Is this dream realistic?

spadaforaj · Jul 22, 2010

Live the dream !

drh1965 said:
Is it realistic to think that a couple in their mid to late 50s in average "shape" could handle a sailboat in the 45-50 foot range (like a Benateau Oceanis)? Let's assume that the boat has an electric windlass, electric winchs, and furling main and head sails. We don't foresee crossing oceans but we'd like to be able to cruise up and down both US coasts. We currently sail a 28 footer which is trivial to handle.

If not, what is a manageable boat size? My preference was always to get a mid 30s boat but we think the extra boat size might make things more comfy when we have family aboard for some of the longer cruises.

Thoughts?

We are early 50's and just started cruising with a 33 ft Hunter with NONE of the wonderful pieces you mention - it's hard, but we have been able to do the basics in the ICW. I;d get to the gym, find someone who has a similar boat and crew to get a feel. Good luck ! Jim

sailaway78 · Jul 22, 2010

Depends on what you consider average

Depends on what you consider average. I am 72, and sail a 37 footer, with out electric winches or windlass. Single hand it a lot, quite a bit offshore in the gulf, and it's not too much. Just keep in mind that every foot adds sail area, etc. All the electric aids are fine when they work, and rest assured that something will fail when you need it most. I would highly recommend that even with the electric winches etc. you get something you can handle when they fail. And it is when, not if.

RichH · Jul 22, 2010

Such a boat will be fine for you.
As N&E states be sure that you have a 'backup' when the power fails to all the 'gizmos'.

Dont know how much tide or current you have in the Gulf; but. on the E Coast there are areas of 'bodaceous' tidal flow (4 times a day) .... and for a boat that size a bow thruster would make docking, etc. 'much' easier and safer.

kloudie1 · Jul 22, 2010

You can do that ! I have some buddies who cruise in a Beneteau 42 Center Cockpit out of Oriental Nc, with those goodies and a bow thruster.. He and she are mid 60's and don't have a problem handling the boat.

higgs · Jul 22, 2010

the 50 footer you describe will be easier to handle than your present boat. At 28 feet you are just a few levels above camping.

windward54 · Jul 22, 2010

I sure hope so, as we just sold our Hunter 40.5 and purchased a Jeanneau 49DS. I found that the Jeanneau was just as easy to handle as our Hunter.

Steve Dion · Jul 22, 2010

For the uninformed, electric winches are just manual winches with a motor attached. Yes, they have winch handles just like your manual ones. One of the best parts of an electric winch is when you need to haul someone up the stick. Just think about an elevator, not a lot of difference.

Personally I am NOT fond of furling "in mast" mains, but I am sure they are getting better every year. My experience with them has not been favorable. Those that have had trouble free operations will not feel the same.

An electric windlass will save your back. If it fails, you can also go to manual mode which is not impossible.

My opinon of larger boats is they are generally eaiser to sail and can take a lot more abuse before the crew get rattled. Our Hunter Vision 36 can be sailed in 30+ knots with a full main. I would never consider this with other boats that I have sailed or had.

Joe · Jul 22, 2010

With a good sail handling system, a reliable windlass, a redundant set of charging systems, a bow thruster, a lifting system for your dinghy and most of all a good attitude, a fifty footer would be fabulous. The cool thing about a boat that size is you can bring crew aboard to help for a difficult passage and handle the boat yourselves in when your runs are more benign....

You'll have to think out what to do when the convenience accessories fail, such as electric winches, the windlass (especially) and how to get the mainsail down if the roller furler jams..... But quite frankly those are problems you'll encounter on any vessel over 33 feet or so...

The biggest issue with a large boat is the cost of maintenance, docking, replacements and so on... But I think a healthy couple, no matter what age can handle modern 50 footer if it has the amenities mentioned.

