Colorblind Cowboy

Need #boat help! Anyone know what the largest (in feet) #sailboat is that one person could reasonably sail on their own? Money is no object (and let's say it also has an auxiliary motor, but would mostly be under wind power)

Bonus points for links to said kind of boat, but not required.

Mar 31 at 11:12pmWeb
Show threadNorfolkGreg2d ago

@colorblindcowboy
"Reasonable" begs the question for what purpose.

If you want to #sail round the #world in #recordbreaking time then 75ft could be the answer.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2005/feb/10/thisweekssciencequestions4#:~:text=Ellen%20MacArthur's%2075ft%20trimaran%2C%20B%26Q,circumnavigate%20the%20world%20this%20week.

If you want to sail some of the narrower #rivers and #dykes of the #NorfolkBroads then I'd say 17ft
https://gregafloat.org.uk/seahawk/2006waxhamcut.php

What is so special about Ellen MacArthur's boat?

Technology, that's what. Ellen MacArthur's 75ft trimaran, B&Q, made her the fastest solo sailor to circumnavigate the world this week.

The Guardian
Show threadColorblind Cowboy2d ago
@gregc Ah, yeah. Always more context. We’re talking about someone sailing up and down the coast. So a single person could handle a 75-footer?
Show threadNorfolkGreg2d ago

@colorblindcowboy
Obviously, Ellen's boat was a one off designed and built for the purpose, but you said cost no object.

I wouldn't fancy paying the marina fees for boat that long or wide, if I was only using it for occasional weekend cruising, or the paying for new sails every few years.

Show threadColorblind Cowboy1d ago
@gregc Yeah. I probably won’t do anything that fancy, but it’s all very intetesting.
Show threadNorfolkGreg21h ago
@colorblindcowboy
You make it sound as if you're a landlubber who has just won the lottery!
🙂
Show threadColorblind Cowboy20h ago
@gregc If only. I should probably state it’s story research, so no one feels like they are contributing to my doom.
Show threadrAdio frEe mETa 2d ago
@colorblindcowboy when you say “sail,” the answer might be “where.” If you’re crossing oceans, maybe 36 feet. That would be tough, though.
Show threadrAdio frEe mETa 2d ago

@colorblindcowboy doable, but you still have to be a good sailor. I race on an Abbott 36 and the captain will do single handed races.

It’s always best to sail with someone else, that way you always have someone else to blame things on.

Show threadColorblind Cowboy2d ago
@Rfm I appreciate the info very much. Don’t worry, it’s not a lifestyle choice. I need something believable for a story that has some sailing at the end by an unusual character. I’m not getting into jibs and spars, nothing technical, but I also don’t want to create an unrealistic tipoff on page 1.
Show threadrAdio frEe mETa 1d ago
@colorblindcowboy it sounds like an interesting project. If you look up boats between 26-40 feet, and add the word “cruising “ to the search you’ll find a decent selection. Personally, 40 would be too big for me, below 30 too sketchy.
Show threadColorblind Cowboy1d ago

@Rfm When I was drafting the story I just put “20-foot.” I like the sound of 33 better (just occurred to me that is said to have been Jesus’s age, maybe that’s why).

Yes, I appreciate people with special interests willing to share their knowledge. I knew sailing would have many.

Thank you for the tips!

Show threadrAdio frEe mETa 1d ago
@colorblindcowboy and feel free to ask about your choices, sailors are very passionate about sailing
Show threadOrange Menace1d ago
@colorblindcowboy I regularly sail my 10m (33’) Albin Nova single handed. Not crossing oceans, but I’ve sailed half way round Ireland.
A friend sailed a Hallberg Rassy 36 round GB on his own.
With powered winches you can sail a much larger boat single handed, but it gets trickier.
Show threadColorblind Cowboy1d ago
@OrangeMenace Oh, thank you. That’s great to know. I think 30-feet souunds just about right for this story.