best sailboat for single handed sailing

10 Best Sailboats for Solo Sailing (One Person)

10 Best Sailboats for Solo Sailing | Life of Sailing

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

December 27, 2023

The idea of single-handed sailing or solo sailing appeals to racers and cruisers alike. But what are the best sailboats for solo sailing? Well, let's find out.

Whether you've been thinking of going for a day's sail without assistance or dreaming of a solo passage to Bermuda, the desire and the magic of venturing out alone at the sea is something that any sailor can experience. It doesn't matter if you're cruising or racing, solo sailing, of course, requires you to change your thinking as you'll be solely responsible for the entire operation of the boat. More importantly, choosing a well-founded boat is critical to solo sailing.

When sailing with a crew, things may seem a little easy because you share the responsibilities among the crew and support each other in case of anything. But what happens when you decide to venture out alone or sail single-handedly? Whatever motivates you to go out sailing solo, you should choose a good boat that you can perfectly operate single-handedly.

In this article, we'll highlight 10 best sailboats for solo sailing, their prices, their best rigs, and everything else that you might need to sail them comfortably and safely.

Table of contents

General Features of Best Sailboats for Solo Sailing

Here are the general features to look for when choosing the best sailboat for solo sailing.

The Availability of Automation Systems

The forces that you sometimes have to deal with when out sailing can be extreme, to say the least. It doesn't matter whether you're sailing solo or with a crew, it's always very important not to underestimate the power of the wind and tide. While you can do a lot on your own, having some automation systems in place is an important feature if you're planning to sail single-handedly. In other words, a good sailboat for solo sailing should have various automation systems to make your work a lot simpler.

So if you're planning to go solo sailing, it would be great to consider a boat with the following systems:

‍ Autopilot for steering
Lines running aft (running to the cockpit)
Roller furling
Electric windlass
Hydraulic bow/stern thrusters with remote

Stability and Ease of Use

Again, the best sailboats for solo sailing are generally not known for their speeds. This is because they typically have wide beams and short waterlines, which are vital in providing stability thereby limiting their speeds. In short, the best sailboats for solo sailing usually sacrifice speed and additional performance for ease of use and stability.

Boat Features

When it comes to the structure of the boat itself, it's important to go for a boat that is close to the water, relatively small when compared to the wave height, and has lighter ballast, especially when compared to the displacement ratio. The idea here is that these features can combine to increase the boat's performance when you're sailing solo.

Additionally, a good solo sailing boat should be designed with a flat profiled aft bottom section. This is to ensure that the boat can come up on a plane when the wind conditions are breezy or marginal.

When it comes to the best sails for solo sailing, you can go for the unique sail design that combines both a Bermuda sail and a gaff sail. This can be essential in giving you a more sail area on a shorter mast than is possible when using either a gaff sail or a Bermuda sail. More importantly, the combination of a gaff sail and a Bermuda sail not only gives you a greater sail area on a shorter and easy to control mast but can also reduce the heeling force that's common in boats with taller and narrower sails.

Still on sails, it makes a lot of sense to choose easily operated sail controls. You certainly want a sail that one person can tuck a reef in quickly and be able to easily adjust the sheets. You should, therefore, prioritize the reefing and sail handling systems.

In terms of rigs, the gaff rig is arguably the best when solo sailing. Although the Bermuda rig is the most common, especially in modern sailboats, you can lose some windward abilities because of its lower aspects. As such, you can choose to use the gaff rig thanks to its ease of use and superior downwind performance.

10 Best Sailboats for Solo Sailing

There are numerous sailboats out there that can be easily and properly handled by a skilled and experienced sailor. To make it a lot easier for you, the following boats are great choices when solo sailing. Whether you're just looking to experience how it feels to solo sail or short-handed, they all offer easy, comfortable, and safe sailing.

Jeanneau Sunfast 3200

From the outset, it's easy to see that the Jeanneau Sunfast 3200 is designed with offshore short-handed sailing in mind. In addition to being a purist's sailing boat, this boat is a small and light boat that can be easily handled. Even better, it has the stability and strength to handle long passages and that's exactly why it was initially designed with the Trans-Atlantic race in mind.

With this boat, you can easily attain double figures in terms of speed even if you're sailing downwind. In essence, the Sunfast 3200 is designed with some of the latest technology to afford you the best strength-to-weight ratios. It has all the necessary features to allow you to easily adapt it to perform perfectly either as a cruising or racing sailboat. Some of its greatest features include the two double cabins, the chart table, a galley, and a head compartment.

This boat is particularly impressive when sailing off the wind and it's designed to ensure that it's functional and reliable even when solo sailing. This is perhaps because it's designed and set up for racing, so it can be great for you especially if you're looking for a coastal cruiser that can be easily handled.

Using the sloop Marconi can be the best way to go given that this vessel has a keel-stepped mast. Its maximum beam begins at 60% aft of the stem before extending to the transom, which can result in the sled hull being driven by a mainsail-heavy rig. This can then fly the masthead asymmetrical off a short sprit.

Given that the Jeanneau Sunfast 3200 is a very modern boat that's equipped with some of the latest boating technology; it comes with a base price of about $160,000. This is a vessel that's built by one of the world's premier builders and offers an intriguing blend of technology, reliability, functionality, practicality, and performance.

Having been the European Yacht of the Year for 2008, the Sunfast 3200 may just be the godsend boat for your solo sailing dreams.

If you're looking for a slippery cruiser-racer that's always ready to sail single-handedly, you might perhaps want to take a serious look at the Hanse 371. Introduced in 2003, the Hanse 371 is a mid-sized boat that was designed in a true blend of old and new boating technology. Thanks to its furling and self- tacking jib, the Hanse 371 becomes an instant single-handed sailing vessel that takes much of the strain out of your solo sailing adventures. That's not all; this boat is more popular as a result of its autopilot system. Press a few buttons and you'll be ready to go.

Although it's a little bigger and not one of the smallest boats out there, it can be a great option if you're planning to sail solo but on a vessel that offers a tremendous amount of space. Whether you love a boat with a shallow or deep center of gravity, the Hanse 371 has a commendable large galley and a spacious cabin layout.

Everything about rigging this boat is designed to be easy. Again, the jib on a roller furler is self-tacking. In essence, everything is standard and easy to use, which makes this boat a dream when sailing single-handed.

Already a classic that's known for its stylish interior, timeless look, and ultimate performance, the Hanse 371 is a coveted vessel that may cost you around $60,000.

Hunter Channel 31

Launched in 2001, the Hunter Channel 31 is structured with a hull and keel design that makes it easy to sail single-handed. This is a British-made vessel that has steadily moved from the racing scene to become a well-respected cruiser, especially among the solo sailing community. Thanks to its faultless handling and impressive turn of speed, the Hunter Channel 31 provides near uncomplicated sailing without losing its impeccable handling features.

Its well-balanced hull shape can either be structured with a low or deep center of gravity. It also has an efficient twin keel to give it more stability, which is perfect for solo sailing. This is, without a doubt, one of the main reasons why Hunter Channel 31 has proved popular among solo sailors trying to sail across narrow channels.

The Hunter Channel 31 is also designed with a great standard deck layout, as well as a non-compulsory self-tacking jib that comes with a single line mainsail reefing. That's not all; the tiller steering is also efficient if you're sailing single-handed as you can steer it with your legs while trimming sails.

It should, therefore, not come as a surprise that owners of the Hunter Channel 31 keep them for a long time, so finding them on the market will be a long shot. But if you're lucky enough to find one, you'll be getting a great vessel that will never let you down if you want to sail solo.

Like many Hunter designs, the Hunter 31 can be fractionally rigged given that it has a relatively large mainsail to give it a more sail area in light winds and a small headsail with a lower sheet load. In other words, you can efficiently and easily reef from the cockpit.

At about $35,000, the Hunter Channel 31 is quite affordable and is a great bargain in its category.

The J/109 is unquestionably one of the best single-handed or double-handed sailboats that money can buy. Whether you're looking for a coastal cruiser or a long-distance single-handed vessel, the J/109 will rarely disappoint. That's essentially why its single-handed offshore capabilities remain popular with sailors looking to make North Atlantic crossings.

Even though it is widely categorized as a planing sailboat, this vessel is too heavy for simple planing. Instead, this is a superb boat that offers an all-round performance. It doesn't matter whether you're solo sailing or sailing with a crew, its performance is always top-notch.

Thanks to its asymmetric spinnaker, you can easily jib it from the cockpit, especially in light wind. But when the wind is on the north of 20 knots, you can pole out the jib to give you a quick downwind speed. No matter which type of rig you choose to use, the J/109 offers a fair degree of control.

In terms of price, the J/109 is one of the relatively expensive sailboats out there, though this is compensated with the high standard equipment and outstanding quality of construction. For about $58,000, you can get a great boat that offers excellent solo sailing adventures.

West Wight Potter 19

Designed for safety and easy handling, the West Wight Potter 19 is a great sailboat for solo sailing. Although its name might not be one of the catchiest in the sailing scene, it's been around for over three decades and is steadily becoming a popular pocket cruiser. The original design draws inspiration from the U.K. but is currently built by the International Marine in California.

Over the years, this boat has seen several improvements even though its original look and features still attract a large and dedicated group of followers. This is not only a tough little boat but its hard-chine hull offers incredible stability. This makes it a very easy and ultimately forgiving sailboat. Whether you're looking to sail from California to Hawaii or across the Atlantic, the Potter 19 is outstanding for solo sailing.

This is a Bermuda-rigged sloop. Its sail plan is huge enough to propel the sailboat in various conditions. This makes it a perfect single-handed boat as you can easily set it up or take it down with no special equipment.

This is a remarkably affordable boat. At around $5,000 you can get a superb solo sailing sailboat. But if you want a new Potter 19 with additional features, you could pay about $25,000.

Beneteau 31

As a small cruiser keelboat, this French-designed boat is primarily built of fiberglass and is perfect if you want a vessel that's great for solo sailing while still offering maximum space for comfort. Its galley is equipped with superb stowage and counter space and even a sit-down navigation station with a small table.

Maneuvering this boat under power is quite easy and is well worth it for any solo sailor who is in the market for a coastal cruiser.

It has a fractional sloop rig, which makes in-mast furling a great option. This makes it easy to handle but also powerful in light winds. If you're sailing the boat off the wind, bow pulpit and an optional asymmetric cruising chute can keep things lively.

The new 31 can cost around $115,000, which is quite expensive but certainly worth it if you want to cruise the world in this French masterpiece.

Catalina 315

This is a nifty pocket cruiser that raises the quality bar for solo sailors with extreme comfort and performance. With just a 9.45 meter hull, the Catalina 315 has more internal room than most classics and remains superb for solo sailing.

