I am 84 years old and been single handing boats for half a century, and I still don't know half of it, but Foolish makes a lot of good points. But they might just not be good points for your project.

You will not be able to keep a family happy as live-aboards on a boat under 38 ft, and better at least 40 ft. Don't be put off by size, the easiest boat I single handed was a 54 foot fero weighing 39 tons and the most demanding a twitchy little 26 footer. Sure the rig on the big boat was big but there are winches to handle that and the ease of working on a stable platform with decent side decks and room to work makde things comparatively easy. You really do need room for all the stuff that a family needs if they are to be still sailing a decade later - food, water, cloths, knitting, scrabble, internet, power and a chance for some private space.

If you are on your own a 33 footer will be OK, but try to put your family on one and you soon will be on your own,

The techniques for handling big cats and monos single handed are different to those needed on smaller boats but none of it is rocket science and with the second hand boat market as depressed as it is at the moment there are plenty of really well found older boats around. And fitting out for single handed sailing need not cost an arm and a leg. I have just finished fitting out a Ranger 33 as a geriatric single hander with top line stuff - Hypalon rib, davits, solar panel with MPPT controller, 12v eutectic frig, electric halyard and sheet winches, best wheel pilot available, Vulcan anchor on an oversize remote controlled winch, new spinnaker and an internal refit. Plenty of change left from $15,000. And there is a good chance of getting a boat with most of that stuff already fitted out.

And of all of the above the absolute must items were a top notch pilot and top-notch ground tackle. And an absolute must for me, centre boom sheeting after seeing a woman pinned to the cockpit coaming and life line by an end of boom sheet after an accidental gybe. No way could she have recovered by herself.

I read once that the first four boats you buy are preparation for buying the fifth. I've had a Holland 30, Manitou 32, Tophat, Albin Vega (27ft), and a year ago bought an Adams 31 CC. Bottoman line here is that Shamus shouldn't expect that the first boat he buys will be the boat he actually wants, no matter how hard he plans ahead...

PhoenixStar said..
I am 84 years old and been single handing boats for half a century, and I still don't know half of it, but Foolish makes a lot of good points. But they might just not be good points for your project.

You will not be able to keep a family happy as live-aboards on a boat under 38 ft, and better at least 40 ft. Don't be put off by size, the easiest boat I single handed was a 54 foot fero weighing 39 tons and the most demanding a twitchy little 26 footer. Sure the rig on the big boat was big but there are winches to handle that and the ease of working on a stable platform with decent side decks and room to work makde things comparatively easy. You really do need room for all the stuff that a family needs if they are to be still sailing a decade later - food, water, cloths, knitting, scrabble, internet, power and a chance for some private space.

If you are on your own a 33 footer will be OK, but try to put your family on one and you soon will be on your own,

The techniques for handling big cats and monos single handed are different to those needed on smaller boats but none of it is rocket science and with the second hand boat market as depressed as it is at the moment there are plenty of really well found older boats around. And fitting out for single handed sailing need not cost an arm and a leg. I have just finished fitting out a Ranger 33 as a geriatric single hander with top line stuff - Hypalon rib, davits, solar panel with MPPT controller, 12v eutectic frig, electric halyard and sheet winches, best wheel pilot available, Vulcan anchor on an oversize remote controlled winch, new spinnaker and an internal refit. Plenty of change left from $15,000. And there is a good chance of getting a boat with most of that stuff already fitted out.

And of all of the above the absolute must items were a top notch pilot and top-notch ground tackle. And an absolute must for me, centre boom sheeting after seeing a woman pinned to the cockpit coaming and life line by an end of boom sheet after an accidental gybe. No way could she have recovered by herself.

Wow ! Under 15k for all that gear how much were the electric winches ?

I paid 2.5 K for 2 manual self Taylor's !

A lot to do with weather a boat is suitable for short handed or solo sailing is to do with the setup more so than the size. You mentioned that your dad built a Roberts 43 they are not as fast as some but they are bullet proof I think you could do a lot worse than having a look at one of them. There is no way you are going to have enough room for a wife and 3 kids on a 30-33 ft boat.

twodogs1969 said...
A lot to do with weather a boat is suitable for short handed or solo sailing is to do with the setup more so than the size. You mentioned that your dad built a Roberts 43 they are not as fast as some but they are bullet proof I think you could do a lot worse than having a look at one of them. There is no way you are going to have enough room for a wife and 3 kids on a 30-33 ft boat.

That's what I was thinking dogs... there's been a few around. I quoted a steel 40 odd in one of my other posts. She looks bullet proof too... zizewi I think it's name was. Not set up for getting out single handed though. Did you see it up at the first posts?

www.boatsalestas.com.au/sail-monohulls/hanse-370e-jem/178662/


www.boatsalestas.com.au/sail-monohulls/catalina-387-dragonfly/162846/

www.boatsales.com.au/boats-for-sale/private/used/SSE-AD-1165106/1989-ADAMS-40?cr=0&psq=%28LengthInFeet%3Drange%5B34..40%5D%26%28%28%28%28State%3D%5BTasmania%5D%26%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BDealer%20used%20boats%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20new%20boats%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BPrivate%20used%20boats%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BDemo%20and%20near%20new%20boats%5D%29%29%26Service%3D%5BBoatsales%5D%29%26HullType%3D%5BMono%5D%29%26Usage%3D%5BCruising%5D%29%29&pso=0&pss=Premium

or a cheap fixer upper
boatbrokers.com.au/boat-details/?de=169827

And of course one of my favorites twist his arm hard Id say
www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/dealer/used/OAG-AD-12111971/1980-HANS-CHRISTIAN-38?cr=0&psq=%28%28Make%3D%5BHANS%20CHRISTIAN%5D%26%28%28%28SiloType%3DDealer%20used%20boats%7CSiloType%3DDealer%20new%20boats%29%7CSiloType%3DPrivate%20used%20boats%29%7CSiloType%3DDemo%20and%20near%20new%20boats%29%29%26Service%3DBoatsales%29&pso=0&pss=Premium

twodogs1969 said...
Yeah I did personally I prefer glass. Another option for you would be to look at a boat close to you lots of yanks sail out to the islands decide to go no further and sell the boat so some cheap buys to be had there.

