largest one person sailboat

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Princess Y78 yacht tour: The biggest boat you can run without crew

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The Princess Y78 is right on the cusp between owner-operated boats and superyachts. Nick takes us on a full yacht tour

For many, the joy of boating is the freedom to go where you want, when you want and with who you want – and for this reason, boats that limbo under the 24m LWL mark are always in demand.

This is the point above which all sorts of regulations around crew, licensing and more kick in as your yacht technically becomes a superyacht .

The Princess Y78 that Nick tours in this video is a great example and could be considered that largest boat that you can run without any kind of professional help.

It would take a very experienced owner-operator to run one of these, though, as the Y78 is a serious piece of machinery.

As well as offering four guest cabins and a decent crew quarters, the Y78’s engine room comes kitted out with a pair of MAN V12s for a top speed of 36 knots.

In boat that weighs over 54 tonnes, you need to know what you’re doing with that kind of power under your control.

And with an asking price just under £3m before tax, maybe a hiring a professional captain wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all…

Specification

LOA: 80ft 9in (24.67m) Beam: 18ft 11in (5.76m) Draft: 5ft 8in (1.72m) Displacement: 54,085kg (119,237lbs) Fuel capacity: 6,000l (1,320 gal) Water capacity: 1,350l (297 gal) Engines: Twin 1800hp MAN V12 Top speed: 36 knots Price: £2.95m (ex. VAT)

Delphia 10 boat tour: great value family cruiser

Cormate utility 27 tour: 80mph rocketship at a price you won’t believe, arksen 85 explorer tour: the ultimate long-range cruiser.

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How Big Of A Sailboat Can One Person Handle?

During all the years I have been sailing, especially as a small-boat sailor, one question invariably comes up. And depending on where the discussion takes place, possible answers are all over the board from well-meaning people accustomed to traditional answers to this classic question.

With social media and the general free-for-all of everything now published, printed, texted, emailed, and discussed on the dock and at boat shows, it seems to be as popular as ever.

Just how large a sailboat can one person sail single handed?

A 40-foot sailboat is the maximum size for one person to be able to single-handedly control safely . It can be successfully argued up or down a couple of feet, based on the experience and abilities of the sailor. This has been proven by a great many accomplished people.

Many sailors have done amazing voyages in boats well under this length, and others have made serious cruises on boats that are considerably larger. But a word of caution is in order. To focus only on length overshadows other important criteria. Other factors figure heavily in determining the suitability of a big sailboat for single-handed operation.

I am not talking about racing around the world by professional sailors, or across oceans to some destination hundreds (or thousands) of miles away. Rather, I am talking about an average sailor, man or woman, of average stature and physical condition, who has experience and chooses to sail alone. It may be a temporary lifestyle situation, or some other factor that sets the solo requirement for a boat that is to be safely sailed on a regular basis.

( Below: Youtuber Captain Christa sailing her 31-foot boat by herself. )

Another often overlooked kind of solo sailor is one whose spouse or partner cannot meaningfully contribute to operation of the boat. They may be disabled in some way that keeps them from taking part in the activity. Or they may be completely uninterested or inexperienced in sailing, or both, and they come along for the travel and adventure experience. I suspect this may be a larger part of the sailing community than many of us will admit. But if the boat can be out sailing under the control of the short-handed sailor, everyone is happy, and they get to explore new places and see the world together.

There has never been a size unanimously accepted for sailing voyages in the past. Even a brief look back at sailboat cruising shows that size is not universally important. John Guzzwell sailed around the world in his 19-foot Trekka, Tanya Aebi circled the globe in her Taylor 26 (the Canadian version of the Contessa 26), and Frank Casper cruised extensively on his 30-foot Elsie. On the other end of the spectrum is Bill Pinkey on his Valiant 47 circumnavigation, and, of course, who could forget Alain Colas crossing the Atlantic on his 236-foot, four-masted Club Mediterranee?

Mark Schrader sailed around all five capes on his Valiant 40, as did Jeanne Socrates more recently on her 38-foot Najad. Robin Lee Graham went around most of the world on his 24-foot Dove, and 16-year-old Laura Dekker made the record books on her 40-foot Guppy.

So, it should be clear that overall size is just a number, and not the only factor. Keep in mind that many of these voyages, particularly ones going after a record of some kind, did not involve regularly getting in and out of slips and marinas. And for others, it is just common sense that many small boats were chosen for financial reasons (and perhaps it was the boat they already had).

( Below: Solo-Sailor Jeanne Socrates on S/V Nereida arrives in Victoria Harbor. )

When we look at many of these examples, I acknowledge that having a boat with only sitting headroom in the saloon is certainly doable, if not all that comfortable for full-time living. Small boats are inherently slower (forget the notion of 200-mile days), and simply don’t provide the quality of living experience many of us expect in the 21st Century.

Even as I write this, though, I know there are people quietly living aboard a 20-foot Pacific Seacraft Flicka or some other munchkin cruiser. I know, I was once one of them.

I have always enjoyed the simplicity and tuck-into-anywhere versatility of a small cruising boat. While I never harbored the dream of sailing to Hawaii like John Letcher in his 20-foot Island Girl, I did fantasize about living the good life in a sailboat under 26 feet. Those were the days. Every inch needed to serve double duty, interior furniture regularly transformed for other purposes: a galley, chart table, and liquor cabinet all in one. In my mind somehow it all worked.

But I was young and immortal.

Again, we are talking about an average man or woman, without Olympic-level physical ability, who is simply looking for a boat to enjoy cruising or perhaps live aboard. People like you and me, who may be young or old, and possess some sailing experience. A Catalina 30 or Southern Cross 28 is quite a comfy home for the right person, fully capable of extended coastal cruising. A well-appointed 36-footer may be the height of luxury for others.

There are many examples of boats out there with only a single person aboard. But as these sailboats get larger, so does their volume and weight, and the required equipment and deck gear gets more expensive and complex to handle the increased loads. At some point the relatively complicated systems to ease the chores of sail handling and close quarter maneuvering include electric or hydraulic winches, furling gear, windlasses, autopilots, and electronics. These systems are generally very reliable, if not foolproof, and require regular maintenance and occasional service.

Big boats also need lots of electric power for these systems and general house service, so it is not uncommon to run a generator much of the time under way when sailing. In recent years, new forms of power generation are out there, including more efficient diesel generators. And there are more choices for water, wind, and solar power generation as well.

The original 64-foot Kiwi Spirit II, sailed solo by 80-year-old Stanley Paris , proved too much boat for the aging sailor, as its systems were too complex and required continuous work to keep operational. His next KSII was only 53 feet overall but, while it was easier to handle, still too proved too much. The reality is that big boats are rarely, if ever, simple boats. And simple is good when it comes to solo sailing.

( Below: Stanley Paris on board Kiwi Spirit II. )

That being said, Jimmy Cornell, author of World Cruising Routes and founder of those popular ocean crossing rallies, gave a slideshow of today’s current cruising scene, based on data collected as host of his many events. The size of cruising sailboats has steadily increased over the years, mainly because current designs and systems fit the needs of many cruising couples and others. In his most recent survey, presented at the start of the Covid pandemic, he showed that the average size of cruising yachts cruising around the world (but not necessarily going around the world), is just over 43 feet. Most of these boats are sailed by couples. Yachts checking into Tahiti now average 45.2 feet. So, it seems that for extended world cruising with two or more crew, larger sailboats are mainstream, whether monohull or catamaran.

I am a member of the Ocean Cruising Club , and the biannual publication shares the adventures of members who are out cruising. The trend for most of these people, again mostly couples and those cruising with friends, is to be on larger boats than one would have expected some years ago. To read stories from people cruising on 54-foot yachts is common. The few solo cruisers who publish are in much smaller boats, often well under 30 feet.

There is an often-repeated “rule” that single sailors should not expect to handle a sail larger than 300 to 400 square feet. I don’t know where this came from, but it seems to be a universal belief. And there is also the conclusion that interior comfort can be sacrificed if the reduced boat size makes it easier to handle. As far as I am concerned, neither is the case these days.

While the complexity of systems on a large sailboat (50 to 60+ feet) may be intimidating for the average sailor, systems sized for a 40-foot or smaller sailboat are not, and often include some form of manual assist or backup. Electric winches on a 40-foot sailboat are really nice to have and are nothing compared to the monsters one finds on large sailboats. I sailed to Bermuda on an 83-foot sailboat with hydraulic winches, and they were impressive. And huge.

I spoke to Jonathan Bartlett , who runs the Annapolis loft for North Sails. North Sails is a big player in today’s sailing world, with over 70 lofts around the world. Jonathan’s years of experience certainly qualify him to speak with authority.

He never mentioned the 300 to 400-square-foot argument. His more immediate concern was the importance of a single person being able to get a big boat in and out of a slip. Even with a bow thruster, one often must be at the bow to fend off a piling or another boat, and if you are alone, who is driving at the helm? There may also be windage issues. And if one’s boat proves too difficult (ie., scary) to move in and out of the slip without drama, how often will he or she be inclined to even go out???

Jonathan said that, in his opinion, the largest boat size to be considered for a single sailor is 40 feet. And he feels that is more than enough boat for most everyone. Today’s boat designs offer as much interior volume and accommodations in 40 feet as the 45-footers of the 1990s. That is more than enough room for a single sailor, even for living aboard. Anything above 40 feet is just too much…living space, overall volume, and effort.

On the flip side, he added that the decks of small boats are often difficult to move around without stepping on tracks, cars, lines, and all sorts of other obstacles.

“A boat’s deck layout is really important for a single sailor,” he said. “Great footing is critical, and there should be fewer tracks to walk on, or having to walk between shrouds when moving around the boat.

( Below: The 348 from Hanse Yachts gives you the ability to control the entire Helmsman system from the cockpit. )

“How a boat is set up is way more important that the size of the sails.”

Jonathan pointed out that many of today’s sailboats are intentionally made to be easy to sail, with furling mainsails and smaller headsails. “Compared to the mid-1990s, we are getting away from large genoas, replacing them with larger mainsails. These mainsails are captive, easily reefed, and under complete control with full battens.”

He went on to say that smaller headsails are easier to trim, and for the solo sailor, why it is also vital that sail trim duties take place at the helm in the cockpit, so the single sailor can do it all from one place without a lot of moving around. The days of working at the mast are over.

“Look at the French designers and builders,” he went on. “They get it. The Jeanneau and Beneteau lines, for example, are all about very simple-to-sail controls, sails are easy to put up and take down, and the boats are very sailor friendly. That is what gets people to go sailing, because it is easy and fun.”

Big, powerful mainsails have mostly replaced large headsails, and short-footed headsails are easy to manage. Bartlett pointed out that the J/105 is a good example of a boat that is easy to sail. When it is easy to trim the main and jib from the helm, it is simple…and makes people want to go sailing.

( Below: The J/105 from builder J-Boats. )

To further the simplicity argument, he suggested that, instead of the traditional spinnaker or Code Zero for light air, a gennaker in a sock is a better fit for the single sailor and probably the way to go. The gennaker is a free-flying asymmetric spinnaker that does not require a spinnaker pole and is flown from the bow. It is easy to control and can even be used when the boat is steered by an autopilot. It is easy to put up and take down, and one can drive the boat downwind in full control.

“Our sport pushes bigger boats than is usually called for,” he added. “And some builders consider their boats suitable to be single-handed, even when they probably aren’t. Hallberg-Rassy and Hylas come to mind.”

Two boats that he mentioned in our conversation as good examples of nice sail plans and controls are the Harbor 20 daysailer and the Outbound 44. I know the Harbor 20 fleet is a popular one-design at the Annapolis Yacht Club, as it epitomizes a sail plan that is so easy to sail, easily managed by one person. And he thinks the Outbound has a great deck layout and overall consideration for sail handling by a short-handed crew. While it is on the bigger side of the 40-foot mark, especially now as it is replaced by the Outbound 46, he feels the builder continues to work to make it fit the needs of the solo sailor. But at 46 feet, it can be a challenge to dock in close quarters.

Another line he feels hits the mark are the newer, 39 to 40-foot Jeanneau and Beneteau boats. They are also very simple and easy to sail from the helm. This makes people want to go out sailing again and again. The lack of drama is a lot more important than many realize.

