40 ft or 45ft :-)

[jbeam]

Just another what boat question, sorry, have the funds , can get the experience and back up , looking at safety and feasibility of the project , she will be a new build to spec.

What’s your thoughts "o wise ones ….."



Ovni 395 sail area 83.7 m , mail sail 35.2 m , Genoa 48.5 m , staysail sail 14m

Ovni 445 . Sail area 97 m , mail sail 43.5 m , Genoa 52.5 m , staysail 20 m

Solo , no power , blue water , round the world .


( no power ...........if it can brake it will )


How much more of a hand full is the extra 5 foot of sailboat , not taking cash and “id like” trade off , just pure practicality ……

Thanks a million for any help

[downunder]

With electric winches very little difference to handle.

[daddle]

Longer the better. Length brings speed and stability. Displacement is the enemy of the solo crew, speed, and (in most cases) stability.

[Boracay]

The extra length and weight makes picking up a mooring more difficult, docking and leaving docks much more so.

Don't ask how I know...

[noelex 77]

Either would be a fine choice. If you can afford the 445 it can be single handed without any problems.
Generally as has been said slightly larger is easier for one person offshore. It is often forgotten is that to maintain reasonable speed in a smaller boat the sail area has to just right. With a larger boat you leave in a reef and still have better speed than the smaller boat under full sail. The larger boat will generally stand up to full sail better anyway, so the net result is fewer sail changes. Make sure you have a good autopilot or wind system ( preferably with a second back up) with either boat.

The only area that the larger boat is harder solo is handling in a marina. I believe the Ovni's can be a bit difficult in this regard with a small retractable keel and rudder. So your skills will need to be good. Some are fitted with Bow thrusters, but that is another underwater system to maintain. The best solution is to anchor the views are always much nicer.

[jbeam]

Have to say , I’m a little surprised ………..thought the view would have bean the other way round , i.e bigger sails ….extra effort required for sail changes get’s old real quick ,
And with brown trousers moments , bigger sail adds to the snowball effect , making bad situation worse ……………

Thanks for the advice,

Bow thrusters seam to be the way to go , all thou only ones I’ve played with you can stand in ………

“The best solution is to anchor the views are always much nicer.” I agree less stress and piece and quite all round , more cash for the pub too………

[foolishsailor]

I would think it depends on your plans. Are you anticipating being a single hander predominantly? If so, why go bigger? Why the hassle? Why the added cost?

Ovni's are great boats, either of them.

[Chuteman]

IF marinas are your choice especially in Europe, the 445 will get hit hard. 12m seems to be the threshold, above that many marinas are very arbitrary on how they charge, often they pull in beam + jump you to 15+m threshold.

Onvi - very interesting boats, invited aboard (think it was a 365) for happy hour, like the look, lines, chine, arch, etc. Also seen a 495 up close - very impressive.
The owner of the 365 did mention handling astern was not a strong suit, he had a bow thruster. So did 495

I've vote for smaller and use extra $ for top of the line gear
Enjoy

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by jbeam

Solo , no power , blue water , round the world .

It is only up to the systems and layout.

Make sure your skills match the job at hand.

b.

[S/V Alchemy]

What's the crew, what's your age(s) and what's the itinerary?

I wanted a 45 footer because I'm still youngish (50 is young in cruiser terms) and for the reasons cited: stowage, stability, etc.

But my wife is five feet tall and my kid will be about the same when we leave in a couple of years. They cannot easily reach or work some winches, and my philosophy of sailing does not like electric winches very much.

So it was a full-keel 40 footer/12 m. The point about above 12 metres being considered worthy of higher fees, insurance and hassle is true. Nothing bleeding cash can't solve.

So ask yourself, from the "brown pants perspective", not what you like or can handle, but what can your weakest crew handle at 3 AM in a 45 knot gale after you've dislocated your shoulder falling down the companionway and are trying to shout instructions over the howling wind?