Although it's a much bigger boat, it has little but significant features that make all the difference. For instance, the split backstays are great for balance and functionality. This is one of the main reasons why it won the Cruising World's 2013 Boat of the Year Best Inshore Cruiser award.

With a masthead sloop, rigging the Catalina 315 is a lot easier as it is equipped with both an in-mast roller furling mainsail and a roller furling genoa.

Even though the Catalina 315 will exceed your expectations when sailing solo, it's a high-end sailboat that will cost you north of $175,000. But if that seems expensive, you can look for a used model, which will cost you slightly lower.

A boat that has become a staple in the Olympics Games, the Laser may be simple and small but a real-go to boat if you want a vessel that will rarely let you down for your solo sailing escapades. As one of the world's most popular single-handed sailboats, its main feature is its sheer simplicity. This might not be the best boat for you if you love those fussy, big boats. But if you're looking for an amazing boat with a two-part free-standing mast and a sleeved sail, the Laser should be on top of your list.

The fact that it has a lightweight hull and is easy to rig makes it one of the most popular racing sailboats in the world with over 200,000 boats in over 140 countries. This is undoubtedly a perfect boat that's specifically designed for solo sailing.

This boat can be rigged using various rigs, so you should go with whatever works for you. We, however, prefer cat rigging the boat since it has no headsail and only has one mainsail. This is a boat that is designed for speed, particularly in high winds. It's also easy to set up, which makes it a marvelous option for solo sailing.

For around $7,000, this is probably one of the most affordable solo sailing sailboats you could ever get your hands on. You should, however, keep in mind that its price may widely vary depending on their availability in your area.

A real classically-styled sailboat, the Rhodes 19 is an ideal family daysailer that can be perfect for you if you're a spirited solo sailor. Whether you're planning to sail in heavy weather or fast, the Rhodes 19 is designed with a forgiving hull and is an accomplished heavy-weather performer. For over 5 decades, and with more than 3,500 boats built, this sailboat has proven time and time again that it has the characters for both beginners and experienced sailors.

With a low center of gravity, this boat remains a classic beauty that's very fast, easy to trailer, and will get many compliments whenever you're solo sailing. No wonder it is still actively raced throughout the United States.

A simple sprit rig can work greatly on this boat but you can also consider Bermuda-Rigged sloop, which is efficient in propelling the boat in various wind conditions.

Its price may vary depending on your location but something around $20,000 will get you a sailboat that's still in tip-top condition.

If like most Americans, you have a soft spot for finely engineered German automobiles, the Dehler 29 can be a great option for your solo sailing escapades. Even though the Dehler 29 hasn't attracted a huge following in the American shores, it remains an excellently-structured German sailboat, especially for sailors looking for a stable, agile, adaptable, and comfortable sailboat.

Whether you enjoy a smooth and solo cruise on a breezy afternoon or is energized by speed, the Dehler 29 is one of the most adaptable sailboats. This is certainly why it has received numerous accolades in the boating scene including the 1998 Cruising World Magazine Boat of the Year, as well as Sailing World Boat of the Year award.

Given that it's a single-handed sailboat, you can tiller steer it and cat rig it with ease to give you easy maneuverability, confidence, and absolute versatility.

With powerful dynamics and maximum safety, the Dehler 29 is one of the best German-produced sailboats that will set you back around $55,000.

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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11 Best Single Handed Bluewater Sailboats

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We know that you’re serious about sailing when you finally think of venturing to the ocean. Who can resist dreaming of solo sailing through the Atlantic? This is an adventure to prove your advanced skills, strength, and experience.

But before going off on your ocean adventure, you need to plan and prepare . We cannot stress enough the importance of good equipment. There is a lot of sailboat types and models in the market and we want to help you choose the best one for your needs.

Do you know what hull, rigging, and keel types you will need? What’s the best material and model for you to buy?

We will guide you through important sailboat features needed for the cruise. Follow this review until the end and we will share the 11 best single-handed blue water sailboats for your solo ocean sailing!

What Size Sailboat Is Best for Single-Handed Sailing

What type of hull handles rough water the best, sailboat keel types for blue water sailing, keel or decked stepped mast, sloop or ketch, how many spreaders, cutter rig, self steering gear, furling sails, westsail 32, albin vega 27, pacific seacraft 34, canadian sailcraft 36 traditional, hallberg rassy 352, contessa 32, fast passage 39.

If you are planning to manage your boat single-handedly, then size is an important factor to consider. It can affect the size of your accommodation, and maybe the boat’s design for speed and power.

Being alone, you need to have a clear overview of what is happening on your boat. This is especially important when maneuvering or for docking operations.

Experienced sailors can handle a 60-foot sailboat but novices would find it difficult with its steep learning curve . Check out the Vendee Globe if you don’t believe me. In general, a good sailboat size for single-handed sailing would range from 25 to 40 feet.

We recommend sailboats with sizes under 40 feet. These have good displacement and are great when against bad weather. They are solo-friendly and simply the most manageable.

But in the end, choosing a suitable size depends on your experience and preference. You need to consider your overall health, age, and physique. Make sure to have a complete understanding of your sailboat before going on your journey to prevent accidents.

The hull or the main body of your boat comes in varying shapes and sizes. Each different type of hull is designed for specific purposes.

When venturing the blue waters, you need to have a hull design that could handle rough waters easily. The hull shape determines the performance of your sailboat and therefore, should align with your strengths and skills.

Today, the most popular design would be the heavy displacement hull . This design is intended for ocean cruising and longer sailing travels.

It has great stability and performs better the deeper the draft is. With this design, you would expect a slow and steady motion during your sea travels with minimal effort.

V-type hulls, on the other hand, are designed to plane or ride on top of the water. You can usually see these types of hulls on powerboats. The V-type hull usually has a bigger engine and best when dealing with choppy waters while moving at high speed.

Narrow beams are also a great option for those who are looking for another ocean friendly feature . These are usually seen in traditional sailboats.

Canoe stern or the double are considered to be the best sterns for offshore sailing. They help cut through a following sea and really helps prevent the waves from pushing the stern over too much. It also has great buoyancy and balance that is perfect for bluewater cruising.

The best materials for hulls would be fiberglass, metal, and aluminum. These are durable and could last for decades if properly maintained.

Aluminum is lightweight and has resistance to corrosion and impervious to magnetism. Boats built with aluminum are fast, stable, and seaworthy.

Fiberglass hulls need less attention. Currently, boats are usually made of fiberglass as the material is easier for companies and also great for seakeeping and stability.

Metal like steel has high abrasion resistance. It helps retain the boat’s appearance but can be prone to rust and corrosion.

A keel is a fin-like blade found at the bottom of a sailboat. It supports the ballast and helps to control and steer the boat.

It is generally designed to stop the boat from getting blown sideways because of wind pressure. The full keel, modified full keel, fin skeg, and fin spade rudder are all suited for bluewater sailing.

A full keel runs along the full length of the boat – from the bow to the stern – which makes it the most stable in the water. It carries the vessel well and is the safest to use when grounding as it reduces the chances of damage.

This is most ideal when cruising and the most comfortable out of the four keel types with its minimal heel. Although the slowest on the list, it has great directional stability and steering capability.

An improved version is the modified full keel . It is a hybrid with improved windward performance and better heel reduction than the full keel. However, it made small concessions on its stability and comfort.

Meanwhile, the fin keel with skeg rudder has more strength and protection against damage and impact. It also has better mobility and steering capability.

This type has a faster speed and windward performance compared to the modified and full keel types. It is also more balanced, which is ideal for cruiser-racer types of sailboats.

Lastly, we have the fin with a spade rudder. This is the fastest type on the list but also the most vulnerable as the spade rudder greatly relies on the rudder stock. But if you want speed and great windward performance, then this type is the right one for you.

Sailboat Rigging Types

Rigging is the whole system of ropes, chains, and cables. It supports the sailboat mast and controls the sails’ orientation and degree of reefing.

There are two main groups of sailboat rigs, Deck Stepped and Keel Stepped. The main difference lies in the location of its mast step. Both are fine choices and the better rig would depend on your preference.

Just as its names suggests, you can find the mast stand on top of the deck with Deck Stepped and on the hull’s bottom with Keel stepped. This means that to reach the keel, the mast would need to pierce through the cabin.

Deck Stepped rigs have masts that are more flexible because of their contact points, and are easily adjustable for optimal performance. Keel Stepped rig is rigid and strong and offers slow and steady cruising.

Now let’s move on and talk about Slope rigged and Ketch rigged. Which is better?

A sloop rig is simple. It is composed of a mast with a jib and a mainsail. Ketch, on the other hand, is more complex with its two masts with any foresail, main and mizzen mast combinations.

If you are choosing between Sloop and Ketch rigged sailboats for solo sailing, then we recommend Sloop. Although, Ketch is manageable and can be easily used with less strength and effort. This is perfect for cruising as it can work around multiple sailing conditions.

In terms of spreaders, you can freely choose between a single or dual spreader. This deflects shrouds and supports the mast. We do recommend dual spreaders but single spreaders are also good.

It’s just that double spreaders give the rig more strength and better sail control.

The cutter rig is sometime referred to as an inner forestay or baby stay. Simplest way of describing it is that you have two head sails instead of just one. Gives you more options on sail configurations.

Single Person Sailboat Equipment and Gear

Your sailboat would not be complete without gear and equipment. You might want to invest in autopilot or wind vane, furling headsails, electric windlass, life jackets, and AIS to make your voyage much easier.

Wind Vane is an autopilot steering that you can use without electricity. It is usually placed on the back to catch the wind and respond to various wind conditions.

It automatically adjusts the rudders in response to the wind to alter the boat’s course. This is helpful because it’s like having another crew member on board you don’t have to listen to and feed.

Headsail furling or roller reefing is necessary for easier management of your headsails. It is important to have a functioning and updated roller furling system in order to reef, dowse, or stow the headsail efficiently.

Another item we would recommend is an electric windlass . You can choose one that works vertically or horizontally, depending on your needs. This will help you move the anchor effortlessly with a single button. Using the two windlasses that god gave you makes anchoring more difficult then it needs to be.

Life jackets are a must in every sailboat. Just be sure it fits you and that you know how to use it. Also, be sure to buy a coast guard approved product with a harness that could support your weight.

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) will help you avoid collisions . It is recommended to get a receiving and transmitting one when going solo sailing.

This way, you and the other boats with AIS within the radar area are alerted to each other’s speed, course, and direction.

Really, you won’t know what you might encounter in the ocean so you must always be prepared. We hope that these items will help you achieve a safer and more secure sailing experience.