The Tartan line of sailboats from Seattle Yachts now come with the Cruise Control Rig (CCR), designed to make sailing easier and put the controls back in the cockpit where they belong. Self-tacking jibs and furling boom mainsails go a long way to make life easier, safer, and more fun.

As far as sails go, Jonathan said the solo sailor should look at sails that are lighter and have lower stretch qualities. Traditional Dacron sails are heavy and “stretchier,” whereas new composite sails offer light weight and are flatter in shape that won’t easily stretch. Heavy Dacron sails are also harder to trim and tack.

If one is outfitting a boat for solo sailing, composite sails are the way to go.

I have long been told that a larger boat is easier to handle at sea, as the motion is more settled. I think that is true, especially when compared to a 28-footer bouncing around in choppy seas. Up to a point (and that 40-foot mark) a boat’s motion can be more comfortable, under way, at anchor, or at the dock. That is especially true if one minimizes weight at both ends of the boat. Small boats tend to hobbyhorse when sailing because it is difficult to keep the ends light.

On a bigger boat from a good designer, the boat’s motion is not only easier to live with but is decidedly faster through the water. Daily runs are possible that can not be achieved in smaller hulls.

Another consideration is space. Small boats compromise space in every respect. For a single person (and the sailor who cruises with a non-sailing spouse), accommodations on a 40-footer are more than enough, and there is still space for increased fuel and water tankage for longer range and self-sufficiency. Being able to motor a long distance is no longer a luxury in many cruising areas and having sufficient water supply lessens the requirements for a watermaker.

Additional space also means one can carry more batteries, and the components of other systems, and proper access to them. It is imperative to have good access for a happy ship.

As I already mentioned, having a way to generate electricity while sailing is vital, to power all the systems, electronics, and autopilot. This gets harder to fit inside a small boat and represents a real challenge. Access is usually also compromised in the process of fitting it all in.

I am not pushing that everyone buy a big boat, but I know from past experience that when sailing a smaller boat, under 36 feet for sure, even more so under 30 feet, there is a greater chance of tripping as one moves about. It is almost unavoidable, as there is just so much under foot. Cars and tracks, running rigging, trim, shrouds, items secured to lifelines, and those hideous wire jacklines that some idiot came up with that roll when stepped on, causing many a sailor to lose their balance. On a larger boat, deck space is often less cluttered, and provides more sure footing, even as we eliminate the need to go work at the mast or foredeck in the first place.

( Below: A young Bill Parlatore in 1977 putting baggywrinkle in the rigging of my wood, gaff-rigged Tahiti ketch. )

And staying on the boat is a top priority no matter what size boat you sail. For anyone sailing alone, the use of strong, non-stretch webbing jacklines is highly recommended. Being attached to the boat is critical for personal safety. If set up properly, wearing a harness and staying clipped onto the boat as one moves around the deck is neither inconvenient nor difficult. It is also the only way to have two hands free with any degree of security. The alternative of not being attached to the boat is unthinkable, as there are no good ways to get back aboard if one goes over the side.

I once asked Dodge Morgan about his man overboard contingency, if any. He gave a presentation of his around the world trip on the 60-foot American Promise at a Safety at Sea seminar in Annapolis. American Promise was a heavy, yet fast sailboat designed by Ted Hood, specifically to sail nonstop around the world as quickly as possible. It did so in record time, cutting the previous record in half.

When I asked Dodge about what provision he made for falling overboard, he said that any overboard rescue device he might have for that situation was just “a sick joke” in his mind. Once you go overboard when sailing alone offshore, the game is over.

Every effort should be made to make it safe to move about the boat when sailing and to stay aboard. This is important no matter what size boat you sail.

While I have many fond memories of sailing small boats and making coffee in the early morning at anchor on a swinging stove by the companionway, now I am older, wiser, and no longer immortal. So, offsetting any flexibility and balance issues, I have more wisdom and budget to pursue what makes sense now.

If I went looking for sailboat to continue sailing by myself, I suspect I would be looking for a boat that does everything I want, and is close to, if not dead on, that 40-foot mark. I might start looking at 36 feet, but I expect my interest in creature comforts would dictate a larger platform. The idea of a separate shower is appealing to me now, as are the many spaces and lockers that allow me to put things in proper places where I can get to them easily without fumbling through lockers. The main anchor on the boat would be big, but not as overwhelming as one finds on larger boats.

I also think my comfort level in a roomy interior would make a world of difference as I relax at anchor these days. I’m no longer interested in transformer-style accommodations. I relish the idea of easily stepping into a dinghy or water taxi from the stern, which is a much higher priority than it might have been years ago. A proper chart table and saloon are also well worth the price of admission, as well as plenty of opening hatches to let in the breeze.

And for the solo sailor with a “guest” aboard, it is much the same. They should be able to handle the boat by themselves and accept that the second person really only contributes to the enjoyment of the accommodations, and perhaps reading the cruising guide, leaving the physical aspects of sailing to the sailor.

There is no reason why a single person should have to give up much of anything with today’s modern sailboat, and they should get the smallest big boat that works for them, all the way up to 40 feet, plus or minus a foot or two.

The right boat will provide a great platform for adventure, without the drama, anxiety, and emotion of trying to handle too much, or suffering from too small a cruiser that forces us into camping mode at the stage in life where we should be enjoying the fruits of a successful life.

See you on the water.

Enjoy these other sailboat related articles :

• Owning A Sailboat - Frequently Asked Questions
• What Is The Safest Sailboat?
• Is Sailing A Cheap Hobby?
• What Are The Different Types Of Sailboats?
• And Now For You Sailboat Owners Out There
• Is Sailing Hard?
• The Unexpected Side Of An Aging Sailor
• What Is The Best Size Sailboat To Live On?
• How Big Of A Boat Do You Need To Sail Around The World?
• Moving From A Sailboat To A Trawler
• Extend Your Sailing Life
• How Much Does An Average Sailboat Cost?

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Choosing the Right One Person Sailboat: Your Guide to the Perfect Vessel

Choosing the right sailboat can be a daunting task, especially for those looking to sail solo. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. However, with a little research and consideration, finding the perfect one-person sailboat can be a rewarding and enjoyable process.

Table of Contents

Understanding Sailboat Basics

When it comes to choosing the right one person sailboat, it’s important to have a basic understanding of sailboat anatomy and terminology. This knowledge will help you make an informed decision and communicate effectively with other sailors.

The hull is the main body of the sailboat and is responsible for keeping the vessel afloat. Sailboats can have either a monohull or a multihull design. Monohulls have a single hull, while multihulls have two or more hulls. Monohulls are generally more stable in rough seas, while multihulls offer more speed and maneuverability.

The rigging is the system of ropes and wires that support the mast and sails. There are several types of rigging, including sloop, cutter, ketch, and yawl. The sloop rig is the most common and consists of a single mast with one mainsail and one jib. The cutter rig has two headsails and a mainsail, while the ketch and yawl rigs have two masts.

Sails are the primary means of propulsion for a sailboat. The mainsail is the largest sail and is attached to the mast and boom. The headsail, also known as the jib or genoa, is attached to the forestay at the bow of the boat. There are also other types of sails, such as spinnakers and gennakers, which are used for downwind sailing.

The keel is a heavy fin or bulb located at the bottom of the hull. It provides stability and prevents the boat from capsizing. Keels can be fixed or retractable, and can be made of various materials, such as lead or steel.

Sailboats are steered using a rudder, which is a flat piece of metal or fiberglass attached to the back of the boat. The rudder is controlled by a tiller or a wheel, and is used to steer the boat left or right.

Assessing Your Sailing Needs

When it comes to choosing the right one-person sailboat, it’s important to assess your sailing needs. This will help you determine what type of sailboat is best suited for you. Here are some factors to consider:

Identifying Your Sailing Goals

The first step in assessing your sailing needs is to identify your sailing goals. Do you want to sail competitively or just for leisure? Are you looking to sail on a lake, river, or ocean? Do you plan to sail alone or with others? Answering these questions will help you determine what type of sailboat is best suited for your needs.

Determining Your Budget

Another important factor to consider is your budget. Sailboats can range in price from a few thousand dollars to over a million. Determine how much you are willing to spend on a sailboat, and then research the different options within your budget. Keep in mind that there are additional costs to consider, such as maintenance, storage, and insurance.

Once you have identified your sailing goals and determined your budget, you can begin researching different types of sailboats. Consider factors such as size, weight, and ease of use. It’s also important to test sailboats before making a purchase to ensure that they meet your needs.

Exploring Different Types of One Person Sailboats

When it comes to choosing a sailboat for one person, there are various types to consider. Each type has its own unique features and purposes, making it essential to understand what each one offers. In this section, we will explore the different types of one person sailboats, including dinghies, skiffs, and catamarans.

Dinghies are small sailboats that are perfect for one person sailing. They are lightweight, easy to handle, and can be sailed in a variety of conditions. Dinghies are ideal for beginners as they provide a stable platform for learning the basics of sailing. They come in various sizes, with the smallest being around 7 feet and the largest being around 15 feet.

Some popular dinghies for one person sailing include the RS Aero, Laser, and Sunfish. These boats are designed to be sailed single-handedly, making them perfect for solo sailing adventures.

Skiffs are another type of one person sailboat that is popular among sailors. They are lightweight, fast, and perfect for racing. Skiffs are designed to be sailed on flat water, making them ideal for lakes and rivers.

Some popular skiffs for one person sailing include the Melges 14, RS 100, and the Weta Trimaran. These boats are designed to be fast and agile, making them perfect for racing and high-performance sailing.

Catamarans are a type of sailboat that has two hulls instead of one. They are fast, stable, and perfect for one person sailing. Catamarans are ideal for sailing in shallow waters and can be sailed in a variety of conditions.

Some popular catamarans for one person sailing include the Hobie Wave, Nacra 15, and the A-Class Catamaran. These boats are designed to be fast and stable, making them perfect for solo sailing adventures.

Key Features to Consider in a One Person Sailboat

When choosing a one person sailboat, there are several key features to consider. These features will impact the safety, comfort, and performance of the vessel. Here are some of the most important factors to keep in mind:

Hull Design

The hull design of a sailboat can greatly impact its performance and stability. When selecting a one person sailboat, it is important to consider the following hull design features:

• Beam: A wider beam provides more stability, but can also make the boat harder to maneuver in tight spaces.
• Draft: A deeper draft allows for better upwind performance, but can limit the boat’s ability to navigate shallow waters.
• Shape: A rounder hull shape provides a smoother ride in choppy waters, while a flatter hull shape allows for better speed in calmer conditions.

The sail plan of a sailboat refers to the size and configuration of its sails. When choosing a one person sailboat, it is important to consider the following sail plan features:

• Mainsail Size: A smaller mainsail is easier to handle for a single sailor, but may limit the boat’s overall performance in stronger winds.
• Jib Size: A smaller jib is also easier to handle, but may limit the boat’s ability to sail upwind.
• Furling System: A furling system allows for easier sail handling, but can add weight and complexity to the boat.

Rigging System

The rigging system of a sailboat refers to the various ropes and lines used to control the sails. When selecting a one person sailboat, it is important to consider the following rigging system features:

• Single Line Reefing: A single line reefing system allows for easier reefing of the mainsail, which can be important for single sailors.
• Self-Tacking Jib: A self-tacking jib allows for easier handling of the jib, which can be important for single sailors.
• Autopilot: An autopilot system can help a single sailor manage the boat’s course and speed, but can add cost and complexity to the boat.

Evaluating Sailboat Brands and Manufacturers

When evaluating sailboat brands and manufacturers, there are several factors to consider. This section will cover the reputation, quality of construction, and customer support of sailboat brands and manufacturers.

A brand’s reputation can be a good indicator of the quality of their sailboats. Some of the most well-known and reputable sailboat brands include Jeanneau, Beneteau, and Tartan. These brands have been producing sailboats for many years and have a strong reputation for quality and reliability.

Quality of Construction

The quality of construction is another important factor to consider when evaluating sailboat brands and manufacturers. A well-constructed sailboat will be more durable and require less maintenance over time. Some of the top sailboat manufacturers that prioritize quality of construction include Pacific Seacraft and Amel.

