32 tonight.

Hes just done 3100nm from Ascension to here singlehanded.

Now when I say singlehanded i should explain. Yes, hes by himself BUT he is missing one arm and one leg. His left arm was torn off from the shoulder. So no prostatic.

When he left Hawaii approx 5 years ago he didnt know how to sail other than what he had learnt on utube.

Hes an incredible example of what can be achieved with some mental grit.

[wolfgal]

Originally Posted by daletournier

Regarding can you manage the boat?Limitations are generally mental more than physical.

I have a friend arriving on his Bristol 32 tonight.

Hes just done 3100nm from Ascension to here singlehanded.

Now when I say singlehanded i should explain. Yes, hes by himself BUT he is missing one arm and one leg. His left arm was torn off from the shoulder. So no prostatic.

When he left Hawaii approx 5 years ago he didnt know how to sail other than what he had learnt on utube.

Hes an incredible example of what can be achieved with some mental grit.

oh! wow, your friend has made the most of life! i'm in awe.

yes, mental grit as you say it or 'can do' approach as Boatie puts it... yes yes... i guess the mountain looks bigger before one begins to climb.

that, and... my feeling is that, once i get out there, it will be more addictive than boat porn.


thanks guys, everyone!!!

[wolfgal]

Originally Posted by Pete17C

Wolfgal,

Seems like you have a lot more experience than I do and I was single handing a Pearson 37 right after completing US Sailing Basic Keelboat and Basic Cruising classes. Being able to single hand was a major part of the schools philosophy.

The boat was set up for it though. Underway, all sail control (including raising and reefing the main) could be accomplished from the cockpit. It also had a Dutchman flaking setup, so dropping the main was just that, release the halyard and it settled into place, a tug or two and it's ready for the sail cover. Only had to go forward when anchoring, etc.

It's more about having the boat set up for it than trying to manhandle your way through it (or womanhandle ). With a few running rigging and convenience mods, you should have no problem single handing a 30 footer.

yes, having all lines led aft and all those little things... will need to see about this too.

as for having more sailing experience than you... quite honestly, i think that if could have jumped onto my boat right after completing the classes i took, then there would not have been time for doubt to set in. thinking easily becomes over-thinking, and then one becomes one's worst enemy... not to mention the knowledge we forget if we do not apply it right away (was just re-reading my marine radio manual this morning)

when i was younger, i easily did it the Just Do It way. these days i find that i have to give myself a nudge... but i also know that this could change

[thomm225]

One thing to think about with this all lines leading aft business is that sometimes lines get fouled or tangled up and you have to go forward and straighten things out or retrieve a hung halyard

Point is things happen and when it's rough going forward can be a pain plus when the boat swings to one side or the other if you are forward at the mast you increase that so it's nice to have to do it some of the time so it isn't so new to you

I have to go forward to raise and lower the main. The jib is roller furling but once the jib head strap broke and the jib came down while sailing. Jib halyard was still at the top of the mast

It was late so I just left the jib piled on the foredeck and anchored for the night. Of all nights, the wind turned and waves were breaking at my anchorage which was just inside a bridge off the ocean. Also the boat was being pushed by wind and tide and the rode was along side the hull

While trying to get the boat to swing around at 3 in the morning, I took a wave over the side and got drenched. I quickly got my glasses and installed the hatch boards. Then the anchor came loose, started dragging. The jib is all over the foredeck.........I have very little room before being pushed aground. (3' below the keel)

It was an exciting night and I finally had to motor (after getting the anchor up) with the outboard popping in and out of the waves and locate another spot between fish traps in the dark with 3' waves still coming in but in 22' of water. Before I was in 7'. I slept like this to 0800 then went about retrieving the jib halyard by whipping it back and forth which allowed the furler swivel to drop 1" per good whip

In 45 minutes, I was able to sail to a good spot. Later I realized I could have probably used the topping lift as a jib halyard

[ttex]

We have been crawling through every nook and cranny of our Baba 35 for the past four months.

I cant imagine a more perfect boat. But im in love so I am a little biased.

[wolfgal]

Originally Posted by thomm225

One thing to think about with this all lines leading aft business is that sometimes lines get fouled or tangled up and you have to go forward and straighten things out or retrieve a hung halyard

Point is things happen and when it's rough going forward can be a pain plus when the boat swings to one side or the other if you are forward at the mast you increase that so it's nice to have to do it some of the time so it isn't so new to you

I have to go forward to raise and lower the main. The jib is roller furling but once the jib head strap broke and the jib came down while sailing. Jib halyard was still at the top of the mast

It was late so I just left the jib piled on the foredeck and anchored for the night. Of all nights, the wind turned and waves were breaking at my anchorage which was just inside a bridge off the ocean. Also the boat was being pushed by wind and tide and the rode was along side the hull

While trying to get the boat to swing around at 3 in the morning, I took a wave over the side and got drenched. I quickly got my glasses and installed the hatch boards. Then the anchor came loose, started dragging. The jib is all over the foredeck.........I have very little room before being pushed aground. (3' below the keel)

It was an exciting night and I finally had to motor (after getting the anchor up) with the outboard popping in and out of the waves and locate another spot between fish traps in the dark with 3' waves still coming in but in 22' of water. Before I was in 7'. I slept like this to 0800 then went about retrieving the jib halyard by whipping it back and forth which allowed the furler swivel to drop 1" per good whip

In 45 minutes, I was able to sail to a good spot. Later I realized I could have probably used the topping lift as a jib halyard

Oh, what a night!

fantastic story.

thanks for pointing out how things kind go sideways and, especially, the lessons you learned.

[Cheechako]

The Baba is a nice choice as long as you are up for the teak maintenance outside. Finding one without teak decks may be a bit hard, not sure. The Tashiba 31 I think is pretty much the same boat and I've seen them without teak decks. So consider that.
My friend had, and lived aboard, his Baba 30. Great boat.

Baba and Tashiba were both built by the same yard: Ta Shing. One of the best in the world. I heard some early Baba's were built somewhere else though.

Regarding the tanks I can't remember what the situation is as far as getting them out on the Baba. They could be fine. But worth looking closely at. When you survey, maybe you could get a sample out of a tank, taken from the tank bottom, to assess condition, rust etc. (Plastic syringe and clear tubing) Any old boat is suspect for tanks.

Tashiba 31: https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/tashiba-31

[wolfgal]

Originally Posted by ttex

We have been crawling through every nook and cranny of our Baba 35 for the past four months.

I cant imagine a more perfect boat. But im in love so I am a little biased.

i need to run out the door so will be back later , but -----



Aha!!! caught one (a Baba owner!). nice to meet you!

i've seen you around, seems you are working hard on that boat.

please tell me, is it difficult to arrange for the lines to be led aft?
does one need to deal with taking down headliners (are there headliners) in the cabin, etc?

have you heard of any osmosis problems to the hull/rudder?

anything i might need to look into (other than those things in my original post)?


thanks, you can pm me perhaps (unless folks on here are curious to know)... no idea.

Thanks!

wolfgal