That said........ for a sailing couple I can't imagine why you'd need anything over 40 feet... But if you like inviting guests for portions of your cruise... I think it would be wonderful for them.... non-sailors really appreciate the extra space.

jibes138 · Jul 23, 2010

I have some friends in their mid 50's that sail an 80 foot schooner. They make their kids do all the work. I also have some friends in their 60's sailing a Catalina 42with no trouble. Go out almost every day. The catalina 42 is quite spacious and I'm not sure what more youwould want in terms of size. Another set of friends has an Island Packet 46 or so. It is like being in a mansion. When the boat is large anough to have two cabins in the v-berth it seems a bit much for two people.
I also met a guy in St Thomas with a 52 Hylas. Flies down once in a while to sail her.
For live aboard my 35 would probably be a bit small due to storage limitations. A larger boat has more space to hold all the stuff I keep in my garage and the back of my pick up truck. Of course you will need a hanging locker and chest of drawers for the captain also.

KD3PC · Jul 23, 2010

I'm 54 with a rebuilt shoulder and knee and she's 49, we do the manual thing on our Hunter 42...lines lead to the cockpit. We have furling jib, standard main. The only tough part for us is reaching the top of the mainsail...we always take the cover off and attach the halyard, even if we just plan to motor around...

Else no problems. We have no electric winches but do have an electric windlass.

You will enjoy it immensely, and will be confident in a very short time. The extra footage will give you a lot more usable room for family.

Rick I · Jul 23, 2010

Only you can answer this question. Many couples older than you handle boats as big as what you're contemplating. It all depends on your ability and knowledge. We have no idea what your experience is. You know the answer, we don't.

Ross · Jul 23, 2010

I think that if you get away from the large volume builders you can find boats that are shorter but with more interior space. The Lyle Hess Bristol Channel Cutter had over 200 cubic feet of storage space below the water line in a boat 28 feet on deck.
Chuck Payne designs very fine yachts. http://www.chuckpaine.com/pdf/36EXPANNIE36.pdf

RichH · Jul 23, 2010

The real difficulty of 'larger' boats is that you are forced sometimes to 'manhandle' sails, etc..
Imagine being on a green water swept pitching deck wrestling with a water sodden sail in 'blammo' conditions .... and that sail HAS to come off and 'right now'. Ive found personally that the upper limit of that combined weight under such conditions will equate to a sail of maximum 400 sq. ft. .... and thats what is carried on boats in the 40 ft. range .... and provided me the maximum size for my preferences of a single-hander or 'double-hander'.
I once shredded a mainsail in F9-10 and HAD to get it down and off because of the potential of rig/mast damage ..... wasnt fun, and I was at the very limit of my strength and endurance, and Im a very healthy and 'athletic' person.

FastOlson · Jul 23, 2010

I have owned a 34 footer for over 15 years and done deliveries on boats up to 44 feet offshore/coastal for several decades. I single hand a lot.
I would add a "plus one" to the comment by RichH.
About 40 feet, give or take, is a good max for a couple. Your age is significant, but not as important as your health and general physical condition.
Speaking very much "in general" and based on some cruising couples I know that are out there (Pacific) right now, I would say that around age 70 to 75 is close to a limit for this, no matter how good your dna.. altho we do have some friends cruising Mexico now on a superbly-restored Cascade 36, and they are a bit over 75.....

The only larger boats I have been around that would be OK for a couple are lighter boats that have a sail area more like a 40.... like a Santa Cruz 52/53 cruiser. No sailing time on one, I hasten to add. ( But, I wish! )

If you are pleased & comfortable with your N-28, you should bear in mind that a lot of the current large production sail boats are not designed primarily for... wait for it... "sailing" like your present C&C design. You have a superb boat now.

In an turbulent and indifferent ocean, filled with endless breaking waves for a day(s) at a time... you need to be on a boat designed "from the outside in" and not the other way around. One of the best deliveries (gale conditions for 36 hours) I've had was on a KP-44, and that design heritage was the reason.

