I have a 2003 Beneteau 473 2 cabin and I single hand the boat all the time.
With or without non-sailing passengers. If the boat is rigged for single
handed sailing 47 feet is not difficult to hande.

I'm a liveaboard with a dog so a Beneteau 35 would be cutting it close as
far as space goes. I'd look at the Beneteau 393 before I bought the
Beneteau 35. It is only a couple of feet longer and has a much kinder
interior design for staying on board for long periods of time.

Cap'n Ric
S/V Sezaneh