11 Best Sailboats for Solo Sailing

Now, here are 11 sailboats that are best for solo sailing. Any of these vessels are guaranteed to take you safely and comfortably anywhere around the world.

This is a long full keel fiberglass sailboat that was built from 1971 to 1981. Its design was based on a previous model, Kendall 32, and has an amazing interior size geared for comfortable cruising.

W32 is widely noted for its seaworthiness. It is built with a strong and durable design and materials to resist extreme sea conditions.

It was used on various voyages and circumnavigations. Its hull is a heavy displacement and double-ender type designed for long periods of sailing.

It is also a cutter-rigged sailboat equipped with a single mast, forestaysail, mainsail, and jib. Its overall length including the bowsprit and boomkin is roughly 40 feet, which is perfect for sailing single-handedly.

Most people would note that the speed and acceleration of W32 are quite slow. This is due to its larger wetted area and sometimes newbies’ mistake of carrying too much on board.

With the right keel, sails, and rig configurations you can improve on W32’s speed and weaknesses. As seen from David King’s documented modifications, W32 proved to be safe, steady, and fast when sailing on blue waters.

Albin Vega 27 single handed solo sailboat

Vega 27 is a modified full keel sailboat with a masthead sloop rig. It was designed around 1966 and became the most popular production sailboat in Scandinavia.

It has a unique look because of its reverse sheer commonly seen in smaller boats to increase the area of its interior. It is made with fiberglass, but has a narrower hull compared to similar sized boats in its class.

Its shallow hull has a large cutaway as seen with modified full keel designs. This can make her quite stiff, heeling to about 15 degrees when its shoulders are buried.

Still, it is great for single-handed sailing because of its manageability and balance under different conditions. You cannot help but admire its light helm and great tracking capability.

Vega’s light air performance is okay but it shines when the wind blows at 15 knots or more. It could even maintain its dryness even with rough waves and weather conditions.

The most comforting feature would be its control and stability at all times unlike other more modern vessels with spade rudders. Overall, it is safe and ideal for longer cruises offshore.

This 30-foot traditional sailboat could take you anywhere. Alberg is notable for its narrow beams, long overhangs, and full cutaway keel with its directly attached rudder.

It is strong and durable. Its materials were mostly aluminum, hand-laid fiberglass, and polyester resin. More ballasts were produced in later productions as the early ballast was built with iron as opposed to the original lead design.

Alberg is greatly influenced by folk boats in Scandinavia. It is built with fiberglass and has an interior with comfortable full standing headroom and a well-vented galley.

This classic design from 1962 is ideal to cross oceans and is used for various circumnavigations. Alberg is a stable and seaworthy boat that could even be used in casual racing. Its best point of sail seems to be a beam reach and close reach.

It is praiseworthy when crossing oceans. Unlike modern designs that tend to be thrown around on rough seas, Alberg’s narrow beam design slices through big and rough waves and moves quickly. Under extreme weather conditions, it could perform heaving-to and lying-a-hull with no problems.

Pacific Seacraft 34 is a smaller heavy displacement semi-long keel sailboat based on the highly successful Crealock 37. It has the same graceful lines and appearance as the Crealock and is known as the Voyagemaker.

It is built with comfort and safety in mind with its large overhanging bow and beautiful sheer line ending with a traditional canoe stern. Constructed with the highest standard, it is a seaworthy sailboat that is ideal for bluewater voyages.

It is a cutter-rigged sailboat with skeg-hung rudders and control lines being fed back to its cockpit. The smaller cockpit may feel cramped but its design lowers the risk of flooding.

Still, it has a great interior suited for living aboard. It has a large headroom, comfortable galley, and up to five berths for comfortable cruising.

Although you may feel some hobby-horsing windward because of the overhangs, Seacraft 34 is overall a very balanced boat with great upwind performance. It has outstanding control capabilities and is able to sustain surfing speed with ease.

This is a double-ended full keel cruiser designed by Bob Perry and built-in Taiwan in response to the rising popularity of Westsail 32. It was offered to the market as a semi-custom boat and built with high-quality materials.

You can modify the internal layout and can choose a ketch, cutter, or pilothouse version. There is an option to use wood or aluminum spars. The mast could also be keel-stepped or deck-stepped.

Before, only 20 were ketch sailboats due to the popularity of the cutter design at that time. Now, ketch has proven to be faster and more balanced between the two.

Tayana is relatively faster than any sailboat in its class. Its best point of sail is in its broad reach. It also tracks well windward, and is an ideal choice for the trades. It is also great how the cockpit is secured from any flooding even when traveling.

Today, a lot of people are still actively sailing this. Tayana 37 has become well known for offshore and blue water sailing.

canadian sailcraft 36 single handed sailing solo

Canadian Seacraft is well known for its fiberglass racer and cruiser. CS 36 is a small traditional fin keel sailboat with a masthead sloop intended for recreational use. It is seaworthy and has good performance in different weather conditions.

It was designed by Raymond Wall and had a production run between 1978 to 1987. It remains to be popular in both north and south borders.

It is a beautiful sailboat with a graceful sheer line and balanced overhangs at both bow and stern. Its details and quality in design and production are clearly of a higher tier.

It is mostly built with fiberglass and balsa wood. It is equipped with an internally mounted spade transom hung rudder. All of its lines lead to the cockpit, which is ideal for single-handed sailing.

CS 36 Traditional also has a deep-depth draft and wide beams with great access to the cockpit and foredecks. It is wide and spacious, which is perfect for comfortable cruising.

The sailboat has great proportion and traditional aesthetics. It is simple and straightforward, which makes it ideal for bluewater sailing.

Hallberg rassy 352 single handing sailboat

This is a sturdy and high-quality sailboat built between 1978 to 1991. It features a progressive design, combining a walk through with the aft-cabin from the main saloon. It is made with a tall and standard rig each supported on double and single spreaders, respectively.

Hallberg Rassy 352 has a nicely balanced hull sporting a fin keel with rudder on skeg, a generous beam, and a 45 percent high ballast ratio. Its water and fuel tanks are placed low in the keel to improve sail carrying ability.

Its production spanning 14 years allowed for continuous improvements in its specifications. Newer sailboats have raised hulls for bigger headroom in the under the deck, aft cabins, and the walkthrough. Engines were also replaced by a Volvo and later a Penta Turbo or the bigger MD 22.

It is impressive how they balanced good interior and sailing performance. It has great seakeeping ability and smooth motion in heavy seas, easily an ideal sailboat for singlehanded sailing.

Corbin 39 was designed based on a Dufour design named Harmonie, increasing freeboard, and flushing the deck. Its style is influenced by the classic Scandinavian cruiser, Westsail 32.

It has a long fin keel, blunt bow, and a high freeboard. It was sold as kits, and various deck molds were produced. They have pilot, aft, and center cockpit variations.

It was made of sturdy and high-quality materials. The earlier version’s decks were of marine grade mahogany but it was later changed with Airex foam. Its lead ballast was encapsulated with fiberglass for added protection.

Earlier boats had a single spreader main or a turbocharged double spreader. Later, Corbin used 49 feet double spreader rigs instead, and all were deck-stepped.

Corbin 39 is truly a strong and seaworthy vessel. With its fin keel and skeg rudder, cutter rig, and reefed main combinations, it could take anyone safely and comfortably anywhere in the world.

Valiant 40 took its looks from Scandinavian double-ender sailboats. It had a successful production run that spanned for 47 years. It proved to be one of the pioneers for modern blue water designs.

Its hull is made from thick hand-laid fiberglass, bolted and covered with teak. Its ballast is cast with lead bolted to the keel stub. Lastly, the skeg is constructed separately from hull molding and encased with fiberglass before being fastened to the hull.

It has a beautiful bow and sheer lines and a longer LWL for maximum speed. At the back are a non-spacious cockpit and a canoe stern ideal for bluewater sailing operations.

Under the waterline is a fin keel with its skeg hung rudder. It perfectly matches with the cruising hall above, minimizing wetted surface area

Overall, Valiant 40 is a seaworthy vessel with great blue water performance. Extremely balanced and well-mannered, it can withstand extreme weather conditions with ease and minimal effort on your part.

It soon gained a reputation as a fast water passage-maker with high integrity. Now, it is regularly used for circumnavigations by solo sailors and voyagers.

If you like a sailboat with a proven track record, then Contessa 32 is for you. It is a seaworthy racer-cruiser with good all-around sailing capabilities released in 1971.

Like its younger sister, Contessa 26, it has great speed, integrity, and affordability . Contessa 32 is a definite combination of old and new with its traditional narrow beam, a full hull with a fin keel, and fiberglass rudder protected by a skeg found in more modern yachts.

It has marked overhangs and a narrow tuck-up stern. It has less headroom below in return for its lesser wind resistance.

This configuration delivers fast racing speed and great stability. It could definitely withstand extreme weather and rough waves. Contessa 32 is claimed to be able to right itself when rolled or capsized.

Contessa 32 is known for its forgiving nature. It has a responsive helm and excellent windward performance. With its astounding stability, it can carry full sail for up to 25 knots.

Fast Passage 39 was designed by William Garden and is said to be a legendary cruiser with speed, ruggedness, and fame. It is a stout double-ender comparable to the Valiant 40.

It has the same LOA and LWL as Valiant and also has nearly identical ballast and displacement. The difference is its narrower frame and more evolved underwater shapes resulting in flatter forward and aft keel sections and less wetted area. It also has great directional stability as its rudder allows great control under wind vane and down steep waves.

It is a high performing sailboat but also difficult to find as only 41 were produced. A part of the group was offered as hull and deck kits intended to be finished by the sailboat owners.

Fast Passage 39 also has a proven track record and has won single-handed blue water races. It performs great under a wide range of conditions, especially in light winds.

By now you should have some idea what makes a vessel Bluewater friendly. There are hundreds of vessels that can make long distance voyage safe and enjoyable. These examples above are just a few examples of the Best Single Handed BlueWater Sailboats.

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Single Handed Sailboats: The Ultimate Guide for Solo Sailing

by Emma Sullivan | Aug 22, 2023 | Sailboat Gear and Equipment

Short answer single handed sailboats:

Single handed sailboats, also known as dinghies or small keelboats, are sailing vessels designed for easy handling by a single person. They typically feature smaller sizes, efficient rigging systems, and self-tacking jibs to facilitate solo sailing. Popular examples include the Laser, Solo, and Sunfish.