Customer Support

Customer support is also an important consideration when evaluating sailboat brands and manufacturers. A company with good customer support will be more responsive to customer needs and provide better service overall. Some of the top sailboat manufacturers with good customer support include Hunter and J Boats.

Making the Purchase

When it comes to buying a one person sailboat, there are a few things to consider before making a purchase. This section will cover the two main considerations: new vs. used and where to buy.

New vs. Used

One of the first decisions to make is whether to buy a new or used sailboat. There are pros and cons to each option, and it ultimately depends on personal preference and budget.

New Sailboats

Buying a new sailboat means that the buyer is the first owner, and the boat comes with a warranty. A new sailboat may also have the latest technology and design features, which can be appealing to some buyers. However, new sailboats are typically more expensive than used sailboats, and the buyer may have to wait for the boat to be manufactured and shipped.

Used Sailboats

Used sailboats are often less expensive than new sailboats, and there is a wider selection available. Buyers can also potentially find a sailboat that has been well-maintained and upgraded by the previous owner. However, used sailboats may have hidden issues or require costly repairs, and buyers may not have a warranty.

Where to Buy

Once the decision is made between new and used, the next step is to determine where to buy the sailboat. Here are some options to consider:

Dealerships

Sailboat dealerships are a good option for buyers who want to purchase a new sailboat. Dealerships typically have a wide selection of new sailboats and can offer financing options. They may also have a service department for maintenance and repairs.

Private Sellers

Private sellers can be a good option for buyers who want to purchase a used sailboat. Buyers can often find used sailboats for sale through online marketplaces or classified ads. However, buyers should be cautious when buying from a private seller and should thoroughly inspect the sailboat before making a purchase.

Auctions can be a good option for buyers who are looking for a deal on a sailboat. Buyers can potentially find a sailboat at a lower price than buying through a dealership or private seller. However, buyers should do their research before bidding and should be prepared to pay for any repairs or maintenance needed.

In conclusion, choosing the right one-person sailboat can be a daunting task, but with the right knowledge, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. It’s important to consider the type of sailing you plan to do, your skill level, and your budget when selecting a sailboat.

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The Largest Sailboat You Should Get For Your Solo Adventure

I still remember the day like it was yesterday when I asked myself: “How big of a sailboat can one person handle?” I had absolutely no idea and didn’t even know how to sail back then. Many years later, I’ve got the experience and knowledge to answer this question for you in detail.

A beginner should stay below 40 feet until they get some experience. With moderate experience, one person can comfortably handle a 45-foot sailboat. To exceed 45 feet, you want to have a high level of experience and a boat with systems to assist you in handling your sails and equipment.

As with everything else related to sailing, the ability to handle a sailboat depends significantly on your sailing experience, physical fitness, and how the boat you want to sail is set up.

Determining the size of sailboat you can handle depending on experience and sailing systems

There is a massive variety of sailboats; many are well suited for single or short-handed sailing, while others require a crew to be sailed safely. One thing to also keep in mind is that even when sailing as a couple, you’ll be in situations where only one of you will be available to handle the sailboat.

Especially if you plan on doing extended sailing with frequent overnight passages. There may be situations where your better (or worse) half is sick or unable to help in a tense situation, and you’re on your own to handle the boat. So please do yourself a favor and be realistic with yourself and your capabilities before choosing the size of your boat.

Can you reef a massive sail by yourself in a sudden 50-knot storm in the middle of the night? Only you know the answer to that after you’ve tried it. Since we’re all different in our level of fitness and capability, I’ll keep the average person as a reference throughout this article, and you’ll have to consider where you stand in relation to this before making a choice.

Right, with the pep-talk done, let’s move on!

After chatting with several oldtimers with half a lifetime of bluewater sailing, we all came to the same conclusion. The table below shows approximately how big of a sailboat one person with good physical fitness can handle depending on configuration and experience level:

Critical elements to consider for handling a large sailboat alone

This article refers to sizes above 45 feet when discussing large sailboats. Once we get past 45 feet, we reach a point where the sail area is close to or bigger than 500 ft 2 or 45 m 2 on a modern sloop. It takes serious physical strength to handle sails of this size manually. Ketch-rigged sailboats spread the total sail area over an additional mizzen sail to allow easier sail handling of the individual sails.

Handling big sails is just one task that gets increasingly difficult on bigger boats. Your lines and equipment are more substantial in size and heavier as well. Leading all the lines back to the cockpit makes for an easier short-handed setup and keeps you in the safety of the cockpit in most situations.

Another thing worth mentioning is the price tag for buying and maintaining a large boat. The cost increases exponentially with size, so I recommend purchasing the smallest boat you are comfortable being on and the biggest you feel comfortable sailing and operating within a price range you can afford.

Most people looking to sail solo will end up with a sailboat in the 35-45-foot size range, especially if they plan to spend extended time onboard. You may be looking at smaller vessels too, but remember that you’ll sacrifice more space and speed the smaller the boat you choose.

There are many good reasons why you want to go bigger as well, and you should know that you definitely can. Just consider what can be challenging on a larger boat versus a smaller one and understand what you get yourself into.

Finding the right size range is all about the balance between what your capabilities can handle, the size of your cruising budget, and your preference for comfort and amenities onboard.

Let us have a look at some of the tasks we need to be able to handle on a sailboat alone, which might be more demanding on a larger boat.

By the way, I wrote an article about the ideal size for a liveaboard sailboat that is more relevant for those who won’t be sailing solo,

Operational tasks at sea

• Hoist, lower, furl, and reef sails in various conditions
• Trimming the sails
• Steering the boat
• Navigating in various conditions

Managing the sails can be solved in a couple of ways. If you choose a ketch, you’ll have less sail area to handle at a time at the expense of an additional mizzen sail. Many modern sloop-rigged sailboats above 45 feet have electrical winches, making hoisting, furling, and trimming sails easier. Electrical winches are usually reliable and can still be operated manually in case of failure.

Even below this size range, most modern boats have an autopilot, making it dramatically easier to handle the boat alone. A good autopilot is said to be the most valued crew member onboard, and I agree. My autopilot even has a name; Raymond is a trusted companion who hasn’t disappointed me. ( Yet, knock on wood )

The problem when relying on electric systems is that we might be in big trouble if they fail, which is an essential factor to consider and make a backup plan for. When you have years of sailing experience, you know how to handle situations well and what you can do to make things simpler for yourself.

Think about this: Can you manually reef your massive sails if the wind suddenly increases to 50 knots?

And yes, that does happen offshore.

Operational tasks going to port or mooring

• Dropping and lifting the anchor
• Maneuver the boat in and out of a marina or port
• Tie the boat to the dock or pontoon

On a 45-55 foot sailboat, you will typically have an anchor that weighs 30-45 kg or 65-100 lbs. That anchor is attached to a 10-12mm chain. If you anchored at a 10m water depth, you probably have at least 50 meters of chain out.

The weight of 12mm chain is about 3.4 kg or 7.5 lbs per meter. This means you have 170kg or 375 lbs of chain in the water plus the weight of your anchor. Pulling that weight up from the seabed is a challenging workout that makes you want to rely on your windlass. But windlasses can fail, and I speak from experience.

I have pulled my 25 kg Rocna together with 75kg of chain off the seabed a few times, and I sweat at the thought of handling anything larger. On a smaller boat, the ground tackle weighs a lot less and is more manageable for one person.

Docking a large sailboat

Maneuvering any size sailboat into port is nerve-wracking for most people their first few times. I remember being scared to death my first few times docking by myself, and I didn’t have a bow thruster to assist. You won’t be able to push or single-handedly move a sailboat above 45 foot by yourself if there is a little bit of wind.

Modern vessels of this size usually have a bow thruster, making it significantly easier to maneuver the vessel into tight areas and marinas. My friend, who has been sailing his entire life, lives aboard and sails his close to 55 foot sailboat. His boat has a bow and stern thruster, making it easier to maneuver than my 40 foot boat!

Now, most boats don’t have that luxury, and a lot of practice will be necessary for getting confident in and out of a marina. NauticEd has a course on maneuvering by engine and docking that you may want to look at here .

Conclusion: Is it realistic to sail a large sailboat by yourself?

With a decent level of experience and a well-equipped sailboat adequately set up for single-handed operation, it is absolutely possible to handle a large sailboat alone. I know several sailors who sail large vessels by themselves.

As long as you have some sailing experience and good physical fitness, are aware of your limitations, and have a decent plan in case of equipment failure, you will, in most everyday situations, be able to handle a 50 foot sailboat and possibly larger alone. If you plan on buying a large sailboat, remember to consider the factors we have looked at in this article and be realistic about your budget.

There are just as many people upgrading to a bigger boat as downgrading to a smaller one. What size sailboat is right for you comes down to your needs, experience level, and budget. Take your time to make the right decision if you want to buy a boat, and be realistic about your capabilities and experience before you take on the task of sailing a large sailboat by yourself.

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Robin is the founder and owner of Sailing Ellidah and has been living on his sailboat since 2019. He is currently on a journey to sail around the world and is passionate about writing his story and helpful content to inspire others who share his interest in sailing.

I am writing a novel in which knowledge of sailing and sailboats would be helpful. Would you be available to answer an occasional technical question via email? The setting is primarily the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Pontchartrain, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, but will include time in the Bahamas and Caymans. The time is 1964-65.

Hoping to hear from you, and thanks.

Send me an email and I’ll do my best to assist you!

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Can You Sail Alone & In What Sailboats? (Size & Type)

Before you set sail alone, you need to understand the risks and challenges involved, such as falling overboard and not being able to get back on or being overwhelmed by any boat problems that may arise. To help you avoid such situations, you should know a few things when considering solo sailing and what types and sizes of sailboats you should opt for.

You can sail alone, but the recommended sailboat size is under 46 feet, as anything larger can be difficult to handle. The maximum size for single-handed sailing is under 35 feet. Smaller boats with lengths of no more than 27 or 28 feet are highly recommended, as they are easier to handle alone.

Specific sailboats are designed for single-handed sailing, such as the Tartan 3700, Hunter Channel 31, and J boats 109. These sailboats are created with features that make them easier to maneuver, such as self-tacking jibs and autopilot systems. Let's get to know other specific sailboat models and what type of sailboats they fall under.

• If you're a beginner or have limited experience, smaller boats in the 10–20-foot range are ideal for solo sailing.
• Sailboats with a canting keel or ballast system are ideal for solo sailing.
• Sailboats with automation systems, electric winches, and electric windlasses make it easier to handle the boat alone.
• A well-designed boat with efficient rigging will make it easier to handle even when you're alone.
• Keelboats are perfect for solo sailing in rough seas, as their fixed keel provides them stability and helps prevent the boat from capsizing.

Sailboats For Solo Sailing

Below is a table showing a few of the top sailboat choices suitable for solo sailing:

Ideal sailboat size for solo sailing

The size of the sailboat will impact your safety, comfort, and the activities you can do aboard the boat. Here are the different sizes of sailboats that are suitable for solo sailing:

Small sailboats for solo sailing

Small sailboats are ideal for beginners who want to sail solo. These sailboats are easy to handle and require minimal maintenance.

They are also affordable and can be towed behind a car. Small sailboats range from 8 to 16 feet in length and can be sailed in calm waters.

Some popular small sailboats for solo sailing include:

Medium-sized sailboats for solo sailing

Medium-sized sailboats are larger and more complex than small sailboats. They require more maintenance and are more expensive. Medium-sized sailboats range from 20 to 30 feet in length and can be sailed in both calm and rough waters.

Some popular medium-sized sailboats for solo sailing include:

• Catalina 250
• Island Packet 27

Large sailboats for solo sailing

Large sailboats are suitable for experienced sailors who want to sail solo on long-distance voyages. These sailboats are the largest and most complex of all sailboats.

They require a lot of maintenance and are the most expensive. Large sailboats range from 30 to 40 feet in length and can be sailed in all types of waters.

Some popular large sailboats for solo sailing include:

• Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
• Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389
• Bavaria Cruiser 37

To get more insight on this, you can also read our article on What’s the Largest Boat One Person Can Operate?

