Boats Currently for sale for Single-handing

[Don C L]

Like Jim said, when I'm alone I spend most of my time at the companionway, so I think a flush deck boat might be harder in terms of the dodger, though I know a single-hander with a Cal 28 with a dodger and he seems fine with it. I always thought that Nonsuch boats looked good, but never sailed one. A boat that balances well and does well with a windvane is good. I'd say tiller over wheel.
Now as for what's for sale this one looks pretty good:
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...er-280394.html

[Don C L]

I really like this one too! Never sailed a trimaran, but I'd risk it!
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...le-280383.html

[JordanH]

Originally Posted by Cat Partners

I thought it would be nice to start a thread for single-handers to share what they feel is the best used boat(s) currently on the market for solo sailing.

I would think this purely depends on your needs... I mean... A Laser is a terrific boat for a single-hander, but not such a good boat for cruising single-handed. And a Contessa 26 is a wonderful boat for single-handed cruising but not for racing in the Vendee Globe. An Imoca 60 might be great for a single-handed circumnavigation, but not if you have the idea of gunkholing in small tributaries.


Are you cruising like Roger Barnes? https://www.youtube.com/@RogerRoving
Are you cruising like Nick Jaffe?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r3mno5oo7s

Are you cruising like Kirsten Neuschafer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPrEs4zBz8I

Are you cruising like these dudes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X92HCVE9mo

Ok, that's the long glib answer for any sailboat may be setup for single-handing, but not all boats are suitable for all types of sailing. Will you be day sailing? weekend cruising? coastal cruising? Trans-ocean cruising? Circumnavigating? Will you be a liveaboard or part-timing? Do you have a big budget or small budget?

Come to think of it, I just assumed you meant cruising because this is a cruiser forum. Will you be single-handed racing? or cruising? Or floating at a dock as a work from home office?

[thomm225]

Basically something like a 27' boat is best for a single hander or something smaller if sailing regularly from a marina

You can man handle the boat if it runs aground.

You can usually raise mainsail and tighten the jib without a winch

The sails are smaller, lighter, and easier to handle.

Power requirements are small for getting out of your slip so if you buy an older boat and the diesel fails an outboard is a very low priced option.

If sailing long distance offshore and not docking so much, I'd go larger.

How large is up to each to figure out.

[Enfant Du Vent]

Ahoy Cat Partners:
I did many miles of single-handing offshore passages.
ONE feature of my Ted Brewer design--the Douglas 32--was the bridge deck being wide enough to lay out on and take cat-naps.
You didn't have to chose the high-side of the cockpit...and risk rolling off. You didn't have to chose the low-side (to avoid said rolling off) but end up up in the puddle of slowly accumulating splashes of salt water.