Exploring the World of Single Handed Sailboats: A Comprehensive Guide

Exploring the World of Single-Handed Sailboats: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction:

Ah, the allure of sailing – the freedom, the wind in your hair, and the sense of adventure as you glide through pristine waters . While sailing with a crew can be a fantastic experience, there is something uniquely special about single-handing a sailboat. It’s just you and the elements, testing your skills and resourcefulness. If you’re ready to embark on this incredible journey, then keep reading as we dive deep into the world of single-handed sailboats .

Getting Started:

Before setting sail on your own, it’s crucial to become familiar with the basics. Single-handed sailing requires heightened awareness and expertise compared to traditional sailing. Begin by understanding how to handle different types of sails and rigging systems. Mastering reefing techniques – reducing sail area during strong winds – is an essential skill that ensures safety.

Moreover, make sure you’re well-informed about navigational tools such as charts, compasses, and electronic navigation systems like GPS. Familiarize yourself with weather patterns specific to your chosen sailing grounds so that you can plan journeys accordingly.

Selecting Your Vessel:

Choosing the right boat for single-handed sailing is paramount. Sailors often opt for smaller vessels due to their maneuverability and ease of handling without crew assistance. Cats, dinghies, pocket cruisers or some cleverly designed keelboats are popular choices among solo sailors.

Determine whether you prefer a monohull or catamaran; both have distinct advantages depending on your desired cruising style. Monohulls offer stability in rough seas while catamarans provide greater living space for extended voyages.

Downsizing to Minimize Hassles:

Sailing alone means taking on multiple roles simultaneously – helmsman, navigator, cook – leaving little time for relaxation if everything feels cluttered onboard. Downsizing becomes crucial in ensuring efficiency and smooth sailing. Opt for compact navigation and communication equipment, such as multifunction displays that combine multiple tools into one device.

Similarly, embrace minimalism in your provisioning strategy; smart food choices that require minimum preparation will save you valuable time onboard. Utilize clever storage solutions to maximize the use of limited space without compromising on essential items.

Safety Measures:

When it comes to solo sailing, safety should always be a top priority. Ensure your vessel is equipped with all necessary safety features including life jackets, fire extinguishers, rescue flares, VHF radios, and an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). Regularly check and maintain these devices to ensure their reliability during emergencies.

Don’t forget about personal safety equipment as well. Consider investing in a personal locator beacon (PLB), which broadcasts your location in case of man-overboard situations. Stay vigilant by practicing regular drills for emergency scenarios like heavy weather conditions or medical emergencies.

Navigating Challenges:

Single-handed sailing isn’t without its challenges – rough seas, unpredictable weather patterns, mechanical failures – they can all add extra pressure when you’re alone on the water. Mitigate risks by keeping a close eye on changing conditions and take preventive measures such as paying attention to weather forecasts before heading out.

Maintain a well-stocked toolkit onboard with essential spare parts and tools for minor repairs or adjustments. Additionally, familiarize yourself with a pre-determined inspection routine to identify potential issues before they become serious problems at sea.

Embrace Technology:

Technology has revolutionized single-handed sailing over the years. Embrace the digital era by incorporating innovative gadgets like autopilots or windvanes that aid in self-steering while you concentrate on other tasks aboard. High-quality electronic chart plotters can help track your progress accurately while reducing navigational stress.

Online communities are also a valuable resource for connecting with experienced sailors who share invaluable tips and advice on single-handed sailing techniques . Engaging with these communities can provide you with a support network and endless inspiration.

Conclusion:

Single-handed sailboats open up a world of adventure, freedom, and self-reliance that is uniquely rewarding. By understanding the fundamentals, making strategic vessel choices, prioritizing safety measures, and embracing technology, aspiring solo sailors can confidently embark on an unforgettable journey.

So hoist those sails, chart your course, and set out to explore the mesmerizing vastness of the ocean – all on your own terms. Single-handed sailing awaits; prepare yourself for an experience like no other!

Sources: 1. “The Modern Cruising Sailboat” by Charles Doane 2. “Practical Freedom – The Minimalist’s Guide to Sailing & Adventuring” by Heidi Nielsen 3. “Complete Ocean Navigator: Using Celestial Navigation & Electronics Together” by Bob Sweet

How to Master the Art of Sailing Alone: Single Handed Sailboats 101

Are you ready to embark on a thrilling journey filled with adventure, solitude, and the thrill of sailing alone? If so, then mastering the art of single-handed sailing is an essential skill you must acquire. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the world of single-handed sailboats, providing you with invaluable tips and insights to ensure a smooth and successful voyage. So hoist your sails, grab your compass, and let’s dive into “How to Master the Art of Sailing Alone: Single Handed Sailboats 101.”

1. Understanding Single-Handed Sailboats: Single-handed sailboats are specially designed vessels that allow one person to navigate through open waters effortlessly. With their streamlined hulls and efficient rigging systems, these boats offer enhanced maneuverability while ensuring minimal physical effort.

2. Preparing for Solo Sailing: Before embarking on any solo sailing adventure, it is crucial to be thoroughly prepared. Start by meticulously inspecting your boat and its equipment; check for any signs of damage or wear. Ensure that your safety gear is up-to-date and in good condition – life jackets, flares, first aid kit – never leave anything to chance.

3. Knowledge is Key: To conquer the art of solo sailing, equip yourself with extensive knowledge about navigation techniques like chart reading, buoyage systems, pilotage planning, tide calculations – the more adept you become at handling these skills on your own, the smoother your journeys will be.

4. Harnessing the Power of Technology: With advancements in technology, sailors now have access to an array of gadgets that can simplify their voyages significantly. GPS navigational systems allow for precise positioning while autopilot functions provide temporary relief from steering duties during longer trips.

5. Seamanship Essentials: Developing competent seamanship skills is crucial for navigating alone effectively. Improve your understanding of wind patterns and currents; practice reefing maneuvers (reducing sail area) for varying wind strengths. Knowledge of anchoring techniques and man overboard procedures is essential to ensure your safety in adverse conditions.

6. Optimizing Your Boat’s Setup: Single-handed sailboats are designed with ergonomics in mind, but optimizing the setup according to your preferences is highly recommended. Familiarize yourself with winch mechanisms, ropes, and lines to ensure smooth operation singlehandedly – make adjustments that facilitate ease of use.

7. Safety First: Solo sailing entails a certain level of risk; therefore, prioritizing safety precautions is non-negotiable. Always inform someone ashore about your plans and anticipated return time. Maintain regular check-ins via radio or satellite communication devices to provide updates on your progress. Carry backup essentials like extra food, water, and emergency supplies.

8. Developing Self-Reliance: Becoming self-reliant at sea involves honing skills in all aspects of boat handling. Practicing docking maneuvers solo will boost confidence when facing potential challenges in crowded marinas or unpredictable weather conditions.

9. Enjoy the Solitude: Sailing alone offers a unique opportunity for introspection and personal growth beyond the nautical realm. Embrace the solitude as you connect with nature, appreciating breathtaking sunsets, stargazing under clear skies, and experiencing the freedom that accompanies this lifestyle.

10: Learn from Seasoned Solo Sailors: Lastly, never forget that learning from those who have mastered single-handed sailing before you can be immensely valuable. Seek out books written by experienced solo sailors, join online forums or attend seminars conducted by yachting associations – their wisdom will guide you towards success on your solitary adventures.

Mastering the art of sailing alone aboard a single-handed sailboat requires dedication, knowledge, and experience – but it is an exhilarating pursuit worth undertaking for those seeking solitude amidst nature’s most beautiful expanse: the open ocean. So start preparing today – your solo voyage awaits!

Step-by-Step: Navigating the Waters with Single Handed Sailboats

Sailing, with its romantic allure and sense of freedom, has been captivating adventurers for centuries. However, sailing solo brings a whole new level of excitement and challenge to the table. Enter single handed sailboats – vessels specially designed to be operated by just one person.

In this blog post, we will take you on a journey through the intricacies of handling single handed sailboats step-by-step. From preparation to mastering sailing techniques, we’ll cover it all with a professional touch and sprinkle of wit.

1. Choosing the Right Single Handed Sailboat: Just like finding your soulmate, selecting the perfect boat that matches your skills and preferences is essential. Factors such as size, stability, maneuverability, and equipment options should be thoroughly considered. We will guide you through this critical decision-making process so that you can find your ideal vessel.

2. Planning and Preparation: Before venturing into the majestic waters alone, thorough planning is crucial for safety and success . We will discuss everything from selecting suitable sailing routes to checking weather conditions and tides. Our expert advice will help you prepare both mentally and physically for your solitary voyage.

3. Safety First: Being alone at sea requires extra precautions to ensure your well-being throughout your sailing adventure . We’ll provide comprehensive tips on safety equipment selection, emergency procedures, signaling devices, first aid kits – all geared towards minimizing risks so that you can fully enjoy a worry-free experience.

4. Navigation Tips: As a single-handed sailor, navigating efficiently becomes even more critical without a co-pilot’s assistance. We’ll delve into advanced navigation techniques using charts and GPS systems while imparting wisdom gained from seasoned sailors on how to navigate tricky situations such as strong currents or sudden changes in wind direction.

5. Mastering Sail Trim: Properly adjusting sails is an art that leads to smooth-sailing experiences even on the most challenging waters. With our step-by-step explanations and clever insights, we’ll help you understand the intricacies of sail trim , from setting up your rigging to fine-tuning sail positioning. You’ll be able to catch every whisper of wind with finesse and grace.

6. Simplifying Maneuvers: Single handed sailors need to master various maneuvers that may ordinarily be shared among a crew. We will break down essential skills like tacking, jibing, reefing, and mooring into manageable steps. Equipped with our comprehensive guidance, you’ll smoothly perform these maneuvers as if you had a whole team by your side.

7. Boosting Confidence: Sailing solo can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially for beginners or those transitioning from crewed sailing . Our blog will offer practical strategies and confidence-building techniques derived from experts and experienced solo sailors alike. We aim to inspire you to push boundaries while testing your abilities in a responsible and thrilling manner.

So whether you dream of conquering vast oceans alone or simply desire the freedom that single-handed sailing brings, our step-by-step guide will give you the tools needed for an unforgettable adventure. Join us as we navigate the waters together with single handed sailboats – combining professionalism, wit, and clever insights throughout your journey!

Frequently Asked Questions about Single Handed Sailboats Answered

Title: Demystifying Single-Handed Sailboats: Expertly Answering Your Burning Questions

Introduction: Setting sail on a single-handed adventure can be an exhilarating experience, allowing you to chart your own course and reconnect with the raw power of the ocean. However, before embarking on this thrilling journey, it’s essential to address some frequently asked questions that commonly arise when discussing single-handed sailboats. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll navigate through the most burning inquiries, providing you with professional insights intertwined with witty and clever explanations. So fasten your life jacket and get ready for a voyage of knowledge!

