Boats Currently for sale for Single-handing

[Cat Partners]

I thought it would be nice to start a thread for single-handers to share what they feel is the best used boat(s) currently on the market for solo sailing.

[Greatest Lakes]

Mostly a list of desireables. It also depends how you intend to use the boat; leisure, racing, cruising, or some combination.
Self tailing winches.
All possible lines run back to the cockpit.
Probably 37' or less.
Good lifelines, I prefer a high toerail.
Ample attachment points for harnesses.
Reefing that's easy to do alone.
Boarding ladder that can be tripped when off the boat, ideally also causing the boat to point into the wind.
Gimballed storm stove, ideally like a sea swing or similar.
A faster boat makes for quicker crossings, but sometimes at the cost of comfort.
Autopilot and/or windvane. Ideally both, as the windvane stops working when under power.
Ample battery and recharging capabilities.
A main companionway that can be secured very well from the inside, possibly aluminum bars for warm areas.
A clean deck is nice, it reduces things that cause chafe, tangles lines, and fall hazards
Mast mounted vhf antenna for a bit more range.
The radar that can alarm when it detects proximity is a nice idea.
An often underappreciated upgrade, is a comfortable place to sleep. You won't get much, and you want some quality rest when you can manage it. Fell asleep once on my back with my head hanging back off the seat. I couldn't look down for a full day.
A windlass and chain locker rather than a hauspipe is ideal, along with a strong bow roller where you can reach the chain or rode with a snubber.
Shade. Bimini or dodger, or combination.
Most of this stuff is added as you go, but any boat that comes equipped with this stuff to start is great.

[Emmalina]

Most boats can be set up for solo sailing ! I have been doing it for years on mine !

[tkeithlu]

How about nav and radar at the helm, or maybe as many of the electronics as possible there?

[Stingo]

What Greatest Lakes says, plus learn a few one pot recipes where the pot is big enough for the meal to last a few days.

[h20man]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

How about nav and radar at the helm, or maybe as many of the electronics as possible there?

If you have a way to push to a tablet.. your problem is solved..

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

How about nav and radar at the helm, or maybe as many of the electronics as possible there?

I dunno about that! When underway I find that the auto pilot is steering most of the time and having the readouts under the dodger is a better location. One hates to have to get wet and cold just to check the radar.

Speaking as a double-handed cruiser... which is really two single handers sharing a boat when on passage.

Jim

[Chris31415]

Not really boats, but a good read for singlehanding:

Thoughts, Tips, Techniques and Tactics for Singlehanded Sailing

By Andrew Evan’s

https://www.sfbaysss.org/oldsite2013...irdEdition.pdf

[Greatest Lakes]

I dont have radar, but my Axium 7 is just inside the companiorway, and the autopilot control is right outside the companionway. I can sit inside if it's crappy and just reach out to adjust heading. Heading can be done from the axium as well, but its more convoluted.

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by Cat Partners

share what they feel is the best used boat(s) currently on the market for solo sailing.

"Best" is too subjective.
The leads for lines as well as the gizmos/devices and contraptions that come in handy, (maybe,) generally can be installed on most any boat.
As a single hander one of the big challenges is getting enough restful sleep.
Exhaustion does not contribute to safety or wise decisions.
As such I would want a boat that has a good "sea berth" on each side that is either amidships or aft of amidships.
Perusal of that feature will narrow down the search immensely.

[thomm225]

My boats have had nothing special installed for single handing except the autopilot on the boat I have now which I have been sailing since 2011

My lifelines are polyester line.

Mainsail raising and reefing are done at the mast.

I do have roller furling which is nice.

I don't have self tailing winches but since my boat is a 27'r most times I don't use the winches to raise the mainsail or when tacking on the jib. I just do it by hand unless the wind is really up then I sometimes have to use the winches especially to tighten the jib up all the way.

Everything can be learned by the single hander on his boat but an autopilot is almost a must.

Soon as I leave my slip and get into the creek on the way out I get the autopilot on so I can go forward and raise the main on the way out.

I've had the autopilots fail before so had to be on the tiller plus I have to hand steer at times downwind in big wind if I haven't gotten the main down.

Longest time on the tiller for me was 20 hours, but I was in my 40's then. It was overnight during the yearly 100 mile beach cat race out of FT Walton Beach, FL.

In 2020, I came across the bay in 30-35 knot winds and couldn't leave the tiller. Luckily I crossed those 20 miles in 3 hours because I was out of water in the cockpit and had no food within reach.

My last beach cat was for single handers plus it had a spinnaker. Getting the spinnaker down during or after rounding the downwind mark and prepping to go back up wind as a single hander was at the least interesting.

I had my rudder rake adjusted for damn near balanced or at a neutral feel to the tiller. I had just a touch of weather helm set because I had to drop the tiller to raise and lower the spinnaker

As far as sleep, I'm usually anchored these days by 11 pm or midnight at the latest.

If I do an overnight sail like rounding the Outer Banks when coming back North from Morehead City etc after I retire in a year or so, I'll use the 20 minute method, and maybe heave too some with lights on if I feel exhausted

After dealing with a sciatic nerve problem the last 4 months I know I can go on very little sleep. Sciatica is worse at night so you sometimes can't sleep plus getting up and icing down for the pain. Plus it can affect your bladder causing you to have to get up a lot for the bathroom.

Luckily for me, I started seeing a chiropractor August 28th after 3 months of trying other methods and drugs from regular doctors. My chiropractor just about has me back to or better than I was before this started on May 29th

I was out of alignment by 1.5 inches. Right leg shorter than the left.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejcp-rCYz3U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agtdrmAqojs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nXfjcCuiPk

[AKA-None]

Think you need some new photos :-)

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by AKA-None

Think you need some new photos :-)

The beach cat photos are from 2002 or so to around 2004. Those are it since that was the last beach cat that I raced and was sold in 2006.

The non-sailing photos are from 2018/2019 last time the boat was in the yard or just after it was out the last time.

Boat is going in the yard next month, and I'll do more sailing videos when I go South to Oriental and Morehead City with a stop at Cape Lookout Bight before coming around Cape Hatteras and back up.

When I sail the Bay after retirement going North of Tangier Island to the upper Bay there should be plenty of opportunity for some good photos up there.

[thomm225]

Also my next photos in a year or so may be of this new boat I plan to buy and use when not sailing/cruising.

16'-18' aluminum Jon boat!

I've had 12 or so boats since age 16, but never a new power boat. I had two new beach cats meant specifically for racing.

This boat will be used for re-exploring both the bayside and seaside where I will be living.

Maybe fish off the barrier islands that can only be reached by boat and nap on the beach during as a 70-85 year old.

Plus I'll be running it up on shore or over rocks and oyster shells to get it ashore so it has to be tough but also light.

I'll go clamming, fishing, and in the shallows with it.

https://www.sandpipermarine.net/New-...50000?ref=list

https://www.sandpipermarine.net/--xI...il?id=14249891

https://seaarkboats.com/models/jons/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmvlnpCKOvU

[thomm225]

Forgot to add these to go with the last two posts.

As far as single handing a sailboat goes, that's way too simple for a discussion.

Geez, just figure it out during a few sails.