Types of sailboats suitable for solo sailing

There are several types of sailboats that are suitable for solo sailing. Some of the most popular types are the following:

Dinghies are perfect for short solo trips

These small, lightweight boats are easy to handle and are perfect for solo sailing. They are also great for beginners who are just learning to sail. Dinghies are perfect for short solo trips and racing due to a number of reasons:

• They are small and lightweight, which makes them easy to handle and maneuver. This means that a solo sailor can easily control the boat without the need for additional crew members.
• They are fast and responsive, which makes them ideal for racing and short trips. They are designed to be sailed in relatively calm waters, such as lakes and sheltered bays, which are perfect for short solo trips.
• They are relatively inexpensive compared to other types of sailboats. They are also easy to transport, which means that a sailor can easily take their dinghy to different locations for solo sailing adventures.
• They offer a great way to develop sailing skills, as they require a high level of skill and concentration to sail effectively. Solo sailing a dinghy can help a sailor develop the skills and confidence needed to sail larger boats in the future.

Examples of dinghies suitable for solo sailing include the following:

Keelboats are a good option for solo sailing in rough waters

Keelboats are larger than dinghies and have a fixed keel, which provides stability. They are also easy to handle and are suitable for solo sailing.

Keelboats are a good option for solo sailors who want to sail in rougher waters. They are more stable than dinghies and can handle stronger winds.

Since keelboats have a fixed keel, it provides them stability and helps to prevent the boat from capsizing in rough waters. This means that a solo sailor can sail with greater confidence and safety in rough conditions. Examples of keelboats suitable for solo sailing include the following:

Cruising boats are ideal for extended solo trips

Cruising boats are a popular choice for solo sailors who want to embark on extended trips. These boats are designed to be comfortable and safe for long periods of time at sea.

They typically have larger cabins, more storage space, and more amenities than smaller boats. However, they also require more experience and skill to handle.

Examples of cruising boats suitable for solo sailing include:

• Island Packet 38
• Catalina 320

These boats are designed for comfort and safety, with spacious cabins and plenty of storage space for supplies and equipment. Island Packet 38 is considered one of the best bluewater sailboats that are worthy to consider for solo sailing.

Need more examples of sailboats that can be sailed single-handedly ? Here's an article for you.

The Basics Of Solo Sailing

Sailing alone is possible, and there are many sailboats designed for single-handed sailing. However, before you set sail alone, you first need to understand the risks and challenges involved, as well as the essential skills you need to learn.

Risks and challenges of solo sailing

Here are a few risks and challenges that you may encounter when solo sailing:

• Isolation: Solo sailors spend extended periods of time alone on their boats, which can be mentally and emotionally challenging. The isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness, boredom, and even depression.
• Physical strain: Sailing a boat solo requires a lot of physical exertion, including hoisting sails, navigating, and performing maintenance tasks. This can be especially challenging during rough weather conditions.
• Equipment failure: When sailing solo, there is no one else to help if equipment fails or if there is an emergency. This means that solo sailors must be skilled in troubleshooting and repairing their boats, and must be prepared to handle any situation that arises.
• Weather conditions: Solo sailors must be able to navigate and handle their boats in a variety of weather conditions, including storms and high winds. They must also be able to make quick decisions in order to avoid dangerous situations.
• Sleep deprivation: Solo sailors must be able to function on very little sleep, as they are often required to stay awake for long periods of time in order to navigate and monitor their boats.

Essential skills for solo sailing

To sail alone safely, you need to have a range of skills and knowledge, including the following:

Sailing skills: You should have a good understanding of how to sail your boat, including how to handle the sails, steer the boat, and navigate. Here are 5 pro tips on how you can raise the mainsail single-handedly .

Safety skills: You should know how to handle emergency situations, such as man overboard, capsize, or collision. You should also have a good understanding of basic first aid.

Navigation skills: You should be able to navigate using charts, GPS, and other tools. You should also have a good understanding of weather patterns and how they can affect your sailing.

You can refer to this article for a list of the most important single-handed sailing equipment you will need in your journey.

• Maintenance skills: You should be able to perform basic maintenance on your boat, including checking and repairing equipment.
• Communication skills: You should be able to communicate effectively with other sailors, marinas, and emergency services if needed.

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The Biggest Catamaran One Person Can Sail Safely? (A Study Of Sailors Experience)

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Sailing is an exhilarating experience, and one thing that gets me the most passionate is teamwork and seeing everyone doing the correct things at the correct time. Although I love teamwork, I find sailors that take their boat out on their own, amazing and very inspiring.

This has led me to ask the question: What is the largest catamaran one person can sail on their own (solo sailing)?  I started a poll and collected data from over 100 sailors, and here you have it! This is how big of a catamaran people can safely sail single-handed.

Keep reading to understand which factors make a boat more or less suited for short-handed sailing.

Table of Contents

Conclusion of The Study

Most people (46%) who took the poll answered that they would not be comfortable sailing  a catamaran larger than 40 ft safely. This is also the same size that I recommended in my video on best on the best-sized catamaran for ocean sailing, which you can watch below or  read this article .

Many commented that larger boats, and the sails would be difficult to reef efficiently and safely and also that their view would be hindered, making docking and port navigation much harder.

33% of the responders said that they would be comfortable with a boat a big as 50ft  before the size started becoming a problem; most of this group also mentioned that they are sailors with a lot of experience and many years in the industry. Some argued that navigating offshore is very easy, but the difficulty mainly lies in stormy weather, where most would appreciate a helping hand.

19% responded that they would handle any boat as long as it was set up correctly and they were taught the right skills.  This, of course, makes sense in an imaginative world where it is possible to outfit any boat with the most recent automatic equipment and train anyone to the highest level. Respecting this answer, I have put a section further below discussing the technical aspects of solo sailing.

Above 50ft in length, very few (1 respondent) felt comfortable sailing safely independently.

Why Size Does Not Matter

Considering the 20% that answer size doesnt matter, let’s look at what they thought did matter. Skills and Gear

There is no better enabler than actually knowing what you are doing; if you lack the skills, you will probably end up in a bad way no matter what gear you have.

The skills that were mentioned surrounded mainly the ability to handle rough weather and to dock and navigate a marina safely. Long calm passages under autopilot seemed to be very easy.

Bow thruster and High Tech gear

Solo sailing a large catamaran means you will have to leave some work to computers and machinery, which includes hoisting and reefing sails by electric winches. On some exclusive cats, it will also do the trimming of the sails for you.

Most people will never sail a boat with automatic trimming due to it being very expensive; electric winches, on the other hand, are common on 38ft+ cats.

One of the most nervous aspects of sailing is docking, this is where many accidents happen, and this is where it becomes very tricky if you are on your own. Bow thrusters (impellers that can move the boat sideways) activated by the move of a joystick make docking much easier, sadly it is a costly system that very few cats employ.

The assumption is that if you are properly trained and have enough money to buy allt the gear in the industry, you can safely sail any size vessel. This is not the reality for most people, so let’s look at most respondents’ experiences.

Limiting Factors

The limiting factors are the things that make it hard to solo sail your boat; anything that makes it less safe and manageable will be on this list. Let’s check it out!

Heavy sails

Once the cat gets longer, the larger the sails’ surface area will be, and therefore also their weight; this means that unless you are on an electric winch system, getting your sails up might be very hard or impossible. This problem usually starts around 45ft. Getting physically prepared is necessary for safe sailing.

Limited view

Once you pass 40ft, many people mentioned the problems of seeing what’s in front of you ; on some cats, this is not a problem at all, especially with flybridge, but on most small movement in a marina can get really tricky.

It’s common to the sensation you get when you are used to driving your mom’s fiat, and then you get back into your truck. It’s hard to know where the car or boat actually is.

Time to move from cockpit to cleats

Another aspect is simply the time it takes, from changing the engine settings to attaching your boat to a cleat. The longer the boat is, the longer time it takes you to move from one to the other when you need to make corrections.

And if you are unlucky, it will take just a little bit too long, and you scratch your neighbor’s boat. Something that is not too uncommon.

Setting Up Yourself and Your Boat For Solo Sailing

Here are some essential tips for setting up your boat for solo adventures; if you want the complete guide, I would recommend you  read this.

• Ensure all controls go to the cockpit; this is vital for safe cruising since it eliminates the need to move around the boat to access various controls.
• Use a center cleat for docking; this really is a pro tip that will make life so much easier. The center cleat makes attaching the lines much more accessible and will make it possible to “spring of the dock,” a maneuver that solo sailors love since it allows them to use a single line to untie from the dock. Something that the captain can do from the cockpit.
• Use an autopilot. This is probably one of the most useful tools since it allows you to multitask while at sea. Instead of always being on watch and steering the boat, you are now able to pop your head up from time to time and use the rest of the time for cooking, repair, or get some rest!

Practice sailing solo

The respondents’ most important factor was skills; the list below tries to summarize the data and help you take the next step towards your solo sailing adventure.

• Bring a crew  but let them be passive; if something happens, they will be there for you to solve the situation, but until then, you are on your own. This will create a safe learning situation where you are able to see where your skill level is at and to become better and better in a safe way. This is especially useful when docking!
• Dry practice before you go out;  walk through different situations in your head and then do it in the safety of the dock. This is a potent skill that will increase your learning curve, and once you get out on the water, you already know most of the moves you need to do, where the different lines as, etc.

Check out this article on Short-Handed sailing of catamarans

Thanks for reading, and I hope you like this type of data collection and analysis useful! Safe Sails!

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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No Crew Required

• By Chris Caswell
• Updated: June 18, 2009

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A growing number of yachts are being operated “short-handed,” the nautical term for a voyage with fewer than the usual number of crew members. In the yachting world, it was not long ago that owning a 70-footer meant having a dedicated captain and at least one crew member.

Today, however, there are a growing number of yachts in the 60- to 80-foot range being handled by husband-and-wife teams. And this isn’t just weekend marina-hopping, either, but voyages that stretch the lengths of continents and span oceans.

John and Linda Langan who, in 16 months, have ranged from Alaska to Mexico and are currently in the Caribbean aboard their Nordhavn 47, are now accustomed to short-handed cruising. “At first it was daunting, now it’s no big thing,” they happily report.

A multitude of factors have not only made this possible, but desirable. Modern technology has provided warping winches that can turn a 100-pound woman into Arnold Schwarzenegger when it comes to handling dock lines, while bow and stern thrusters make docking easier. There are more young couples acquiring larger yachts these days, yet not really wanting paid crew. And at the other end, there are “empty-nesters,” who want to be able to take out family or friends occasionally, yet still remain independent.

Regardless of the reasons, boatbuilders are seizing on this new market, creating fleets of yachts aimed at short-handed cruisers. We talked to a number of owner-operators, as well as boatbuilders, to gather some of the hard-won tips and techniques that make short-handed cruising possible. Here’s a look at what we learned.

Pick the Right Yacht

The design features needed for short-handed cruising are a matter of common sense. One of the keys to simplified boat-handling, according to one skipper, is the ability to “be everywhere at once.”

This means you need wide side decks that allow you to move easily from bow to stern, with bulwarks or rails high enough to make movement underway safe. It requires having doors on each side of a pilothouse so the skipper can step out to lend a hand quickly. Look for flying bridge stairs that are conveniently located and safe in all conditions. Inside, a pilot berth or convertible settee might be a good idea, so a second person is close at hand during night passages.

Outfit the Yacht

Once you’ve chosen the yacht, you need to outfit it with short-handing in mind, which generally falls into two categories: Extra power and simplicity.

Docking is always the biggest concern for a husband-and-wife team, but several modern conveniences turn this into a “no worries” area. First, bow and stern thrusters allow the skipper to place the yacht precisely against a dock. Second, warping winches on the stern allow one person to easily move a 40-ton yacht. Third, remote helm controls put the skipper where he can see everything, as well as lend a hand as needed. And last (but certainly not least!), the dawn of Zeus or IPS drive power allows joystick control that can pivot the yacht in any direction and even hold station effortlessly.

For Barry and Alice Allred, the bow and stern thrusters aboard their Outer Reef 65, Risky Business, are a godsend. “Choosing hydraulic progressive Trac thrusters was our wisest investment,” says Barry. “I can place the boat against the dock and then hold it there indefinitely while I help with the docklines.” Progressive thrusters can be left in the thrusting position and, being hydraulic, can be used continuously because they don’t have overheating issues.