1. What is a single-handed sailboat? Isn’t sailing traditionally a team sport ? Ahoy there! While sailing has historically been associated with collaborative efforts aboard larger vessels, the rise of single-handed sailboats has revolutionized the sport . A single-handed sailboat refers to any vessel designed and rigged specifically for solo sailing, encompassing various sizes and types tailored to meet individual preferences. Solo sailors prove their mettle by skillfully maneuvering these boats all on their own.

2. Is it safe to sail alone? Safety is paramount in any seafaring adventure! Single-handed sailing can indeed be safe if proper precautions are taken. Skippers must ensure they have extensive knowledge of navigation techniques, weather patterns, emergency procedures, and possess adequate skills in boat handling. Additionally, equipping yourself with safety gear such as life jackets, flares, EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons), and having reliable means of communication is crucial.

3. How challenging is it for beginners to learn how to solo-sail? Learning anything new always comes with a learning curve! For beginners venturing into the world of solo-sailing, it’s recommended to start small with simpler boats like dinghies or small keelboats . These vessels provide a manageable learning platform where inexperienced sailors can grasp the fundamentals – like boat handling, maneuvering, and understanding the effects of wind and currents. With time and practice, aspiring solo sailors can organically progress to larger vessels.

4. What are some popular single-handed sailboat designs ? In the vast sea of single-handed sailboats, a few designs have captured the hearts of sailing enthusiasts worldwide. The Mini Transat 6.50, renowned for its compact size and exceptional seaworthiness, is a favorite among adventurers seeking thrilling offshore endeavors. For those craving high-performance precision, the Laser Standard or Radial Olympic-class dinghies offer incredible speed and agility. The Contessa 32, with its classic charm combined with sustainability and simplicity, continues to attract sailors seeking elegance in their lone journeys.

5. How do solo sailors handle sleep during long trips? Sleep – every sailor’s treasure! During extended passages on single-handed sailboats, skippers face the challenge of managing rest alongside navigation duties. Cleverly designed autopilot systems can help maintain course direction while allowing brief periods for napping. Employing alarms, timers, or even physical cues (such as bucket-and-string techniques) enables skippers to wake up periodically to verify their boat’s safety and make adjustments if needed.

6. Can single-handed sails be set up by one person alone? Certainly! Single-handed sailboats are explicitly designed for self-reliance in all aspects – including setting up sails . Innovations such as lazy jacks (ropes that guide sails down into neat piles), furling systems (which allow sails to be rolled away easily), or even simplified rigging techniques grant solo sailors confidence in quickly adjusting their sail plan without relying on additional crew members.

Conclusion: As you navigate your way through these frequently asked questions about single-handed sailboats, it becomes clear that venturing out on solitary voyages holds a unique allure for adventurous souls around the world. Armed with knowledge on boat selection, safety precautions, and learning the art of solo sailing, you can confidently embark on a remarkable journey across tranquil waters or daring offshore expeditions. Single-handed sailboats embody freedom, self-reliance, and the boundless adventure that awaits those who dare to embrace the rhythm of wind and sea alone.

The Advantages and Challenges of Sailing Solo: Single Handed Sailboats Unveiled

Sailing solo is a remarkable feat that demands both courage and skill. It requires sailors to navigate the open seas without any crew members by their side, relying solely on their own strength, experience, and intuition. For those with a longing for adventure or a desire to test their limits, single-handed sailboats provide both advantages and challenges that can truly unveil one’s capabilities.

One of the primary advantages of sailing solo is the unmatched sense of freedom it offers. There are no compromises or limitations imposed by others; you have complete control over every aspect of your voyage. Decisions such as course alterations, speed adjustments, or route planning are made solely by you, allowing for maximum flexibility and independence. This empowering experience not only strengthens your sailing skills but also fosters personal growth and self-reliance.

In addition to freedom, solo sailing allows for an unparalleled connection with nature. The serenity of being alone on a vast expanse of water surrounded by nothing but wind and waves provides an opportunity for introspection and tranquility that few other activities can match. The sheer beauty and vastness of the ocean become your constant companion, promoting a deep sense of appreciation for the natural world.

Moreover, single-handed sailboats often boast innovative designs specifically tailored to meet the needs of solo adventurers. These vessels are equipped with advanced technologies that simplify tasks usually carried out by multiple crew members. Features such as self-steering mechanisms or automated navigation systems make handling the boat more manageable and less physically demanding.

However, despite its many advantages, sailing solo also presents unique challenges that require careful consideration. One must possess extensive knowledge of seamanship techniques as well as advanced navigational skills to handle unpredictable weather conditions or unexpected emergencies effectively. Unlike in crewed voyages where individuals share responsibilities during watch shifts, solo sailors must remain alert at all times throughout their journey—daytime or nightfall.

Loneliness can also pose severe mental challenges during extended periods at sea. The absence of companionship and the constant exposure to solitude can test even the most resilient individuals. It requires a strong sense of self-motivation and mental fortitude to overcome feelings of isolation, boredom, or homesickness. However, for some, this isolation becomes part of the appeal—an opportunity for deep reflection and personal growth.

Furthermore, physical exhaustion is an ever-present challenge for solo sailors. Without crew members to share the workload, tasks such as navigating complex waters, handling heavy sails, or anchoring become physically demanding and potentially exhausting. Stamina and physical fitness are vital attributes that must be cultivated in order to withstand the rigorous demands of solo sailing.

In conclusion, sailing solo on single-handed sailboats offers adventurers a unique experience filled with advantages and challenges that unveil one’s true mettle. The freedom to chart your own course while basking in the beauty of nature is unparalleled. However, it demands a thorough understanding of seamanship skills, mental resilience to combat loneliness, and physical endurance to conquer tiring tasks at sea. For those seeking an extraordinary voyage that tests limits both internally and externally, solo sailing is an adventure worth exploring.

Dive into the Best Single Handed Sailboat Options Available Today

Dive into the Best Single-Handed Sailboat Options Available Today

Are you a sailing enthusiast, yearning for the ultimate solo adventure on the open sea? If so, you’ll be delighted to know that there is a wide array of single-handed sailboat options available today. These boats are specifically designed to empower sailors with the ability to navigate and operate their vessel independently, providing an unmatched sense of freedom and adventure. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at some of the best single-handed sailboat options currently on the market.

First up is the renowned Laser. This iconic boat has become synonymous with single-handed sailing due to its simplicity and maneuverability. The Laser’s streamlined design allows for swift and effortless sailing, making it an ideal choice for beginners and experienced sailors alike. With its durable construction and versatile rigging options, this sailboat offers incredible performance in various weather conditions . Whether you prefer leisurely cruises or competitive racing, the Laser is undoubtedly one of the top choices for any solo sailor .

For those seeking more speed and agility on the water , consider exploring the RS Aero. This cutting-edge sailboat represents a true revolution in single-handed sailing technology. Built with lightweight materials such as carbon fiber composites, the RS Aero offers exceptional speed while maintaining optimal stability even in strong winds. Its sleek design not only enhances performance but also makes it effortless to transport or store. Designed by expert sailors who understand the thrill of sailing solo, this boat guarantees an exhilarating experience like no other.

If you’re looking for a balance between comfort and performance, look no further than the Melges 14. This stylish sailboat combines modern design elements with practical features tailored specifically for solo sailors. Its spacious cockpit provides ample room to move around while ensuring easy accessibility to all controls and rigging systems – essential for those operating alone at sea. The Melges 14 boasts impressive acceleration capabilities and responsive handling, making it an excellent option for both recreational cruising and exhilarating races .

On the more adventurous side, you may want to explore the magic of trimaran sailing with the Corsair Pulse 600. With its innovative folding features, this sailboat offers unmatched flexibility in terms of transportation and storage. Capable of reaching high speeds and exceptional stability, the Corsair Pulse 600 is perfect for those who crave excitement on their solo sailing adventures. Its lightweight construction allows for effortless single-handed operation while being well-equipped with user-friendly systems that maximize control and safety.

In conclusion, if you’re a solo sailor seeking the thrill of navigating alone on the open sea , there is a wide range of remarkable single-handed sailboat options available today. From the timeless simplicity of the Laser to the cutting-edge technology of the RS Aero and Melges 14 to the adventurous nature of trimarans like the Corsair Pulse 600 – these boats are sure to ignite your sense of adventure. So grab your gear, set sail , and let these fantastic vessels take you on extraordinary journeys filled with unforgettable moments. Happy exploring!

Best Sailboats for Solo Sailing

It can be really intimidating to think about sailing alone for the first time. But don't let that stop you. Here are some of the best sailboats for solo sailing.

October 17, 2023

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‍ It can be really intimidating to think about sailing alone for the first time. But don't let that stop you. Here are some of the best sailboats for solo sailing.

It can be tough to find someone who's available and willing to go sailing with you on short notice. And even if you do manage to find a partner, there's always the risk that they might cancel at the last minute or that weather conditions will be unfavorable.

The best solo sailing sailboats are easy to maneuver and have all the necessary safety features. The Jeanneau Sunfast 3200, J/109, Hunter Channel 31, West Wight Potter 19, and Cape Dory 28 are all great choices. Each one has its own unique set of features that make it ideal for solo sailing.

If you're looking for the best sailboats for solo sailing, you've come to the right place. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best options on the market and help you decide which one is right for you. We'll cover everything from small boats that are perfect for beginners to larger vessels that can accommodate a crew. So, whether you're a first-time sailor or an experienced captain, read on to find the perfect boat for your next adventure.

When selecting the best sailboats for solo sailing, we considered various factors, including size, ease of use, and safety features. We also looked at the opinions of experienced sailors to get a better idea of which boats are most popular among those who like to sail alone.

Table of Contents

‍ 1. Jeanneau Sunfast 3200

The Sunfast 3200 is a highly popular choice for sailors seeking a solo-sailing vessel. It's fast, comfortable, and relatively easy to handle, making it ideal for those who want to enjoy the experience of sailing without having to worry about the challenges that come with larger boats.

There are a few things that make the Sunfast 3200 stand out from other solo-sailing vessels. First, its deep and wide keel helps to provide excellent stability and tracking. This is particularly important when sailing in windy conditions or when making turns at high speeds. Additionally, the boat's hull is designed to provide good aerodynamic properties, which helps to reduce drag and improve performance.

One of the most impressive features of the Sunfast 3200 is its large cockpit. This provides plenty of room for crew members to move around, giving them the ability to access all the boat's controls easily. Additionally, the cockpit features several storage compartments that can be used to keep sails, equipment, and supplies close at hand.