Why glass preferably?

if you are considering a steel boat the book that this mob wrote about building their steel cruising yacht is a good read:

www.yachtmollymawk.com/about/

www.yachtmollymawk.com/books/how-not-to-build-a-boat/

SandS said..
http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/dealer/used/OAG-AD-12111971/1980-HANS-CHRISTIAN-38?cr=0&psq=%28%28Make%3D%5BHANS%20CHRISTIAN%5D%26%28%28%28SiloType%3DDealer%20used%20boats%7CSiloType%3DDealer%20new%20boats%29%7CSiloType%3DPrivate%20used%20boats%29%7CSiloType%3DDemo%20and%20near%20new%20boats%29%29%26Service%3DBoatsales%29&pso=0&pss=Premium


HG that is magfookingnifacent !!!!!!

So you going to sponsor me Sands just let me know where to see the bill for the above

SandS said..
http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/dealer/used/OAG-AD-12111971/1980-HANS-CHRISTIAN-38?cr=0&psq=%28%28Make%3D%5BHANS%20CHRISTIAN%5D%26%28%28%28SiloType%3DDealer%20used%20boats%7CSiloType%3DDealer%20new%20boats%29%7CSiloType%3DPrivate%20used%20boats%29%7CSiloType%3DDemo%20and%20near%20new%20boats%29%29%26Service%3DBoatsales%29&pso=0&pss=Premium


HG that is magfookingnifacent !!!!!!

Id fit a new force ten stove with oven But she looks like a well kept H.C. and reasonably set up Sands . low hour motor . wind vane
I just love the sweet tush they have Sands
plus is the stay sail on these
Oh well Guess Ill go paint my boat now wet dreams are over

twodogs1969 said..

SemusMcgilicoty said...

twodogs1969 said...
Yeah I did personally I prefer glass. Another option for you would be to look at a boat close to you lots of yanks sail out to the islands decide to go no further and sell the boat so some cheap buys to be had there.

Why glass preferably?

It is a personal thing but for me ease of maintenance. I don't plan on hitting things so steel or aluminum's main plus is can hit rocks and sail off with a dint so don't want to go to the extra maintenance program steel requires. I love the look and romance of timber but again not the maintenance.

Spot on. Steel yachts are mainly for those who lack confidence in their sailing and navigation abilities as most steel yacht aficionados say "You can bounce them off rocks with out putting a hole in them." That is like speaking it into existence.

Further, the life of fibreglass has not yet been determined. Construction in fibreglass became mainstream 1960s. I recently sold an S&S34 that was built in 1969 that had experienced a hard life and it was solid as the proverbial brick out house. Relevant article here:- www.ericgreeneassociates.com/images/Boat_Longevity.pdf

I have owned plywood, aluminium, fibreglass and one steel yacht. I would go with aluminium or fibreglass any day, but never again steel.

For yachts 35 to 55 feet in length or more, aluminium is ideal. Weight for weight it is stronger than steel.

For yachts 35 feet and under, fibreglass is an immensely strong material.

How was the Easter sail Shaggy?? Inspiring enough for you to enter the race next year???

SemusMcgilicoty
members.optusnet.com.au/coastalcruising/introcruising.htm



This would be a good read for you

PhoenixStar said..
I am 84 years old and been single handing boats for half a century, and I still don't know half of it, but Foolish makes a lot of good points. But they might just not be good points for your project.

You will not be able to keep a family happy as live-aboards on a boat under 38 ft, and better at least 40 ft. Don't be put off by size, the easiest boat I single handed was a 54 foot fero weighing 39 tons and the most demanding a twitchy little 26 footer. Sure the rig on the big boat was big but there are winches to handle that and the ease of working on a stable platform with decent side decks and room to work makde things comparatively easy. You really do need room for all the stuff that a family needs if they are to be still sailing a decade later - food, water, cloths, knitting, scrabble, internet, power and a chance for some private space.

If you are on your own a 33 footer will be OK, but try to put your family on one and you soon will be on your own,

The techniques for handling big cats and monos single handed are different to those needed on smaller boats but none of it is rocket science and with the second hand boat market as depressed as it is at the moment there are plenty of really well found older boats around. And fitting out for single handed sailing need not cost an arm and a leg. I have just finished fitting out a Ranger 33 as a geriatric single hander with top line stuff - Hypalon rib, davits, solar panel with MPPT controller, 12v eutectic frig, electric halyard and sheet winches, best wheel pilot available, Vulcan anchor on an oversize remote controlled winch, new spinnaker and an internal refit. Plenty of change left from $15,000. And there is a good chance of getting a boat with most of that stuff already fitted out.

And of all of the above the absolute must items were a top notch pilot and top-notch ground tackle. And an absolute must for me, centre boom sheeting after seeing a woman pinned to the cockpit coaming and life line by an end of boom sheet after an accidental gybe. No way could she have recovered by herself.

I have one thing to say to you Sir... you are a legend!! I hope I'm still as full of life as you are when I'm 84.

Couldn't agree more - the only strife I ever got into with second hand boats were the ones I paid to have surveyed. I cant remember a surveyer finding anything I didn't already know about and they all missed expensive problems.