Warping winches were named as one of the most popular options by boatbuilders, and several owners noted that using them meant they could easily muscle in a spring line-even against wind and current. They also allow the positioning of the yacht to be done from on board, rather than relying on dock helpers. Lydia Biggie, who has cruised the length of the Eastern Seaboard with her husband, John, aboard their Outer Reef 73, SeeYa, always passes the eye of the dockline ashore, so she can control the length from on board.

The ability of the skipper to operate the engines and thrusters from locations other than the helm was also mentioned as very important by short-handed crews. Options include wing controls hidden in a bulwark outside the pilothouse or on the afterdeck, as well as corded control boxes that can be plugged in at various locations around the yacht. Aboard Risky Business, for example, plug locations include the bow (for anchoring), the stern, and both sides of the bridge.

Ample and properly sized fenders were mentioned as valuable to short-handers, because they protect the yacht until all the lines are secured. Several skippers mentioned that they have premarked fender lines, so they can be secured at a set height before being hung over the side. This is particularly important with large or heavy fenders being handled by a small person.

Another valuable piece of deck gear that short-handers mentioned is “a really long boathook” which can be used for placing looped docklines over pilings or cleats when there are no helpers ashore.

Prep the Crew

If there was one tip given by absolutely every short-handed couple, it was to talk everything through beforehand. “Plan ahead, and take your time,” says Lydia Biggie. “John and I will discuss the order of lines to be given to the dock help, because sometimes it varies.” Aboard Risky Business, Barry Allred also tells his wife which lines to set first, and she passes these directions to the dock helpers.

Both John Biggie and Barry Allred go a step further in their preparations: “I talk to the dockmaster by VHF beforehand,” says Allred, “to find out the exact slip location, the wind or current at that spot, and what’s around my slip. That way there are no surprises.” Lydia Biggie adds, “We find out at least half an hour beforehand what side of the dock we’ll be on, and if they are floating or stationary. That way I can estimate the height and position of the fenders.”

Just as important as crew preparation are crew communications. John Langan is succinct: “We use duplex two-way hands-free communications, and this is a marriagesaver!” Barry Allred also has several pairs of voice-activated Eartec headsets, adding a third unit so his daughter “could hear what was going on” when she was aboard. “These work fine, even in a breeze,” says Allred, noting that they allow two people to work without being in sight of each other.

Lowering and raising an anchor brings a host of new challenges but, again, modern technology and ingenuity simplify the task for short-handers. Barry Allred has anchor controls on his remote controller and, once plugged in at the bow, can direct the whole process as he watches.

Aboard SeeYa, the Biggies use hand signals to communicate from the bow to the pilothouse. “I look at him and signal and call ‘taking the pin out.’ This is the safety pin that prevents the anchor and chain from going down. Now John knows my hands are clear, and it’s okay to lower the anchor. We have one of those neat ‘chain counters’ so he can raise and lower the anchor from the wheel and know how many feet are out.”

The way the Langans aboard the Nordhavn 47 see it, “You can’t be too rich or too thin or have too many anchors. I use 400 feet of 7/16-inch chain and a 105-pound CQR. We set the CQR on the roller nearing the anchorage so that when we let the windlass out, it goes down by itself and my wife counts the 50-foot paint stripes to the required scope.” John adds, “All this I do from the pilothouse, since the windlass can be operated from there, the flybridge, or the bow.”

For raising the anchor, Lydia Biggie has painted three marks on the chain, but hers are near the anchor. “When I see these marks come out of the water, I take over raising the anchor. I can now do this slowly, make sure the anchor is free of sand, oriented properly and, finally, seated properly. Besides, by the time I take over the anchor, John needs to pay attention to steering the boat.”

When it comes to signaling, the Biggies keep it simple. “I point to where the anchor chain is, port or starboard, so John can use the bow thruster to line up the boat with the chain. I use a circular motion with my arm to indicate ‘keep the anchor coming up,’ and I put my hand up in a ‘stop’ motion to end pulling the anchor in.”

The biggest concern for most short-handers is a man overboard because, with just two people aboard, you only have half a crew to handle a serious crisis.

Most short-handers carry comfortable lifejackets in addition to the U.S. Coast Guard-required PFDs-either in the form of automatic inflatable life vests that don’t constrict movements, or as float coats to wear when weathering colder climates. But many short-handers also admitted that they don’t wear them often enough. “Unless the conditions are really bad,” said one, “we don’t put them on. I know we should, but we’re lazy.”

High bulwarks, double or even triple lifelines, and plenty of rails can create a false sense of security and we’d be remiss if we didn’t recommend that everyone on deck wear a life vest at all times.

Even in the best case scenario, when the MOB is wearing a flotation device, the situation is very dangerous because only one person is left to maneuver the yacht, spot the person in the water, and retrieve the crew. There are a multitude of devices designed to help locate and retrieve a crew member, large or small, from the water, and each has its pros and cons. Some require installations on the yacht, and all should be tested in practice situations with a full crew aboard in calm water. A dark night with your spouse in the water is no time to start reading the instructions.

The most popular MOB device for powerboats is the Lifesling, which comes in several variations but is basically a horseshoe- shaped collar that is thrown to the victim or towed behind the yacht so it can be reached without swimming for it.

It provides buoyancy as well as a secure attachment to the yacht and, when combined with lifting tackle on board, allows a smaller person to hoist a heavy and watersoaked victim on board.

Several short-handers that were interviewed have a basic rule: No one ever goes on deck without being watched. And one added that, when voyaging, they always bring the yacht to a complete stop before a crew member goes on deck.

Barry Allred uses a video camera that covers all the action on the afterdeck. “With that, one of us can be in the pilothouse and still keep an eye on the other if we’re rigging lines or fenders.”

Short-handed cruising a largish yacht may seem intimidating or even scary at first but, with a well-chosen yacht and the right equipment and practice, it can be a grand adventure.

“I wasn’t sure the two of us could do it,” says Barry Allred. “I was wrong…it’s great!”

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Largest Boat You Can Operate Yourself: Discovering the Size Limitations for Solo Boat Operators

Do you dream of cruising the open waters in a vessel that’s big enough to accommodate your family and friends but small enough to operate on your own? If so, you’re in luck! In this article, we’ll explore the largest boat you can operate yourself and give you some tips on how to make the most of your boating adventure.

Generally, a boat up to 40-50 feet long can be operated solo. However, this depends on the operator’s skill, experience, and the boat’s setup, including automation and technology. Some experienced sailors may handle larger vessels, but safety and manageability become increasing concerns.

Whether you’re a seasoned boater or a novice, we’ll help you find the perfect vessel to suit your needs and make your next boating trip one to remember. So sit back, relax, and let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

The Basics: Understanding Boat Sizes and Types

Before venturing into solo boat operations, it’s crucial to understand the various types of boats and their sizes. Not all boats are created equal, and the size and type of the boat play significant roles in determining its operational complexity. Whether it’s a motorboat, sailboat, or yacht, each vessel class brings its unique challenges and perks.

• Motorboats: Typically smaller in size and ranging between 10 to 40 feet, motorboats are usually easier to handle. However, larger motor yachts can extend up to 100 feet or more and may require more experience and skill.
• Sailboats: Sailboats demand a certain skill level, as you’ll need to understand wind directions, rigging, and sailing techniques. They vary widely in size, from small dinghies to large cruising yachts.
• Yachts: The term “yacht” often refers to a more luxurious boat, typically longer than 40 feet. Operating a yacht often involves managing advanced onboard systems and requires more comprehensive knowledge and experience.
• Trawlers: Trawlers are typically used for long-distance, leisurely cruising. They range in size, but handling larger trawlers often demands more than one person unless they are set up specifically for solo operations.
• Multihull Boats (Catamarans and Trimarans): These boats offer stability and space. They can range from small and manageable sizes to large, complex vessels requiring experience and knowledge.

Operating Factors: Boat Handling and Complexity

Navigating the vast expanse of water bodies is not merely about turning the steering wheel. It entails a detailed understanding of the boat’s systems, the ability to read weather patterns, and the skill to react swiftly to unexpected situations. 

The size and type of the boat will influence the complexity of these tasks. Larger boats, for instance, often have intricate onboard systems and are more challenging to maneuver. They also require higher maintenance, which can become a demanding task for solo operators. 

Hence, when contemplating operating a boat alone, assessing your ability to handle the boat’s complexity and not just its size is essential. The boat’s handling characteristics are also a crucial factor. Smaller boats can respond quickly to steering inputs, while larger ones require foresight and planning as they don’t change their course or speed as rapidly. 

Maneuvering a large boat in a crowded marina or tight waterways requires a certain skill and experience, as does dealing with the higher inertia and the impact of wind and currents. Some boats, especially modern ones, might have systems to assist with docking and maneuvering. However, relying solely on these systems without understanding boat handling principles can lead to problems. 

Your level of comfort with the boat’s handling and complexity should be a primary determinant of the largest boat you can operate alone.

Mastering the Elements: Weather and Sea Conditions

Boating on open water is a theater of nature’s might, where weather and surface conditions play pivotal roles in your solo boating experience. Mastering these elements involves understanding and predicting weather patterns, deciphering the sea’s behavior, and maneuvering your boat under various conditions. A larger boat might offer more stability in rough seas but could also pose greater challenges in terms of handling and maneuverability.

• Understanding Weather Patterns: A sound knowledge of meteorology helps predict weather conditions, understand wind directions, and identify warning signs of a storm. Weather can drastically affect your boat’s handling, and it is vital for solo operators to know how to adapt.
• Sea Conditions: These can vary greatly from calm, flat water to rough, turbulent waves. Larger boats may handle heavy seas better than smaller ones, but they also require more skill and strength to control.
• Seasonal Changes: Seasons can dramatically affect sea and weather conditions. Understanding how different times of the year can change the boating environment is crucial, especially for long-term solo voyages.
• Tides and Currents: Understanding tides and currents is essential for navigating safely and efficiently. These can impact the speed and course of your boat, especially in coastal areas.
• Night Time Operations: Operating a boat solo at night or in foggy conditions demands extra caution. Visibility is reduced, and navigation can become challenging, especially in unfamiliar waters.

Leveraging Technology: Automation and Modern Boat Features

As we sail into the future, technological advancements redefine the limitations and possibilities for solo boat operators. With developments in automation and an array of modern boat features, handling a larger vessel alone is becoming more feasible. 

These innovations enhance safety and efficiency and provide a platform that extends the operator’s capabilities, enabling them to navigate larger boats and face challenging sea conditions with greater confidence.

Automation systems have revolutionized the boating experience. From autopilots that maintain a set course to advanced systems capable of making minor adjustments based on wind and sea conditions, automation reduces the manual effort required, making longer journeys more manageable for solo operators. 

Coupled with digital navigation aids such as GPS and radar, which provide valuable information regarding location, obstacles, and weather conditions, boating has become safer and more precise. However, while technology greatly aids in managing a large vessel, it’s crucial to remember that it complements, not replaces, the essential skills of seamanship. 

Balancing technological reliance and traditional navigational skills ensures an optimal solo boating experience.

Experience and Training: How Skill Influences Boat Size

When determining the largest boat you can operate solo, your skill level and experience are among the most significant considerations. Mastering the art of boating is not an overnight process; it’s a progressive journey that involves learning the fundamentals, developing operational skills, and gaining real-world experience. 

Each additional foot of boat length generally means increased handling, navigation, and maintenance complexity. From docking maneuvers in crowded marinas to making critical decisions under challenging sea conditions, the level of experience required escalates with the size of the boat. 

Training programs and certifications offer structured learning paths, but nothing replaces the wisdom gained from hours spent on the water, facing diverse situations. As such, your capacity to handle a large boat solo is as much a testament to your skills and experience as it indicates the boat’s physical dimensions.

Safety Considerations: Ensuring a Secure Voyage

The allure of operating a large boat solo should never overshadow the paramount importance of safety. A secure voyage is well-prepared and respects the fundamental safety guidelines. Larger boats are generally more stable and safer in rough water but also present unique challenges that demand heightened awareness and precautions.

Preparation is the cornerstone of safety. This includes ensuring your boat is well-maintained and equipped with safety gear like life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers, and a first-aid kit. For larger boats, you may also need to consider additional equipment like life rafts and EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons).