The Jeanneau Sunfast 3200 features two cabins that can comfortably accommodate a single person. There is also a small galley area that can be used to prepare meals or snacks. Finally, the boat is fitted with several navigation and communication systems, making it easy for sailors to stay safe and in touch while out on the open water.

Since this vessel has a keel-stepped mast, we recommend going with the sloop Marconi rig. This will provide you with the greatest amount of control and stability when sailing. The Sunfast 3200 is also available in a ketch or cutter rig, but these options are best suited for experienced sailors looking for a more challenging sailing experience.

According to designer Daniel Andrieu, the Sunfast 3200 was designed to be "the ultimate solo-sailing machine." Andrieu says that he wanted to create a boat that would be "safe, fast, stable and easy to handle." As a result, the boat sits on the wide side and is as light as possible, allowing them to cram almost 3,000 pounds of their 7,496-pound light displacement into the iron fin and lead keel bulb.

The twin tillers, which drive two high-aspect rudders, provide excellent helm control for either tack at any point of sail. The boat's wide beam helps to provide good stability, and the deep keel ensures that it tracks well in windy conditions.

The Sunfast 3200 features a 15hp Yanmar Diesel engine located in a watertight compartment beneath the cockpit sole. This helps keep the vessel's center of gravity low, improving both performance and handling.

One of the most impressive aspects of the Sunfast 3200 is its speed. Under power, the boat can reach speeds of up to 8 knots. However, it shines when under sail. Thanks to its light displacement and high-aspect sails, the Sunfast 3200 can reach speeds in excess of 20 knots.

The Jeanneau Sunfast 3200 was chosen as the European Boat of the Year by the European sailing media in 2008. This is a testament to the boat's design and construction quality and its performance on the open water.

One downside to the Sunfast 3200 is its price tag. At over $160,000, it's one of the most expensive solo-sailing vessels on the market. However, given its impressive performance and features, we feel that it's worth every penny. The 20-gallon fuel capacity isn't great, but it's not terrible either. The engine is very efficient, so you won't have to refuel too often.

The Jeanneau Sunfast 3200 is an excellent solo-sailing vessel that will provide its owner with years of enjoyment on the open water. It's fast, stable, and easy to handle, and it comes packed with several features that make it a great choice for both experienced sailors and first-time boat buyers alike. If you're looking for a high-performance solo-sailing boat, the Sunfast 3200 should definitely be at the top of your list.

Price: $160,000
Length overall: 33.08 ft
Displacement: 7496 lbs
Fuel capacity: 20 gal
Water capacity: 21 gal
Rigging type: Fractional Sloop
Lightweight and fast
Good handling
Ideal for novice sailors
Durable construction
Great stability
A tad expensive
Low fuel capacity compared to others in its class

If you're looking for a fast, fun, and competitive sailboat, the J/109 is definitely worth considering. This popular one-design racer-cruiser has been winning regattas and impressing sailors since its launch in 2004.

The J/109 is well-suited for both racing and cruising, with a comfortable interior that includes a spacious main salon, two double staterooms, and a large head with a separate shower stall. On deck, the boat is designed for easy single-handed or short-handed sailing, with all controls led aft to the cockpit.

Performance-wise, the J/109 is known for its excellent upwind speed and pointing ability. It's also relatively light (around 10,900 lbs) and easy to tow, making it a great choice for sailors who want to do a little bit of everything.

The J/109 has a purposeful, racy design with only a little bow over the waterline and an open stern. The boat is also equipped with a powerful asymmetrical spinnaker and a North Sails 3Di mainsail, making it capable of some great downwind speed. The deckhouse is nicely proportioned and well-protected from the elements, with a large dodger and bimini for shade.

BaltekContourkore's end-grain balsa composite construction is used throughout the hull and deck, resulting in a strong yet lightweight structure. The boat is also equipped with a watertight collision bulkhead forward and an integrated swim platform aft. The J/109 also features an emergency tiller and a comprehensive set of safety gear, including two anchors, a life raft, and a ditch bag.

The patented "Scrimp" resin infusion process is used to construct the J/109, resulting in a strong, stiff, and lightweight hull. The boat also features a keel-stepped mast, anodized aluminum toe rails, and a set of Harken winches.

A 27 Hp Yanmar 3 engine runs the J/109, providing plenty of power for cruising or racing. The engine is also located in a sound-proofed compartment, making it relatively quiet underway.

The J/109 has a large forward cabin with a V-berth, a settee, and plenty of storage. There is also a private head with a shower stall, making it a great choice for cruising couples. The aft cabin features a double berth, a settee, and plenty of storage. A skylight and opening port provide natural light and ventilation, while an ensuite head with a shower makes it convenient for overnight guests.

The J/109 galley is located on the boat's port side, just aft of the forward cabin. It features a two-burner stove, a sink, and plenty of counter space for food preparation. The main salon of the J/109 is spacious and comfortable, with a large U-shaped settee and a table that can accommodate up to eight guests. There is also plenty of storage space, including cabinets, shelves, and a closet. A flat-screen TV is mounted on the forward bulkhead.

The head of the J/109 is located on the starboard side of the boat, just aft of the main salon. It features a sink, a vanity, and a large head with a separate shower stall. The companionway of the J/109 is located on the starboard side of the boat, just aft of the main salon. It features a set of teak steps and a large hatch that provides access to the cockpit.

The cockpit of the J/109 is well-protected and spacious, with ample room for crew and gear. All controls are led aft to the helm, making it easy to sail single-handed or short-handed. There is also a large lazarette for storage, a hot and cold-water shower, and a swim ladder that makes it easy to get back on board from the water.

One downside to the J/109 is its price tag, which is high for a boat of its size. However, its quality construction, spacious accommodations, and impressive performance make it great for serious sailors.

The J/109 is a fast, fun, and competitive sailboat that is well-suited for racing and cruising. With a comfortable interior, easy single-handed sailing, and great upwind speed, the J/109 is a great choice for sailors who want to do a little bit of everything.

Price: $100000-$150000
Length: 35.25 ft
Draft: 7.00 ft
Displacement: 10900 lbs
Fast and competitive
Spacious interior
Easy single-handed sailing
Loaded with features
High price tag
Not the most stable in rough waters

3. Hunter Channel 31

The Hunter Channel 31 is a great option for sailors looking for a fast and comfortable solo-sailing vessel. It's lightweight and easy to handle, and it comes with a number of features that make it an ideal choice for both experienced sailors and first-time boat buyers alike. Solo-sailing is made easier by the hull and keel design. The boat is also stable and tracks well in most wind and wave conditions, making it a great choice for sailors who want to explore new areas.

The Hunter Channel 31 is a fractional sloop that was designed by David Thomas and built by Hunter Boats. It has a fiberglass hull and deck with an aluminum mast and keel. The boat's overall length is 30.75 ft, with a beam of 10.33 ft and a draft of 4.08 ft. Channel 31 is constructed using the SCRIMP process, which involves the infusion of resin into the fiberglass to create a stronger, more durable hull. This construction method results in a lighter boat that is also less susceptible to delamination.

The Hunter Channel 31 sailboat is also great for cruising and day sailing. It has a large cockpit that can comfortably accommodate up to four people, and the cabin can be used for storage or as a place to take a break from the sun. The boat also comes with all of the standard amenities, including running lights, an anchor, and a dock line.

The boat has several features that make it both comfortable and easy to sail, including an ergonomic cockpit layout, self-tailing winches, and a furling mainsail. The boat also comes with a number of safety features, such as a keel-stepped mast and an onboard emergency location beacon.

The Hunter Channel 31 features two cabins and six berths, making it a great option for weekend getaways. The forward cabin has a V-berth that can accommodate two people, while the aft cabin has two berths and a sitting area. There is also plenty of storage space in both cabins for gear and supplies.

The boat's lightweight and high ballast ratio make it stable in heavy weather, and its deep keel provides good tracking ability. The Channel 31 is also equipped with a bowsprit, which allows for the use of larger headsails.

The Hunter Channel 31 is a fast and responsive boat perfect for sailing in coastal waters. It has a cruising speed of 7 knots and a top speed of 9 knots. The boat also handles well in strong winds, making it a great choice for sailors who live in areas with rough seas.

In addition to its high performance, the Channel 31 is also very comfortable to sail. It comes with several features that make it easy to adjust to different wind and wave conditions, including a self-tacking jib, roller furling mainsail, and V-berth with storage below.

The Channel 31 isn't the fastest boat on the water, but its speed is more than enough for most sailors. The boat is also comfortable and easy to handle, making it a great choice for both experienced sailors and first-time boat buyers alike. Furthermore, at $50,000, the Hunter Chanel 31 is an excellent value for a solo-sailing vessel.

The Hunter Channel 31 is the perfect boat for anyone who wants to enjoy the thrill of sailing without worrying about being cramped up in a small space. It's also a great option for those who want to sail in style, as the boat's sleek design is sure to turn heads out on the water. Whether you're sailing around your local harbor or crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the Hunter Channel 31 is a great option for anyone who wants to experience the best of sailing.

Price: $50000
Length Overall: 30.75 ft
Displacement: 9500 lbs
Draft: 4.08 ft
Rigging type: Fractional sloop
Great value for money
Sleek design
Comfortable cockpit
Well-made and durable
Not the fastest boat on the water
It may be too large for some sailors

4. West Wight Potter 19

The West Wight Potter 19 sailboat is a great option for those who are looking for an affordable and easy-to-use sailing boat. This boat is perfect for both beginners and experienced sailors and can be sailed in various settings. The Potter 19 is made from durable materials that can withstand even the harshest conditions. It also comes with all the necessary rigging and accessories allowing you to get out on the water as soon as possible.

The West Wight Potter 19 sailboat is designed for both performance and comfort. It has a spacious cockpit that can accommodate up to four people, and the high-quality materials make it durable and weatherproof. The boat also comes with various standard features, including anodized aluminum spars, ballasted fin keel, and molded incluses.

Due to its compact size, the Potter 19 can be easily trailer-launched and stored in a standard garage. It's also easy to sail, even for beginners, and can be rigged in minutes. The galvanized keel retracts vertically into the hull for easy beaching or trailering, and the included trailer has brakes for extra safety.

The mast can be raised manually with the mast-raising mechanism, which is a simple process that requires only one individual. The boat can also be sailed single-handedly, and the jib can be reefed without leaving the cockpit.

The Potter 19 also features a self-tacking jib, which is ideal for beginners or those who don't want to fuss with the sails. The jib can be easily raised or lowered from the cockpit, and there's no need to go forward to the bow to adjust it.