Then figure out whether your cruise is 200 NM overnighters around Europe or the Carib, or visits to the far end of Micronesia for some lagoon life and the need to make all your own electricity and water and to carry four months of food?

You may find that LOA is really a smaller part of that equation. Gear, tankage, range, spares and provisions, logically and safely packed away, are far more important. That's why crazy old guys sail Westsail 32s everywhere successfully.

That said, the OVNIs are very nice, go-anywhere boats, but I doubt a couple needs more than a 12 meter version. Both models are fast enough to run off at right angles to trouble.

[foolishsailor]

By the way what does the OP mean when he says "no power"? No engine or no electronic systems???

If no engine that defo changes some recommendations I would make, especially with a lifting centreboard boat, I have one as well....

[jbeam]

“Systems and layout, skills match the job at hand “ both in hand ………

“ By the way what does the OP mean when he says "no power"? No engine or no electronic systems???”



If it can break or go wrong it will , normally when you least need the head ach……especially when you add salt water , hence plan for the worse ………….and play easy


Hence phased no engine , no power . ( will have both on a shinny new toy )

Were not looking at one trip , it’s a long term 10 year , go anywhere . gig ….

Crew set up will be for single handed, crewed by up to 4-6 at times ………..reason
Sailing as a couple blue water, ones out of action your single handed.

“So ask yourself, from the "brown pants perspective", not what you like or can handle, but what can your weakest crew handle at 3 AM in a 45 knot gale after you've dislocated your shoulder falling down the companionway and are trying to shout instructions over the howling wind?”

Hence the question. From the guys that have “bean there done that “ hind signs a wonderfully thing .

Answer seam to be bigger is easier ……………….so far


Personally I’ve never sailed anything below 55 ft …………….with crew .

Interested in points of view ………..

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by jbeam

“Systems and layout, skills match the job at hand “ both in hand ………

“ By the way what does the OP mean when he says "no power"? No engine or no electronic systems???”

If it can break or go wrong it will , normally when you least need the head ach……especially when you add salt water , hence plan for the worse ………….and play easy

Hence phased no engine , no power . ( will have both on a shinny new toy )

Were not looking at one trip , it’s a long term 10 year , go anywhere . gig ….

Crew set up will be for single handed, crewed by up to 4-6 at times ………..reason
Sailing as a couple blue water, ones out of action your single handed.

“So ask yourself, from the "brown pants perspective", not what you like or can handle, but what can your weakest crew handle at 3 AM in a 45 knot gale after you've dislocated your shoulder falling down the companionway and are trying to shout instructions over the howling wind?”

Hence the question. From the guys that have “bean there done that “ hind signs a wonderfully thing .

Answer seam to be bigger is easier ……………….so far

Personally I’ve never sailed anything below 55 ft …………….with crew .

Interested in points of view ………..

Hi jbeam...

I am with the 40 vs. 45 only matters in the marina. Longer is sportier the windier it gets. Dpends on engine, prop walk, windage, yada, yada. At some point bow thruster becomes a helpful bit of kit.

My view is above 36 feet all sail "handling" is done by winches. Hand tailing sails on 40 foot boats is a good way to get hurt.

Engine vs. no engine falls in the arena of "unusual" ops.

1 - Sail to destination, anchor outside the marina, dink to shore. Arrange tow.
2 - Sail to destination. VHF marina. Arrange tow.
3 - Sail to destination. Deploy dink (benign conditions). Tow myself to dock.

[SkiprJohn]

I'd recommend 36 but that wasn't an option.
kind regards,

[David_Old_Jersey]

40 or 45 don't really matter - both of a size where brute force and ignorance is no longer so useful.
Me has 30'

and both big enough to cover a few dumber than rocks scenarios......


for 1 or 2 onboard I would go for the 40 - and spend the balance on enjoying myself.

for 4-6 45 foot (or more) would be my choice.

Nice boats