Communication is vital, especially when you’re the only person aboard. Modern communication devices, including VHF radios and satellite phones, can help maintain contact with the outside world and call for help if needed.

Understanding and respecting weather and sea conditions is critical. Larger boats can handle heavier seas, but adverse weather poses significant risks. Regularly checking weather forecasts and understanding how to interpret them is crucial.

Even with all the preparations, unexpected situations can arise. The ability to stay calm, think clearly, and act decisively is often the key to navigating these challenges. Proper training and real-world experience greatly enhance your ability to handle emergencies and make safe decisions.

Lastly, a fundamental aspect of solo boating safety is self-care. Operating a large boat alone can be physically and mentally demanding, and neglecting your well-being can lead to fatigue, impairing your ability to operate the boat safely.

Bryan is a Las Vegas resident who loves spending his free time out on the water. Boating on Lake Mohave or Lake Havasu is his favorite way to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. More about Bryan.

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What Sailboats Can Be Sailed By One Person? (Complete List)

We all love sailing together with friends and family, but sometimes we can’t get them to come out with us. When that happens we must sail solo. Sailing solo can be hard sometimes but if it’s just a day sail in nice weather you shouldn’t have a problem.

There are a lot of options when it comes to picking a boat for one person. More than likely, you can sail the boat you have by yourself, but if you are considering buying one and want to be able to sail it yourself, then this article will help you find one.

1. Catalina 22

I believe this is one of the best boats for first-time sailors sailing solo. Yes, this is what I started on and a lot of people do. I have had dozens of people come up to me when I was with my boat and they would tell me all about their first boat which was a Catalina 22.

They are great starter boats and very easy to handle. They may not be big enough for crossing the Atlantic, but any bay or lake sailing and they will do just fine.

The Catalina 22 comes with a swing keel, which allows you to enter those shallower waters. This makes it very convenient for lake sailing and running it up onshore. It has a draft of 5ft with the keel down and a displacement of 2,250 lbs. Another unique feature of this boat is the pop-top. Being able to pop the cabin top up a few feet increases the headroom down below. It’s a great little feature that just adds to the fun of this boat.

If you’re looking for your first boat and want to sail solo, then this is the best option in my opinion.

2. 30′ Hunter Cherubini

The 30-foot hunter is a very common sight around the docks. It is a very solid boat and easy to handle. The hull is extremely solid when well kept and great for the open ocean. I have sailed on one of these in the Gulf of Mexico and it did very well.

The last year of production was 1983, but there are still plenty of them out there. That’s because they are very well built. It has a max draft of 5.25 ft and a displacement of 9,700 lbs. It’s a heavy boat which makes it good for open oceans.

I have seen these for sale under 10K making it a great option for purchase. Depending on if you have the money of course.

3. Catalina 250

This is one of my favorite Catalina models. I love how the cockpit has extra room and the cabin still has plenty of room. It is only 25 ft long making it a great size for solo sails. If you are looking for a good weekend boat, I definitely recommend this one.

Its LOA (length overall) is 25 ft even. The draft is 5 ft with a wing keel. (click here for information on keel types) Displacement for this vessel is only 4,200 lbs. This boat will require an outboard motor for getting in and out of the docks. If you need one click here.

4. Hobie 16

The Hobie 16 has to be mentioned in this list. It is a super common boat and it is seen all over the world. There are some people that race these professionally and others that use them recreationally. They are great for kids and adults alike. If you are ever at a resort you will usually see these on the beach for rent.

The Hobie 16 has a weight of only 320 lbs making it easy to flip over when needed. With the rudder in the up position, the draft is only 10 inches. It fits up to four people, but you might be able to fit a couple more.

This boat is all about fun! Don’t sail it across the Atlantic though.

5. Catalina 36 MK II

This boat is over the average of 30 feet but that doesn’t mean you can’t solo sail it. Like I said earlier it all depends on experience. The Catalina 36 MK II is another one of my favorites. I love the size and look of it.

If you want something just a bit bigger than the 30-footers, then I recommend this one.

The draft is 5.83 ft and the displacement is 13,500 lbs. It has two cabins giving you a guest room for overnight guests. This is definitely one of my favorite boats out there. It is just a perfect size, not too big and not too small.

Just remember it is 36 ft which can get more difficult. Once you practice with it enough, you should be able to sail solo when you want. If you plan to cross the Pacific in it, it is a good size for that, but having a couple of extra hands for the journey wouldn’t hurt.

6. Macgregor 25

The Macgregor 25 is an interesting boat. The first version was called the VENTURE 25. After a few changes to the design, it became the MACGREGOR 25. With more than 7000 boats sold, it’s one of the most popular models from this builder.

I looked at one of these for purchase once but did not go through with it. I ended up with a Catalina 22. That doesn’t mean this boat isn’t right for you though. It is a tiller steering setup if that is something you are considering. I started with a tiller and I think all people should.

The draft of this vessel is 5.67 ft. The displacement is 2,100 lbs. It is not the biggest boat out there but it is still a good choice if you are just starting out and want to do some solo sails.

7. Beneteau First 27

If you have the money, this is the one for you! This new model from Beneteau is most impressive. The speed of this boat will feel like you are in the middle of a race, or more like leading the race. It is designed for speed and comfort, with sleeping up to six adults. It is also designed where a single person can sail it as well.

This boat has a displacement of 3,747 lbs and the draft is 5 feet and 7 inches. The keel is a T-bulb design, making it very unique. We all know the Beneteau brand for being luxury on the water and this one delivers in a minimalist way. Check out the video below to get a real feel of this amazing sailboat.

8. Hunter 33 Cherubini

Another Hunter sailboat for the list. This is just a little bigger than the 30-foot Hunter mentioned earlier. It is very similar and still designed by Mr. John Cherubini. The draft is 5.25 ft and has a displacement of 10,600 lbs.

The design was originally marketed by the manufacturer as the Hunter 33 but is often confused with the 2004 Hunter 33-2004, which was also sold as the Hunter 33, and the 2012 Hunter E33, which is in production as the Marlow-Hunter 33.

Hunters are always a very solid choice.

9. Laser Sailboat

The Laser is a class of single-handed, one-design sailing dinghies using a common hull design with three interchangeable rigs of different sail areas, appropriate to a given combination of wind strength and crew weight. Bruce Kirby designed the Laser in 1970 with an emphasis on simplicity and performance.

These are great boats for racing around the lake. They are very popular for racing, but can also be used for recreational sailing. Sunfish are a type of dinghy sailor very similar to lasers but are usually built for recreational only use.

10. O’Day 25

O’Day is another one of my favorites. I love their classic look and feel. This is a very popular model from the O’Day company.

The boat was built by O’Day Corp. in the United States, with 2,898 completed between 1975 and 1984, when production ended. It was one of the company’s most successful designs

The O’Day 25 is a small recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig, a transom-hung rudder, and a fixed fin keel or centerboard. It displaces 4,007 lbs and has a draft of 4.25 ft.

What Size Sailboat Can One Person Handle? Depends on Experience

The average size boat that most people sail solo is a 30-footer. It is very common to see people sailing by themselves or with others on this size of boat. The size is easy enough to maneuver by yourself and the sails are easy to manage when you are all alone.

This does depend on experience though. If you have never sailed before then a 30-foot boat may be too much to handle. There are a lot of things that can go wrong when sailing and not knowing how to handle them will put you in harm’s way.

There is no specific timeline that will tell you when you are ready to captain a 45-foot sailboat. It comes down to confidence. Are you comfortable sailing a 45-foot vessel by yourself? If you answered yes, then you are probably good to go, unless you are just overconfident.

Sailing certifications will usually certify you to captain a boat up to a certain length. All though you are certified you may not have the confidence still. Being confident is a huge factor. When problems come up, confidence will allow you to stay calm and resolve the issue. Don’t think you can handle anything the sea throws at you just because you have a certification.

Check out this article on sailing certifications to find out more!

Factors To Consider When Sailing Solo – General Guidance

When you are considering a boat for solo sails there are a few thoughts to keep in mind.

First, how big of a boat do you want? The bigger the boat gets the harder it is to handle by yourself. Do you want this to be a sailing solo-only boat or do you want the option to have people with you when you sail? Consider safety on the boat. If you are going to be sailing by yourself you need to make sure you have the best safety gear.

What sails are needed? The self-tacking jib may be something you want to look into. A furling jib is a minimum in my opinion. Supplies are a general category to consider. Supplies will mean spare parts in case something breaks, food and water for the trip, and anything else you might need.

Gear For Sailing Solo – Multiple Items

When it comes to sailing solo, there is some gear you may need. Check out the list below for recommendations on gear for solo sailing.

• Autopilot – When sailing out in the open ocean, the autopilot will be necessary if you ever want to sleep. It is very nice to turn it on while you take a nap or go fix something on the boat.
• Windvane – Windvanes are also great for steering when you are busy. They use wind and cabling to steer the boat. They are a great thing to have in case the autopilot goes out. Plus, if the wind vane breaks for some reason, you might have a better chance of fixing it compared to an autopilot.
• Safety Tether – These are essential for solo sailing in the open ocean. When the water gets rough, make sure you are attached to the boat so you don’t fall off. Never go on deck in rough conditions without a tether.
• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) – This is also an essential item when sailing around the world. One thing to make sure of is easy access. If you are in trouble you don’t want to be digging under the v-berth looking for this. Put it somewhere close to the cockpit.
• Supplies – This covers all items you may need from spare parts to canned foods. Remember to plan accordingly. Not planning is planning to fail.

These are just some of the essential items needed for multiple-day sails in the open ocean. Always plan and think about what is needed.

In Conclusion

This article discussed the different types of boats that one person can sail. My personal recommendation if you are just starting out is the Catalina 22. It was my first boat and I loved it. If you need something bigger the Catalina 250 is a great weekend boat.

If you are an average sailor look for something in the 30-foot range. That is usually a safe length that won’t get you into trouble.

As always make sure you have the gear that will keep you safe out there!

Boatlifehq owner and author/editor of this article.

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Best Single-Handed Bluewater Sailboats

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

December 28, 2023

Sailing alone in racing or time on the water is a great experience. Finding the best single-handed blue water sailboat for those needs can be a tough task.

Regardless if you have a cruiser or racing sailboat, a single-handed one can offer many opportunities versus larger boats. So what are some of the best ones on the market?

The Hunter Channel 31, J/109, and West Wight Potter 19 are great budget-friendly, single-handed sailboats. Moving up in price, you can look at Hanse 371, Jeanneau Sunfast 3200, and even a Dehler 29. Depending on the size and the amount of features it has will determine what they are worth.

While the budget will play a role in finding the right single-handed boat for you, there are plenty of other factors to consider. These range between comfort, stability, and useful features.

According to experts in sailing, most prefer comfort over price as long as it is justifiable with the amount you are paying. As long as it is not too far over your budget, you could consider a slightly higher-priced boat if it has a few more bells and whistles to make your life easier.

Table of contents

‍ 12 Single-Handed Sailboats to Consider

Whether you are planning to cruise around or going out for the day sailing, there are a handful of sailboats to consider. You want to choose one that is best operated alone and would not need additional hands to make it work.

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For a fun day out at sea, it is hard to pass up on a quality dinghy . This one, in comparison to other dinghies, is fairly light and takes hardly any time to set up.

The RS Aero is one of the more technologically advanced dinghies for one individual to use. This one in particular has amassed a handful of awards for the best performance overall.

Due to its popularity and quality, these range between $10,000 to $15,000. If you find it any cheaper than that, it could be worth the investment.

2. Beneteau Oceanis 62

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If you are feeling a bit adventurous or feel confident in your ability to handle a large boat by yourself, then try out the Beneteau Oceanis 62 . This boat is slightly over 60 feet, so it is recommended that you have all your ducks in a row before setting sail.

Thankfully, the boat was designed with ease of use in mind. So this could easily be operated by one person if they have some experience with it.

If you purchased this one for the family, then you can still have the added benefits of taking people with you. But if you decide you want to be by yourself, that is an option too.

This boat is valued around $600,000, so it is arguably one of the more expensive options for just a single handed sailboat. But if you are looking for a family boat, you are killing two birds with one stone.

