John,

Having read the posts to your question I offer you this advice.

Read "Singlehanded Sailing" by Richard Henderson. It is an interesting
book that covers many aspects of singlehanded sailing including the
psychological motivations. The anecdotal stories themselves are worth
the effort.

He describes many solo boats, and some of their short comings.

He also describes what, in his opinion, makes an ideal blue water
singlehanded boat. In short (all approximations):
35 feet LOA
28 feet LWL
Bean 9.5
Displacement - 17,000 lbs
Draft 5.7
Cutter rig
Full keel
Vane steering

You will find that the Murray 33, a steel boat, comes very close to this
description. A fact I happily discovered AFTER purchasing the boat. I
got lucky.

There are other steel boats of similar description, the Ganleys come to
mind.


Howard wrote:
John,

I just got back from a few days of singlehanded deer hunting. I look
forward to reading this thread. Being quick to jump in I'm going to
answer without waiting to see what others have said.

I started sailing a couple of years ago. I bought a Murray 33. It is a
steel sloop designed by Ted Brewer. They are reasonably priced and
there are two on the market right now. Do an advanced search on
Yachtworld.com for hull=steel, length=33 to 33 feet, anywhere, anytime.

Ted Brewer recommends the cutter rig for blue water. Design particulars
are on Tedbrewer.com.

I have 1,200 miles singlehanded with her by now. Southwest Nova Scotia
to Newfoundland and back to Sydney. Not an ocean crossing but several
overnights and enough weather to make me take the question seriously. If
I can do it, with my very limited experience, then the boat is OK.

My recommendation is based not upon my experience but the previous
owners. Without going into detail, he was recently rescued from a much
larger fiberglass yacht that was "breaking up", mid-Atlantic. His words
to me were that he really wished that he was on his old boat (mine) as
he could trust her and knew her strength.

The basic hull and design are fine. The outfit needs to be checked as
on any boat. Ted Brewer recommends the cutter rig for blue water. Design
particulars are on Tedbrewer.com but he omits the cutter rig which was a
later modification.

Howard


JohnM wrote:
I'm looking for a suitable boat for single handed cruising the Bahamas
for a
year then up the East coast and eventually across to the Mediteranian. I
realize many sailors single hand with guests or spouses aboard but I will
have more than myself aboard only on rare occasions, and perhaps in
port. I
was thinking of Beneteau 35 or similar. Would this be enough boat to
be safe
and comfortable.Thanks in advance for the help.