As to the other observations about ease of handling as boats get a little larger, i would agree. While I will never likely have another boat as much fun to sail as our previous Niagara 26, it is indeed easier to move around the decks on our present 11k displ. sloop and it can be sailed reasonably easily single or short handed.

While you may find that most "power assist options" work well enough, remember how many decades it has taken roller furling to reach the point where it is useful for extended off shore trips. Now imagine how long it will take main sail furling to slowly transition to that point. I know one rigger that commissioned that option on new Hu___ers, and said he would never recommend it to a friend.

Further, note that even "settled" technology like electric winches and windlasses are still constantly prone to the everyday failures that happen when salt water or vapor gets past their sealing systems.

Seems like we all Want More, but beware the ancient curse of "getting exactly what you want."

L

Cayennita · Jul 23, 2010

Look up Idylle 15.5 or Beneteau 51 un yachtworld.com and you will find my Cayenne III for sale. I sold my hunter 35 in 1998 when I turned 58 because it was to small for full time live aboard. We sailed/motored her from Annapolis to Key West to the Virgins and back to F. Lauderdale. Just my wife and I and no autopilot. In 1998 we bought the 51 footer in Tortola and sailed her to Venezuela, again without autopilot. There it was transformed to a great liveaboard. We sailed back to the Virgins, down to Trinidad, up to Maine and down again to Isla Mujeres. All this with only 2 of us and no autopilot. It all really depends on your health. I have raced for over 40 years and had both knees and shoulders repaired and no left elbow. Now I am 70 and bought a condo in ST. Croix and put the boat up foe sale. I did buy a J-36 that will be easier on me and have a Milwaukee right angle 28v drill with a winch adapter. I use it when I need it and do a lot of single hand sailing. The large boat is much more forgiving and with the electrical windlass I can raise sails and also the 12' dinghy on deck.
I see quite a few cruisers past 65 and not too many in their 70's but they are there. You have to know when your body says no more. However tomorrow I am doing the Chicago-Mac on a fully crewed 40 footer. They needed an experienced heavy air driver and that's me. GO FOR IT WHILE YOU CAN. Look at my boat on line.

zeehag · Jul 23, 2010

my uncle single handed a 1903 gaff rigged sloop until he was 95. no engine. no roller furling. no galley. no wheel. no tronix. no depth sounder..lol----so, what is the problem with todays folks that the same thing isnt considered anymore?/ we are a nation of weeaklings. getting weaker every day. sailing keeps you young. yes i have engine . yes i have tronix. yes i have---but i didnt say i wasnt weaker than my uncle..lol--i KNOW i am.....

Drew13440 · Jul 23, 2010

I would suggest you not think of yourselves as a "couple" handling the boat. Think of yourself first, with a broken arm and a head injury. Now think of your significant other in the cockpit, in a blow, alone. Can she handle the 50-footer without you?

zeehag · Jul 23, 2010

Drew13440 said:
I would suggest you not think of yourselves as a "couple" handling the boat. Think of yourself first, with a broken arm and a head injury. Now think of your significant other in the cockpit, in a blow, alone. Can she handle the 50-footer without you?

she would essentially HAVE to whether she knew how or not--is a realllly good idea , if spousal unit not have sailing experience , to bring someone along to handle boat when you cannot . who will stand watch if you arent doing that? will spousal unit be able to do that? 24 hour watches are single handing watches---if there is another soul onboard, that one needs to know what to do . there are no free rides in cruising..unless is a charter and crewed at that.
make sure that the one going with you knows how to do things necessary to get boat from point a to b. without freeking out. AND do the radio to get you help. lol.
if that cannot be accomplished--then get a different crew or do it yourself solo, for safety's sake

and donot forget there ARE storms out there---can she pull in the jib?/ can she reduce sail?? can she do ANYTHING to help?? if not--find crew. (works same if you install the word HE instead of SHE..LOL)

and ANY dream can come true--depends on how bad you want it....LOL..