3. Hunter Channel 31

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This British made sailboat debuted in 2001 with a twin keel, making it a great choice for solo sailing. While it has a rich history in racing, the design has gone through slight adjustments over the years to make it a solid cruiser.

With its incredible handling and quick turns, this sailboat has excellent handling. The hull structure allows it to have a low center of gravity and provide it with increased stability compared to other racing boats.

The deck layout, in combination of the self-tacking jib and tiller steering, allow this boat to be one of the best on the market if you can find it.

You can usually sail these fractionally rigged and reef with ease from the cockpit. For around $35,000, you are getting a great deal on a boat that has everything you need.

{{boat-info="/boats/j-boats-j109"}}

If you are not quite ready to venture out alone or want the availability to take people out with you, then the J/109 is a great sailboat to look into. These were first built in 2004, so you should be able to still find them today.

If you decide that you want to take it out by yourself, you could look into going offshore and into areas where other boats have difficulty reaching. You might be able to get it to plane on open water, but it is a little heavy.

With its asymmetric spinnaker, you should be able to jib from the cockpit with light wind. Even in heavier winds, this boat offers great stability.

Due to its high standards of construction and long term stability, these boats are still valued around $60,000. If you can find one a little less for that, it could be a steal.

5. West Wight Potter 19

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This boat design has been around since 1979, which prioritized safety and handling. Those factors alone make it a quality solo handling boat.

This sailboat has grown on many over the last three decades. People have probably overlooked it due to its name, but you should definitely check it out if you find one.

The slight design changes over the years have turned this into a tough little boat. It has a Bermuda rigged sloop and can handle various conditions.

With its lifting keel, it allows it to navigate shallow waters. This boat might be one of the more versatile options out there if you plan on sailing in shoal drafts.

For the price, it is hard to beat something less than $10,000. If you are wanting a newer version with upgraded features, you could be spending around $25,000.

6. Hanse 371

{{boat-info="/boats/hanse-371"}}

For a mid-sized cruiser, it will be hard to pass up a Hanse 371 if you come across it. This boat design is geared towards single handed sailing, with a perfect mix of older and newer technology.

It has a furlong and self-tacking jib, along with an autopilot feature making it easy to use for one person. For a boat that was built around 2000, it was well ahead of its time.

Even though the boat is a bit larger than some others for solo sailing, you will have plenty of space to move around. With the large galley and quite a bit of cabin room, you will feel like you are in a mansion.

The look and handle of this boat is favored by many, which is why it still holds its value. You can potentially find ones for sale around $60,000.

7. Jeanneau Sunfast 3200

{{boat-info="/boats/jeanneau-sun-fast-3200"}}

From the first glance at this boat, you can see that it has a traditional look compared to other sailboats. Since it is smaller and lighter, it makes it easy to handle through many conditions.

The boat was originally designed to be a racer, so you have stability and strength in addition to speed. These were built around 2008, but still offer some of the best technology you will find today.

For space, you will have plenty of room just for yourself. There are two double cabins, galley, and a head compartment.

This fractional sloop, along with the keel, can provide easy sailing in either direction of the wind. You can comfortably have the mast around 60 percent to reach a comfortable speed.

This boat is still modern, so you will see these a little bit more often than some others. You will likely find them for about $160,000 but you get all of the latest technology and a boat that is built to last.

8. Tartan 3700

{{boat-info="/boats/tartan-3700"}}

The Tartan 3700 is another quality boat that you can live on and comfortably cross the sea with. Thanks to the self-tacking jib, it allows the boat to be used easily by one person.

This boat was originally designed in the 1970’s, but still has value today. It has been proven to be a great boat to cover long distances and with multiple people on board.

Even though this one might be a little bit older in comparison to other single handed boats, the price still ranges close to $150,000. Rest assured, there is still quality and reliability with this sailboat.

9. Dehler 29

While this boat is not as popular in America, the Dehler 29 is a popular German sailboat. This boat is starting to become popular as more sailors look for single handed boats.

In 1998, this boat earned the honors for boat of the year and sailing boat of the year in the Cruising World Magazine. Since then, it still performs with quality since day one.

Since it is equipped with a tiller, you can steer this boat with ease. This offers one of the best opportunities to steer a boat without having to have an extra set of hands.

For the price, you can still find these on the market for slightly under $60,000. This is what you will pay for top quality German sailboats.

10. Rhodes 19

{{boat-info="/boats/oday-rhodes-19"}}

The Rhodes 19 is another classic style sailboat that many will gravitate to when they see it. Not only is it perfect for solo sailing, but you can have a few people on board if you enjoy family time.

The hull design is meant to be forgiving on the water, allowing it to easily handle heavier conditions. Since day one, this boat’s design has stood the test of time whether you are experienced or a newbie when it comes to sailing.

You can sprit rig this boat or simply use a Bermuda rig to help push you along with the wind. Since it has a low center of gravity, you do not have to worry about stability with this one.

Depending on your location, you can still find these for about $20,000. Assuming it is in good condition, you might find them slightly higher priced.

11. Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20

{{boat-info="/boats/pacific-seacraft-flicka-20"}}

This boat has a strong history of solo sailing , simply because having more than one or two people would be uncomfortable. These were very common around the 1980’s and there were roughly 400 of these built. If you can find one that was built in the late 90’s, that would be your best bet.

The reason this boat deserves some attention is that you can potentially find it for a great price and live on it. This boat is also towable, making it easy to take with you no matter where you go. For just under $20,000, you can find plenty in good condition.

{{boat-info="/boats/vanguard-laser"}}

The Laser is a specific boat that you have probably seen in the Olympics. This small boat is simple and ready to go exploring for solo sailing.

This is arguably one of the most popular single handed boats out there. If you want the simplest option for sailing by yourself, look no further than a Laser.

This boat can use various rig types, so whichever method you prefer. Most use cat rigging since there is no headsail and just one mainsail. It also helps that this boat is easy to set up, making it desirable for solo handlers.

For the price point, you cannot beat $7,000 compared to other single handed boats. Due to its popularity and quality, you might have to pay a little more.

Why You Should Solo Sail

Solo sailing is an experience like no other and even replicates similar adrenaline rushes in other sports. If you are not seeking the thrill, there are boats drained to take it a little bit slower on the water.

Regardless of your skill level, you should consider the experience at least once in your life. The beautiful thing about this is, it does not have to be the perfect boat to get it done.

There are even plenty of sailors that have sailed on much larger boats or ones that were designed for more people. It all depends on the adventure you are trying to seek, but there is clearly not another like it when sailing on your own.

Features to Look for in Single-Handed Boats

When solo sailing, there are plenty of features that can separate one boat from another. These can make a big difference in how your adventure goes for the day.

The conditions at sea are often unavoidable and something that everyone has to deal with. Whether you are solo saling or with a crew, everyone has to be aware of tough conditions.

If you sail alone, you are required to do everything in order to make it back safely. Having something with an automation system will be huge for solo sailors.

If you have a quality boat, the next best thing would be automation systems on board to help your life sailing much easier. Some of these systems include autopilot, electric windlass, roller furling, and even a radar.

Other sailors might want lines that run to the aft, a wind vane, or a hydraulic system for the bow or stern. Basically anything that you can do with a click of a button to reduce manual labor.

While this is an obvious option, you do not want to forget about stability. No matter how fast the boat is or how many cool features it has, those will be useless if you have issues with handling.

You want a boat that has wide beams and shorter waterlines. While this limits some speed, that is a much better trade off than having nothing at all.

Easy to Use

When picking out your single handed sailboat, you want one that is easy to use. If there are too many features that are required to get it going, you either need more experience or that boat is not right for you.

Try finding one that only requires a few steps in comparison to other ones. You might have to pick one that is a bit smaller in order to get used to it all, which is all you really need since your are by yourself.

Many sailors will have their preferred sails when going out on the water. A unique sail design that you could look for is the Bermuda sail with a gaff sail.

This allows you to have more sail area on a shorter mast. It also allows you to have better control and less heeling force that is common for longer sails.

It does make sense to choose the one that is right for your boat and what is most comfortable to you. After you find the right boat for you, you should strongly consider the sails it has.

Rigging Type

When it comes to solo sailing, the gaff rig is one of the best rig types. Even though the Bermuda is the most common, you lose some windward capabilities since it is lower.

The gaff rig makes the most sense because it is easier to use and has the best downwind performance. Each sailor will have their preferred rig type, but in solo sailing, the gaff stands out the best.

Price Point Makes a Difference

You do not have to break the bank when deciding what boat is best for solo sailing. There are boats that can fit within any budget, and you just have to know what you are looking for.

Just because a boat is priced over $100,000, does not guarantee that it is the best on the market. Depending on the brand, how many features it has, and how big the boat is will determine the price.

Some of the best single handed sailboats are priced less than $20,000. It all depends on the type of adventure you are seeking and how much money you are willing to spend.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Boat of the Week: Inside the 7-Year Quest to Build ‘Dream Symphony,’ the World’s Largest Sailboat

Dream symphony may be the most amazing boat we'll never see. years after its owner dropped the project, it sits idle in a turkish shipyard., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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Size matters: If Dream Symphony is ever completed, it would dwarf the 289-foot Maltese Falcon, currently the world’s fourth-largest sailing yacht.

When Dream Symphony was first announced in 2014, the yachting world was all aflutter. At 462 feet in length, it promised to be not only the largest yacht produced in Turkey, but the largest sailing yacht ever built (except for the sail-assisted motoryacht Sailing Yacht A, which is technically more motorsailer than sailboat).

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Even more incredible is that Dream Symphony was to be constructed entirely out of wood. The use of epoxy laminated iroko (African teak) forms an integral part of boatbuilder Dream Ship Victory’s vision to successfully bring laminated wood into modern shipbuilding. The yard has a successful track record. In 2013, it delivered the 212-foot Mikhail S. Vorontsov , built entirely out of laminated mahogany.

At more than double the length, Dream Symphony is a much larger technical challenge. Of course, the biggest challenge since its announcement seven years ago has been finding an owner—or rather a second owner. After the initial brouhaha about the world’s largest sailboat, Dream Symphony went dark.

The sleek, minimalist hull works well with the yacht’s 462-foot length.  Courtesy Ken Freivokh

“The original owner pulled out when the Ukrainian crisis came about,” Dream Symphony ’s designer Ken Freivokh told Robb Report . “The project went on up to a point, a bit slower, but now we’re looking for a new owner.”

Actually, the project has been stalled. Freivokh shared images of a partially built hull inside the shipyard, and he says it has since progressed, but not to the point where it’s anything resembling his majestic renderings. While gigayachts in the motoryacht segment are being ordered and delivered with regularity, the world’s-largest sailing yacht will require a very special owner.

When—or if —the yacht is completed, it will be worth the wait. Dream Symphony reunites the same A-team that conceived the iconic sailing superyachts, the 350-foot Black Pearl and 289-foot Maltese Falcon . The hull design and engineering were completed by Dykstra Naval Architects, while Freivokh was responsible for the interior and exterior.

“Building the largest sailing yacht is what the shipyard owner has always wanted to achieve,” says Freivokh. The shipyard’s preference for wood is based on the material’s renewable and recyclable properties. But the yard’s principals take it a step farther by asserting that wood produces a vessel of “equal or even greater strength” than steel and aluminum.

An early image of Dream Symphony under construction. The build has progressed, but is still waiting for an owner to see it to completion.  Courtesy Ken Freivokh

It has not been smooth sailing, though. When Dream Ship Victory approached RINA to certify construction, the Italian marine agency balked. It had never certified any wooden vessel over 98.4-feet in length. There followed an exacting process managed by Dykstra Naval Architects, involving composite experts Gurit, and exhaustive testing by laboratories at the Delft University of Technology in Holland and Italy’s University of Messina. The results satisfied RINA to certify construction and the build began.

“It’s almost the equivalent of a huge composite build,” said Freivokh. “The epoxy lamination is quite a complex system, but it preserves the wood, which means it should last a long time and behave very predictably.”

The original owner called for elegant use of wood across the interior. “The idea was to express the beauty of wood, so the owner was keen to have a fairly classic interior, and even the exterior is a modern interpretation of a classic,” says Freivokh. “At one point, we considered a contemporary style like Black Pearl , but the owner resisted that in favor of something more traditional, so it stands as a four-masted schooner.”