The hull is made of fiberglass, and the deck is made of marine-grade plywood. The boat has a length of 18.75 ft, a beam of 7.5 ft, and a draft of 0.5 feet. It has a displacement of 1225 lbs and a sail area of 145 sq ft.

The hard chines of the hull mean that the boat is slower to heal in a breeze, but this also makes it more stable and forgiving. And while the Potter 19 may not be the fastest sailboat on the water, it's still able to reach speeds of up to 6 knots. The one disadvantage of sailing on this boat is that it thumps its nearly flat hull when entering waves or the wakes of other boats.

With a genoa, the boat may heel excessively with the wind over 12 knots under full sail, but it can still be sailed in winds up to 15 knots. The jib is very effective in light air, and the boat can be sailed comfortably with winds as low as 5 knots.

The Potter 19 sailboat is an excellent choice for those who want a fast, responsive boat that can handle various conditions. It has a sleek hull design that easily cuts through the water, and the ballasted fin keel ensures good stability even in rough seas. The boat also comes with a comprehensive set of sailing instructions, so you can get up and running quickly.

The Potter 19 sailboat is fast and agile, making it perfect for sailing in tight quarters or along the coastline. It has a well-balanced hull that provides good stability, and the ballasted fin keel ensures that it tracks well in open water. Thanks to its flared bow and hard chine, the boat also handles choppy seas and windy conditions well.

The West Wight Potter 19 is an excellent value for the price. It's a high-quality sailboat that's built to last, and it comes with a variety of standard features that are typically found on more expensive boats. It's also easy to sail and trailer-launch, making it a great option for novice sailors or those who don't have much sailing experience.

Overall, the West Wight Potter 19 sailboat is an excellent option for those who are looking for an affordable and easy-to-use sailing boat. It's perfect for both beginners and experienced sailors and can be sailed in various settings. The Potter 19 is made from durable materials that can withstand even the harshest conditions. It also comes with all the necessary rigging and accessories to get you out on the water as soon as possible.

Price: $5000-$25000 (Depending on features)
Length: 18.75 ft
Draft: 3.58 ft
Displacement: 1225 lbs
Very responsive
Can handle various conditions
Comes with many standard features
Easily trailerable
Hull may thump in waves or wakes
May heel excessively with the wind over 12 knots under full sail.

5. Cape Dory 28

The Cape Dory 28 is a popular choice for sailors looking for a reliable and affordable boat. This model is known for its simple design and easy-to-use features, making it ideal for beginners and experienced sailors alike. The Cape Dory 28 is also praised for its durability, as it is built to last through many years of use.

The Cape Dory 28 was designed by world-renowned designer Carl Alberg. The Cape Dory 28 shares many of the same features as the Triton, including a comfortable interior layout and a simple rig. The boat was first introduced in 1984 and has been a popular choice among sailors ever since.

The Cape Dory 28 is available in sloop and cutter configurations, allowing sailors to choose the rig that best suits their needs. The sloop configuration is ideal for cruising and racing, while the cutter configuration is perfect for coastal sailing and weekend getaways. No matter which configuration you choose, the Cape Dory 28 will provide you with hours of enjoyment on the water.

The Cape Dory 28 is typically equipped with a mainsail, jib, and spinnaker. The boat can also be fitted with a furling genoa for easier sailing. It features a "full keel," which makes it very stable in the water and handles choppy conditions well.

While the Cape Dory 28 does not have all the bells and whistles of some of the more expensive models on the market, it still offers everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable sailing experience. The cabin is spacious and well-appointed, with plenty of storage space for your belongings. The cockpit is also large enough to accommodate several people, making it perfect for a day out on the water with your friends or family.

Fiberglass laminates are used throughout the hull construction of the Cape Dory 28, ensuring that your boat will withstand even the harshest weather conditions. And if you ever need to make repairs, the simple design of this sailboat makes it easy to do so. The foredeck is large enough to store your sails and other gear, and the mast is easy to raise and lower. The Cape Dory 28 also comes with a self-tailing winch, making it easier to operate.

The core of the deck is made from plywood or balsa, which is then covered with fiberglass. This provides a strong and durable surface that is also easy to maintain. The hull is designed to provide good stability and handling, perfect for beginners and experienced sailors.

The aft section of the cabin has a v-berth forward followed by a port head. There is also a settee that can be converted to a double berth. The galley is well-equipped with a sink, stove, and refrigerator, and there is plenty of room for food and drinks. The Cape Dory 28 is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a durable, easy-to-use sailboat that won't break the bank.

The galley is aft to the port side and features a two-burner stove, icebox, and stainless-steel sink. The V-berth is located in the bow of the boat and can comfortably sleep two people. The Cape Dory 28 also has a self-tailing winch, making it easy to operate.

The Cape Dory 28 is a great choice for sailors who are looking for a small but sturdy and reliable sailboat. The main issue with the Cape Dory 28 is the deterioration of fuel tanks, so it is important to have them inspected regularly and replaced if necessary. Additionally, the stern tubes and rudder bearings should be inspected and replaced as needed.

The majority of Cape Dory 28s come with welded aluminum tanks mounted on a plywood base and supported by wooden cleats around the bottom of the tank. When wood comes in direct contact with aluminum, it causes pitting and corrosion. As a result, it is important to have your fuel tanks inspected regularly and replaced if necessary.

The Cape Dory 28 is a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable and durable sailboat. This model is known for its simple design and easy-to-use features, making it ideal for beginners and experienced sailors alike. Additionally, the Cape Dory 28 is praised for its durability, as it is built to last through many years of use. If you are in the market for a new sailboat, the Cape Dory 28 should definitely be at the top of your list.

Price: $25000
Length: 28 ft
Draft: 4 ft
Displacement: 9000 lbs
Water Capacity: 60 gal
Fuel Capacity: 32 gal
Excellent value for money
Timeless design
Easy to use
Great for beginners and experienced sailors alike
Decent fuel capacity
Fuel tanks may deteriorate over time
Stern tubes and rudder bearings may need to be replaced periodically

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Yachting Monthly

Digital edition

Singlehanded sailing for the first time

Toby Heppell
August 31, 2020

Toby Heppell looks at the art of singlehanded sailing and considers what constitutes good seamanship when it’s only you on board

Sailing alone gives you freedom to set off when you want, but requires a different approach. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

Singlehanded sailing is often something we associate with feats of adventure and endurance, bringing forward ideas of the lone sailor heading off across oceans.

Setting off on a significant offshore voyage on your own is a truly specialist activity.

You are likely to experience sleep deprivation, the stresses of being alone for long periods of time and the possibility of facing inclement weather by yourself.

That may well not be for all of us.

Editor Theo Stocker headed out on his Sadler 29 to put the advice into practice. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

But closer to home, many of us are likely to go singlehanded sailing – be it regularly or just the odd occasion, a short coastal trip or a longer voyage, or when a crew member is laid low by seasickness or other ailment.

You might end up without a crew and face the choice of leaving the boat in a distant port or taking a fair wind home alone.

You may be a couple sailing with a young child that needs constant attention, leaving the skipper to handle the boat alone.

Understanding the skills and kit necessary to successfully and safely sail by yourself is, if not an essential skill, certainly a useful string to the bow.

Freedom and responsibility of singlehanded sailing

‘Sailing solo there is the dependence on oneself that is really appealing,’ say Mervyn Wheatley, veteran of many solo ocean races and trips.

Toby Heppell got his first boat aged four and grew up sailing on the East Coast. He has been a sailing journalist for over 15 years. Credit: Richard Langdon

‘A great deal of that appeal is that you know if something goes wrong then you are going to have to sort it out yourself.

As a solo skipper, you are master of your own destiny, entirely free to run the boat exactly as you wish.

With that comes total responsibility for everything on board: food, maintenance, sail choice, pilotage – it’s all up to you.

‘There’s an unmistakable excitement in slipping the lines and knowing that success or failure is entirely down to your resourcefulness and seamanship,’ says Wheatley.

‘Completing a solo passage satisfies like nothing else. But with that responsibility comes a significant reliance on making sure everything onboard and yourself are up to the challenge.’

In this article, I’m going to look at the various aspects you should consider to make sure you’re ready for solo coastal daysails, rather than long-distance offshore singlehanded sailing, when considerations around sleep management become more vital.

Is your boat up to singlehanded sailing?

Though the recent trend has been for ever-bigger boats, you need to be fairly agile to singlehand a boat much over 35ft, or have invested some serious money into automation.

Typically at about 35ft you are reaching the point where sail size is a big factor in terms of managing reefing and winching.

Setting up your boat so that you have to leave the helm as little as possible is important.

If you do have to leave the helm when sailing, doing so on starboard tack, keeping a good lookout and setting an autopilot will keep you in control.

A singlehanded sailor clipper on to his yacht

Clip on: Make sure your jackstays are in good condition, and let you work on deck effectively. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

A furling headsail saves foredeck work and in-mast or in-boom furling makes mainsail reefing simpler, and the slight loss of performance may not be important to you.

A slab-reefed main can take longer to reef but lines led aft make it easier.

Crucially, if you drop it as you are coming in to harbour, the main will block your vision forward unless you have lazy jacks.

Fortunately, these are easy to add if you don’t have them already, and a stack-pack sail bag makes stowing the sail even easier.

Leaving the cockpit for any reason is among the highest risks for solo sailors, particularly as handling sails at the start and end of your passage is likely to be close to harbour with more traffic around.

Lines aft: Leading lines aft helps avoid trips forward out of the cockpit. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

Leading lines back to the cockpit will make life easier, with the caveat that any friction points, particularly in single-line reefing systems, need addressing.

Taking the main halyard back to the cockpit at the very least is a must.

When it comes to mooring by yourself, ‘midships cleats are often underrated and underused, but they are invaluable,’ says ex-Navy navigator and cruising author Andy du Port.

‘With only two of us on board, we have become adept at lassoing pontoon cleats from amidships and hauling in reasonably firmly before the boat has a chance to start drifting off.’

In terms of safety, eliminating risk of going overboard is key and staying clipped on is a good way to do that.

Make sure your jackstays can be reached from inside the cockpit, and let you get to the mast or other working areas on deck.

Webbing rather than wire won’t roll underfoot.

Sensible cockpit strong points should let you move from helm to winches, halyards, instruments, and companionway without unclipping.

Optimal cockpit layout for singlehanded sailing

Whether you have a wheel or tiller, the layout of the cockpit is important as to whether it works well for singlehanded sailing.

It is worth noting, however, that a tiller can be slotted between your legs when hoisting sails or handling lines.

The ability to see a chartplotter on deck is important, as you will need to do much of your navigation from the helm and modern chart plotters make this easier.

Particularly in coastal waters, you will want to spend as little time as possible down below at the chart table so you can keep a proper lookout.

