Single handed monohull blue water recommendations

[cruisingdog]

Hi, I’m considering getting back into sailing and want to look at a yacht that I could single hand sail on blue water passages. What I’m after is a boat that has a very good record and has the right amenities for long passages. Would like a skeg’d rudder but find boats like that these days is harder.

Was thinking 36’ or there abouts. Any thoughts about that. I had a Catalina 28 before and that was relatively easy single handed.

Would like to be around the $40k price but I have a fair amount of wiggle room. I want to keep some dry powder for repairs and upgrades along with maintenance.

Appreciate all thoughts and may the winds be on your backs and the going easy! 😁

Cheers.🍺

[marcjsmith]

Older moody’s (80’s) in the 34-38’ range could fit your price point. And many have skeg hung partially balanced rudders. Good construction solid hulls no core. Pleasing lines

I regularly single hand my 376. Obviously single handing on the bay is a bit different than a passage, but I’d have no issues with a properly sorted boat heading out.

[gnetwerker]

There a couple of Caliber 35s in the market right now in roughly your price range. I have a Caliber 38. Skeg-hung rudder, partial/cut-away keel (fully encapsulated), solid, well-built hull. Considered in general to be solid bluewater boats. Not made anymore, but there's plenty of info around.

I don't know about the 35s but the 38 and 40s are cutters, which can be easier to short-hand than a sloop. All lines are led back to the cockpit/coach roof.

[Spindrift NH]

Pearson 365/367
One of our members has/had one for sale in the bay area recently

[Greatest Lakes]

Don't go too big. The bits and pieces costs go up exponentially, and it's much easier to do a small boat in a lot of ports. In your price range, a Columbia or Morgan might do the job. They both used a lot of skegs or full length keels. Sturdy construction as well.

[barnakiel]

From my limited angle of view, I would consider boats like or similar to the following :


small : (25ft+)


IF and clones (e.g. Contessa 26, etc)
Vancouvers 26,27,28 and clones
PS Mariah, 27 and onwards
Victoria / Frances and clones
etc etc etc


small+ : (30-34ft)


Contessa 32 and clones,
Victoria 34
Valiant 32
PS 34
Rival 32, 34 and clones
Baba 35,
Vancouver 32
BCC


mid-size : (36+ ft)


Rival 36
Valiant 40
PS 37,
HCH34, 37
Vancouver 42
Swan 38


etc etc etc


I would look for simplicity and strength of the structure and rig. No spade rudders. No wheel. New standing rigging, new engine and new sails.


Few and simple boat systems. Biggish water tank (300L minimum, bigger better).


No teak deck. Small deep and comfortable cockpit. Preferably cockpit seats long enough to sleep on.


Moneywise, I would spend only 50% of my boat budget on the boat, keeping the remaining 50% for fixes and upgrades. I could go upwards of 50% myself, but I do not recommend this for a newcomer.


I would look to buy where I could keep the boat cheap in water or on dry for at least 3 months prior to departure. And close to boatyards, chandleries and other such early needs.


barnakiel

[Don C L]

I had an old friend who used to singlehand his Cal 40 all over the place. Got me thinking I might look at one if I were contemplating going further afield. My little boat is great but a little too little for my taste for more distant voyaging.

[Greatest Lakes]

Originally Posted by Don C L

I had an old friend who used to singlehand his Cal 40 all over the place. Got me thinking I might look at one if I were contemplating going further afield. My little boat is great but a little too little for my taste for more distant voyaging.

I know I could have taken my Columbia 9.6 anywhere with water deep enough to float it. It's close quarters handling under power was quite good, particularly if not fighting a current.

My Morgan 41 does not turn at low speed nearly as well as my Columbia did. Where I could pivot the Columbia around within its length, the Morgan feels more like a powerboat with a rudder. The Morgan is an extraordinarily comfortable cruiser so far though. The Columbia was a delight, but not as good of a long distance cruiser. Required more attention. The Morgan barely needs an autopilot once you have it trimmed out.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Don C L

I had an old friend who used to singlehand his Cal 40 all over the place. Got me thinking I might look at one if I were contemplating going further afield. My little boat is great but a little too little for my taste for more distant voyaging.

Just for the heck of it I checked and it looks like there is a Cal 40 in Richmond there. Cosmetically challenged but looks to have the basics. Asking $28k. I have no idea if that is your cup of tea, but it sure piqued my interest! I actually started to think about where I could find a slip...