The four masts tower 229.7 feet above the water, carrying furling staysails on Hoyt booms with a total sail area 54,680 square feet. If built, the boat will also have a diesel-electric propulsion system for a maximum range under power of 5,900 nautical miles. A two-deck atrium with a spiral staircase is twinned with an owner’s duplex apartment spread across two decks. The “convertible conservatory” links the owner’s living quarters with the main lobby via an glass winter garden that opens to the elements. More glass features in the double-height glass swimming pool on the aft deck, with a bottom that rises to serve as a dance floor or helipad. Like motoryachts its size, Dream Symphony was designed with a spa, treatment rooms and gym.

The interior is designed to be classic, rather than contemporary, using mahogany throughout.  Courtesy Ken Freivokh

Freivokh is now working on two other wooden superyachts currently in build at Dream Ship Victory, and is finalizing a 243-foot yacht for Turquoise, another Turkish yard. “Owners who want to build in wood still remain in the minority, but it’s highly personal and some just love the passion of associated with beautiful old classics,” says the designer.

Perhaps. But the new owner has to be willing to take on a much larger technical challenge to claim the title of world’s largest sailboat.

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• Ken Freivokh

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David.L Guest

I am looking to see if one person can live on a yacht and lock through locks and go to sea or do you need one more person I am about to buy a yacht and am new to yacht so if you have any info that would help let me know thanks David.L

AMG YF Moderator

Hi David, this is a frequent question. Use the search function to find some threads, like this: http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/general-yachting-discussion/14696-how-much-does-size-matter.html Many more are found here: http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/frequently-asked-yacht-questions-290/

Pascal Senior Member

48 to 100' wow, wide range, huge difference... With no experience? Not a chance even under 50' No insurer will cover you anyway... Single handling has been discussed many times here, use the search function. In short some folks feel that taking a boat out alone is taking too much risk others are comfortable with it. Two important things... It depends on the boat layout (some can be easily single handed others not) and where you re going. Long passages off shore are out of the question since you need to sleep... Weather can make things risky... Locks can be a real challenge since you need to adjust the lines

NYCAP123 Senior Member

You can also forget locking through single-handed on anything bigger than Great Bridge (3' drop). If you can afford a 100 footer, buy a 50 footer and put the rest of the money toward crew salary since, as Pascal pointed out, your insurance company will require you to hire a captain anyway. And look up those other threads on single-handing.

paulgd New Member

Why not go to 112ft with Dashews new yacht designed to be run by a couple; and therefore should be suitable for singlehanded use. But you have a long learning curve to be able to achieve your dream; but if you don`t try you`ll never succeed. New boats are being designed especially for couples that are even longer than this, and gives owners freedom from employing a crew, (not always encouraged by professional Captains). Live your dream; you can only kill yourself afterall! Paul

paulgd said: Live your dream; you can only kill yourself afterall! Paul Click to expand...

I am wanting a hattars would that be a good boat and I ment to look at the forms I will do that so I will be locking thourgh arkansas river

yachtbrokerguy Guest

I suggest you find a local class in seamanship and safety on the water. These courses are often given at a very low cost by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxillary, or by the U.S. Power Squadron. You will meet other beginning boaters and learn a lot to help you decide what boats will fit your needs. As others have said here it is diffcult to get insurance for a boat if you have limited experience, and having taken one of these courses will help with insurance. You can find information about local classes on the BoatUS web site.

Kafue Senior Member

NYCAP123 said: You can also forget locking through single-handed on anything bigger than Great Bridge (3' drop). If you can afford a 100 footer, buy a 50 footer and put the rest of the money toward crew salary since, as Pascal pointed out, your insurance company will require you to hire a captain anyway. And look up those other threads on single-handing. Click to expand...

David.L said: I am wanting a hattars would that be a good boat and I ment to look at the forms I will do that so I will be locking thourgh arkansas river Click to expand...

Arendie New Member

5 boats deep, one end to the other? ie, side by side?

leek New Member

NYCAP123 said: When locking through you need to hold both the bow & stern against the wall as well as stop forward or reverse movement as a lot of water moves in and out of the locks. An experienced captain can manage this solo in smaller locks. but when the drop is 10, 20 or more feet even the most experienced needs someone at the other end of the boat. If you lose control of either end you're likely to make some enemies and maybe the news. I suggest you go to those locks on a holiday weekend and watch the action. I once had a fine lady dancing on my boat at the Shinnicock locks (only a 3' drop) on a July 4th weekend. The locks were 5 boats deep one end to the other. When the locks opened it looked like a giant game of pick-up-sticks and more than one husband was getting smacked by his wife. Click to expand...

Arendie said: 5 boats deep, one end to the other? ie, side by side? Click to expand...

I was 100% confused by that at first. Read the post above about floating cleats. Now I'm at least as clear as muddy water. I'll stick to the marina and beyond for now.

Arendie said: I was 100% confused by that at first. Read the post above about floating cleats. Now I'm at least as clear as muddy water. I'll stick to the marina and beyond for now. Click to expand...

captainwjm Senior member

Arkansas River Lockage on the Arkansas should be no problem for an experienced single-hander as the locks all have floating mooring bitts; thus the need for only one line at the midships. Most inland locks are so equiped. However, leaving the Arkansas puts you in the lower Mississippi which is not a river for recreational boaters - even experienced ones. There are few spots for fuel and reprovisioning, and the commerical traffic is heavy 24/7. And, the river itself is turbulent and unpredicatable. Be very wary of the mighty Miss!

hatteras? are hatteras good boats for rivers I am planning on buying one this summer

am I serious yes I am so serious I once piloted one 120 foot boat for a mile when I was a kid I agree that I need to charter a boat to see if I like it what do I need to look for when buying a yacht like lets say I wanted to buy a yacht right now what would I need to do

Ever heard of google?

I have heard of google which I use it but i am so confused thats why I googled yacht forums

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Israel-Gaza latest: Israeli fighter jet hits West Bank in deadly strike; aid pier off Gaza coast 'not enough'

An Israeli fighter jet has struck the West Bank. Palestinian authorities say at least one person has been killed. Meanwhile, the bodies of three hostages have been recovered.

Tuesday 21 May 2024 06:31, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• Israel says its fighter jet has hit West Bank
• IDF has 'seized bodies of three hostages from Gaza'
• They were murdered while celebrating life', IDF says | Netanyahu 'heartbroken' over deaths
• Alistair Bunkall: Discovery of bodies will reinforce Israeli belief that more hostages are in Rafah
• Israeli protesters attack truck in attempt to block aid reaching Gaza
• Spain bans ships carrying weapons for Israel from docking at its ports
• Scroll down for the latest on the Israel-Gaza war
• Listen to the Daily above and tap here  to follow wherever you get your podcasts

That's all for this evening, but if you're just catching up, here is a recap of the key developments.

• An Israeli fighter jet struck a refugee camp in the West Bank, killing at least one person and injuring eight;
• The bodies of three Israeli hostages were recovered from Gaza;
• An investigation was launched after a 450kg bomb fell from an Israeli fighter jet into an Israeli town;
• Spain banned ships carrying weapons for Israel from docking at its ports;
• Dozens of Israeli protesters in the West Bank attacked a truck in an apparent attempt to prevent aid from reaching Gaza, beating its driver and setting it on fire.

A group of US medical workers trapped at a hospital in Gaza have now left the territory, the White House says.

American doctors providing care in Gaza were unable to leave after Israel closed the Rafah border crossing.

Among them were 10 from the US-based Palestinian American Medical Association, who had intended to leave after a two-week mission at the European Hospital in Khan Younis.

Today, 17 American doctors and healthcare workers, out of a total of 20, left Gaza, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said.

"I can assure you that any of them that wanted to leave are out," Mr Kirby said. 

Three of the doctors chose not to depart Gaza, a source familiar with the situation said.

The Palestinian American Medical Association reported on Wednesday that its team of 19 healthcare professionals, including 10 Americans, had been denied exit from Gaza

Israel seized and closed the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on 7 May.

The number of people injured by an Israeli airstrike in the West Bank has risen to eight, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

They are in a stable condition and receiving treatment at hospitals, it said.

As we reported in our last post, at least one person has been killed by the attack on Jenin refugee camp.

Residents of the camp said a house was targeted.

Unlike Gaza, such a strike is a rarity in the West Bank, which is run by the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas.

The Israeli military says a fighter jet has carried out a strike in Jenin in the West Bank.

One person was killed and two injured, the Palestinian health ministry said.

While Palestinians live in both Gaza and the West Bank, the territories are controlled by distinct groups.

Hamas has ruled over Gaza since seizing control in 2007 following a brief civil war with the Palestinian Authority.

The West Bank, meanwhile, is still run by the Palestinian Authority, headed by president Mahmoud Abbas.

By Mark Stone , US correspondent

A three-year-old Palestinian girl with an ultra-rare genetic condition has been forced backwards in her quest to leave Gaza for life-saving treatment.

Julia Abu Zeiter, whose story is being followed by Sky News, was moved with her family from a tent in the southern city of Rafah and relocated to a supposedly safer zone to the north and further away from the border they had hoped to cross.

Speaking to Sky News, her mother Maha said: "We were going through the travel procedures to leave Gaza. When the time for us to travel through Rafah crossing got close, the Israelis occupied the crossing, and they told us they want to invade Rafah."

She added: "I was between two fires, not knowing where to go. Do I go try to travel to treat my daughter or do I flee to another place?"

Read on here...  

Israel has assured the US they are willing to continue discussions before making any major decisions on plans to assault Rafah, a US official has said.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said national security adviser Jake Sullivan will raise the issue on a visit to Israel to meet Benjamin Netanyahu.

Mr Sullivan will stress the need to go after Hamas in a targeted way, not with a full-scale assault on the southern city, Mr Kirby said.

He said it was important that the Rafah crossing was opened immediately.

The Israeli military seized control of the crossing between  Gaza and Egypt earlier this month.

Hamas says the US-built aid pier off Gaza's coast is no alternative to opening all land crossings under Palestinian supervision.

It added that they reject any military presence on Palestinian land.

Trucks carrying aid rolled across the pier today for the first time in an operation the US says will scale up to 150 truckloads a day.

But Gaza is already on the brink of famine, according to international aid organisations.

Aid groups also say land crossings are much more effective, and at least 500 trucks a day are required to meet the basic needs of the population.

Israeli restrictions on border crossings and heavy fighting have hindered the delivery of food and other supplies.

An investigation has been launched after a 450kg bomb fell from an Israeli fighter jet into an Israeli town this morning, according to reports.

Images showed the munition landed close to homes in Yated.

The Israeli military said it was intended for Rafah and described the incident as "unusual", reported the Times of Israel.

"Air Force technical teams arrived at the scene and began an in-depth investigation of the incident."

The Rafah strike was carried out moments later, the military said.

Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed at least five people including Lebanese militants, Hamas fighters and Syrian civilians, security sources told Reuters.

A series of strikes on a coastal town further north than the usual conflict area killed a Hezbollah member as well as two Syrian civilians, the security sources said.

They said a separate Israeli strike on Majdal Anjar, on Lebanon's eastern border with Syria, killed two Hamas fighters.

Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire across Lebanon's southern border for seven months in parallel with the Gaza war, but it has ramped up in recent days.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

The recovery of the bodies of three hostages from Gaza is a "painful reminder" of those who are still in captivity, says a member of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

Professor Hagai Levine said over the last day, rumours circulating about which bodies had been returned to Israel were "very painful for the families" of all the captives.

It was important to bring home the bodies of hostages to give their families closure, he said.

"We do not lose hope. We are preparing for the return of the hostages that are alive," he said.

"As long as we promote a solution to release the hostages, it will also help to prevent further bloodshed in Gaza."

Turning to the approach the Israeli government has taken, Mr Levine said the government "is not representing well the desires of the public".

"There is a majority in Israel that believe that we should now promote regional agreements and together with the moderate countries, not the extremists, we should kick out Hamas... and replace them with another kind of government.

"This could really bring peace and prosperity to the Palestinians and to Israelis and to the entire region and we feel that the government is not doing enough."

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