wrote:
A number of months ago I began my search for a sailboat. I am an
upper
Chesapeake sailor who, a few years down the road, will do some
coastal
cruising. I am looking for a boat that I can sail solo (I want to
sail
solo - if I wanted to hook-up with crew, I would have taken up golf),
but that can also confortably accomodate three adults for a weekend
cruise.But the principal criteria is its ease/security in solo
sailing.
I am a retiring athlete and I am sick of racing, so I have no
interest
in Type-A sailing.I prefer a stable boat; i.e., one that can be out
there when most of the other boats have left (I still like
adventure).
On the other hand, I do not want a boat that will DNF (did not
finish)
in light air.I started with many boats on my list, admittedly 35 plus
ft. After taking ASA 101-104 and gaining more experience, I have come
to realize that smaller is better. I have read every book available
on
solo sailing and I am aware of the rigging, equipment, etc.
recommended
for single handing. I want to stay under 50k. I prefer, but am not
married to, 'classic plastic',and I prefer solid hull boats. Also
note;
I plan to use a mooring so as to avoid the difficulties of leaving
and
returning to a slip. My short list:
-I really like the Bristol 'decimal' line (29.9, 31.1, 35.5),
though I am aware that they are relatively slow and bad at backing
under motor.
-The Sabre 30-34 are on my list
-The Hunter Cherubini's 30,33, even 37 seem to be a real value,
though the 'owner's forums' are full of wet deck/rudder-problem
stories.
I have been on the 'owner's forums' for all of these boats and have
solicited opinions. Any neutral/objective suggestions. My strategy at
this point is to go with the 'best condition' boat that I can find
under 50k.I, of course, will get it surveyed. Brian, Havre de Grace

As a somewhat experienced "singlehander" [Islander 29'] I would advise
you that you can singlehand almost any boat. But there's a couple of
things that make it much simpler & safer. First of all try to stay
under about 32' feet,,,, any bigger than that and the sail area gets
too big to handle comfortably. And, if not already equipped, get an
anchor windlass, either manual or electric [manual's preferred, it
always works]. Dragging 100' or more of chain on board is difficult,
especially if it's blowing. And finally, outfit your boat with
wind-vane self steering. Nothing worse than having to be at the helm
continuously, especially on a passage longer than a few hours. Allows
you to get a little sleep, fix a meal, and relax a bit.

Incidentally, life's too short to own a wooden boat, despite their
charm.

Cheers,
T. Sanders
S/V Cimba
Single Handed Sailing Association
Marina Del Rey
Southern California

wrote:

As a somewhat experienced "singlehander" [Islander 29'] I would
advise you that you can single-hand almost any boat. But there's a
couple of things that make it much simpler & safer. First of all
try to stay under about 32' feet,,,, any bigger than that and the
sail area gets too big to handle comfortably ...

Point taken.

I have been single-handing a 28 footer since 1981. Never considered a
bigger boat. A friend of mine sailed a boat just like mine for a number of
years, later deciding that 40 feet was "just right." He sold the 28 and
bought into a lovely Bristol 40 (and I mean lovely). Then the boat sat for
a very long time, other than when he could round up crew (not often).

The boat is now on the market and my friend is looking for something under
30
feet. Unfortunately his is not a rare case.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

what are you sailing (or did I miss it in your text )? Nice boat!!

wrote:
what are you sailing (or did I miss it in your text )? Nice boat!!

If directed at me, I am owned by a Cape Dory 28.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

"Armond Perretta" wrote in message
...
wrote:
what are you sailing (or did I miss it in your text )? Nice boat!!

If directed at me, I am owned by a Cape Dory 28.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

Probably takes good care of you though. g

Lots of good comments here, BUT...

I'll return to shilling for Freedom by opining that absolute length
alone is not a decisive factor. For instance, under power in tight
quarters, I'd rather dock any 35 ft. fin keeler than a sub-30 ft. full
keeler.

Under sail, general handling while raising and lowering sails,
switching to engine, anchoring, mooring, etc. my experience has been
that a Freedom 36 (or 38) is infinitely easier to singlehand than any
"standard" Marconi-rig sub-30 footer. And yes that includes
singlehanding a tri-radial 'chute, which I wouldn't even try on most
keelboats.

And going to 40 ft., I'll remind y'all that Garry Hoyt singlehanded his
*engineless* prototype Freedom 40 all around the Caribbean, winning
races against full crews, and anchoring and docking in notoriously
crowded harbors.

And the Freedom 44 is essentially the same setup as the 40. So, AFAIC,
we're up to 44 feet and still comfortably singlehanding. With the right
boat.

Frank

Frank wrote:

Under sail, general handling while raising and lowering sails,
switching to engine, anchoring, mooring, etc. my experience has been
that a Freedom 36 (or 38) is infinitely easier to singlehand than
any "standard" Marconi-rig sub-30 footer. And yes that includes
singlehanding a tri-radial 'chute, which I wouldn't even try on most
keelboats.

I think that, once again, "it depends." I single hand a 28 foot sloop and
routinely set a conventional tri-radial spinnaker without mishap. I'm no
athlete or "diehard" racer, but I like to keep the boat moving, and that's
what's required. However once you get up near 40 feet, a tri-radial can get
to be a lot of cloth very quickly. In addition the average bloke will
usually decide it's just too much trouble in many cases, and resort to
fossil fuels. Among the cruising people I've known, laziness is often
considered a virtue.

And going to 40 ft., I'll remind y'all that Garry Hoyt singlehanded
his *engineless* prototype Freedom 40 all around the Caribbean,
winning races against full crews, and anchoring and docking in
notoriously crowded harbors ... And the Freedom 44 is essentially the
same setup as the 40. So, AFAIC, we're up to 44 feet and still comfortably
singlehanding. With the right boat.

There are individual cases on both ends that support whatever argument is in
need of support. Michael Ritchie sailed "Jester" all over the place, and
someone or other sailed "Mediteranee" (sp?) to those same places. "Jester"
was about 26 feet, and the other multi-masted monster was ten times her
length. Length alone is not a limiting factor, but for average folks it's a
reasonable indicator.

I think the main factor for practical people is that while length increases
linearly, related items do not. Volume, weight, equipment size, and cost
definitely do not stay within the bounds as length increases. And in my
experience it's usually the smaller boats that leave the mooring regularly,
while the larger boats are waiting either for crew, or for refrigeration
spares and parts.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/