Navigation equipment fitted on the deck of a Sadler 29

Navigation: A setup that works on deck reduces time spent below. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

Effective self-steering is essential for singlehanded sailing.

An autopilot is excellent under power as the engine keeps the batteries topped up but under sail, if you haven’t trimmed correctly for a neutral helm, the autopilot has to work hard and will draw more power.

Modern units draw 2-3A but older models can draw double that.

For this reason, an easily visible battery monitor will help.

Some autopilots include a remote control you can wear on your wrist or on a lanyard to alter course.

For smaller boats or longer passages, a windvane is effective on every point of sail and draws no power.

A midships cleat on the deck of a Sadler 29

Midships: A midships cleat is a big help if you don’t have crew to help. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

However, they are vulnerable in port, and struggle under motor as prop wash confuses the servo blade.

‘If I am in coastal waters then I use an autopilot as it’s easier,’ says Wheatley.

‘If I’m nipping across the Channel then I know I can plug into the mains on the other side. I use a windvane on ocean passages.’

Ensure essentials such as handbearing compass, sunscreen and water are in place before you slip lines. Finally, get to know your boat well. A refresher on the key parts of each of your main systems might be a good idea before a singlehanded passage.

Physical limitations

Singlehanded sailing requires a reasonable level of physical fitness.

Every manoeuvre is slower and more arduous when sailing alone, so you’ll need the endurance to handle longer passages.

It’s really easy to become dehydrated, so keep a bottle of water in the cockpit, preferably in a pocket along with a few biscuits to keep your energy up and help you deal with tiredness.

Yachting Monthly editor Theo Stocker helming a Sadler 29

The demands of helming, sail handling, manoeuvring, navigation and other tasks on board while singlehanded sailing should not be underestimated. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

‘If you’re feeling a bit tired to begin with, if you’re going to sail a long way that is only going to get worse and will probably guarantee seasickness,’ explains ocean sailing legend, Pete Goss.

‘Sometimes if you just take it a bit easy at the start of a longer passage that makes things easier for the rest of the trip.

‘Plan to only go a short distance before possibly anchoring up for some hours, to make sure you get some rest and you have properly got your sea legs.

‘That can be the difference between a great solo passage and a terrible one where you are tired and sick from the off.

‘No-one functions well in that sort of condition.’

A skipper lighting a gas cooker on a boat to make a cup of tea

Nutrition: Keep yourself rested and fuelled. Heave to and put the kettle on for a break. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

‘Eating is a really important thing to focus on too,’ says record breaking skipper Dee Caffari.

‘It is really just getting the balance right and realising the effect hunger has on your body and mind.

‘I did a lot of work with sports psychologists before doing big races to understand myself a lot more.

‘Much of it was focused on understanding when I am tired and when I am hungry.

‘There are moments now when I realise I just need to eat and take a 10-minute break, and then I am a totally different person.

‘Clearly not everyone has access to a psychologist, but taking the time to notice the signs of sleep deprivation and hunger and what they mean in terms of how you function is crucial.’

Solo safety

Singlehanded sailing should be approached much like sailing at night in terms of safety.

You want everything you might need ready to hand, and to take a much more cautious approach.

A solo skipper navigating in the cockpit with a paper chart

Make sure you can navigate from the cockpit, whether on a plotter or paper chart in a plastic wallet. Time below is time not keeping a look out. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

Going overboard is not a good idea at the best of times and becomes even more serious when solo.

Everything should be done to minimise this risk.

While much of this is a matter of attitude, and planning each manoeuvre to predict the main dangers, having the right equipment in the right place will also help.

Navigation and communication

Being able to manage your boat, and all of the key navigation and safety systems from the cockpit is the key.

Think through your navigation and communications equipment.

A chart plotter and a VHF radio handset on deck will save the need to go below.

A mobile phone showing details of the SafeTrx app

Shore contact: Register your vessel details with the Coastguard on the SafeTrx app, then let a shore contact know your ETA. This can also be done with the app. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

Should you need to make a distress call, having a radio that is set up with a DSC button will make things easier.

Modern handheld VHF radios are capable of this, as are command microphones for fixed VHF sets, which also have the advantage of a longer range.

It is worth having binoculars, flares, and a grab bag easily to hand too.

AIS and radar

Making your boat more visible to others will help make up some of the potential shortfall of only having one set of eyes to keep lookout.

A properly working AIS unit, radar reflector, and potentially a radar enhancer and alarm, will help alert you to approaching vessels and you to them.

On board equipment

Though they are key bits of safety kit on any yacht, the lifebelt and danbuoy aren’t so important for singlehanded sailing, as there will be no-one left to throw them after you if you did go overboard.

But the rest of the boat’s standard equipment should be located, inspected and brought up to spec before a solo passage if they aren’t already.

These include the liferaft, fire extinguishers, bilge pump, flares, first aid kit and so on.

Man overboard

Falling overboard, serious enough with a fully-crewed boat, becomes even more unpalatable solo.

Everything should be done to avoid this possibility.

Clearly, a mindset that is consistently aware of the risk is your biggest asset, and will help you avoid doing things that could leave you exposed.

MOB: You’re most likely to fall overboard when mooring. Make sure your bathing ladder can be operated from the water or rig an emergency one. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

Keeping clipped can serve as a reminder of this, and goes some way to keeping you connected to the boat, though being overboard on the end of the tether may be little better than being overboard without one.

‘I do wear a tether often,’ says Wheatley.

‘But the thing to remember about going over the side is that a tether does keep you there, but if you go over by yourself and you are tethered on, then you are not going to get back onboard.

‘However, it is much easier to find a boat than a body so I take the view that I wear one to make it easier for my family should I go over.’

Emergency ladder

Often the biggest risk of going overboard for a singlehander is actually in harbour.

Picking up the mooring buoy, or even stepping across from pontoon to boat has often led to an unexpected dunking.

This can rapidly become serious if you are wearing heavy clothing or the water is anything less than balmy, and do not have an easy means of climbing out.

For this reason many solo sailors carry an emergency ladder with a line that can be reached from the water.

In this scenario, a lifejacket will help you float during the initial phase of cold shock, and should therefore be worn, not just when things start to get ‘a bit lively’ out at sea.

Modern lifejackets are far more impressive than their early counterparts.

Lightweight, slimline, and comfortable to wear, the hood helps prevent secondary drowning and the bright colour and light makes it easier to locate you by day and night.

Crucially, technology has moved on so that it is possible to carry AIS and satellite distress beacons in or on the lifejacket.

Along with a VHF radio in your pocket, this is likely to be your only chance of calling for help at sea should the worst happen.

It should therefore be a serious consideration for anyone sailing solo, however far they venture.

Passage plan

As a solo sailor, it is a good idea to have a shore contact who you keep updated with your plans and your estimated time of arrival, and who knows to call the Coastguard with the details of your boat if you become overdue.

A grab bag and other gear on the deck of a Sadler 29

Cockpit kit: Gear close to hand should include binoculars, compass, knife and PLB, as well as grab bag, food and drink. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

This can be supplemented by having your details up to date on the RYA SafeTrx app , which the Coastguard now uses as its leisure vessel registry, as well as being an active passage-tracking tool.

Even if the alarm is raised, hopefully a phone or VHF radio call will quickly establish all is well.

Tangled ropes

It’s easy for piles of rope to mount up when there’s no second pair of hands to help.

Keep up with tidying lines away, so you don’t end up with a tangled mess that could jam just when you need a halyard to run free.

With a little patience, singlehanded sailing is rarely more difficult than sailing two- or three-up for the experienced skipper.

Manoeuvres take longer to complete and you are likely to spend more time in the cockpit than you otherwise might, but your approach to most situations will be broadly the same.

Where things can get tricky is in slipping the lines and mooring.

A solo skipper on a deck of his yacht preparing for departure

Springing the stern out is fine with crew, but springing the bow out means you can handle lines without leaving the cockpit. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

The latter being all the worse for coming at the end of your passage and so your decision making is likely to be impaired through weariness.

Slipping the lines is clearly much easier if the wind is blowing you off the pontoon.

Here your midships cleat will come in handy as you can get yourself tight to the pontoon with this and then drop the bow line, before heading back to remove the stern line and finally slipping the midships line.

Do remember to have plenty of fenders fore and aft as the boat may pivot around the midships cleat, depending on wind and tide direction.

A solo skipper steering his tiller yacht with his knees

Multi-tasking: Tiller boats can be steered with your knees while coiling lines, but don’t get distracted. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

As ever, the process for leaving a windward berth can be trickier.

It is easier to spring off the bow first as you have cockpit access to your sternline.

So this is your best option if there is little to no tide, or the tide is coming from ahead.

If there is no tide running and the wind is blowing to onto your pontoon, then you will probably need to motor astern with the stern line firm to help bring the bow out.

Midships cleat: If you can get a midships line on, it will hold the boat to the pontoon while you sort the other lines. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

Once it moves clear of the pontoon you can motor ahead as you slip the sternline.

With the tide from astern, use a slipped bow spring.

With sufficient tide the engine does not have to be engaged; simply slip all the lines bar the bow spring, go to the foredeck, watch the stern come away from the pontoon, slip the spring and return to the cockpit.

Once you are in open water, set the engine slow ahead and engage the autopilot while you recover lines and fenders.

Lines can be coiled and fenders tidied away in the cockpit.

On the water

Before taking on any planned singlehanded sailing, your boat handling should be up to scratch, but even the best sailors will find their skills improving quickly from a bit of time on the water alone.

Thinking through manoeuvring into and out of marinas berths and moorings, and then practising this a few times can take away some of the stress of a solo trip.

Heaving to: Lash the helm and back the jib to give yourself a break, but get the boat balanced first. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

At sea you need to be able to heave-to or stop comfortably, as this will give you time to boil the kettle, tend to any problems, or even have a quick break.

Manoeuvres such as tacking or reefing can also be rehearsed: which lines are eased or hauled in first, and when to put the helm down will be particular to your boat, but can be practised.

Once you’re at sea, it is worth keeping manoeuvres to a minimum when possible, as they take time and energy, and incur an element of risk.

As beating will involve a heeled boat and some tacking, it is, by its very nature, the toughest point of sail.

Self-steering

Vane steering systems or an autopilot that can adjust the course to the wind shifts, will keep the boat steering effectively.

Some newer autopilots also have tacking and gybing functions, leaving you free to concentrate on trimming the sails.

An autopilot or self-steering is vital. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

An autopilot remote is also an option, giving you access to control from anywhere on the boat (usually worn on the wrist).

It’s also worth spending time on your passage planning and general theory.

Going below for five minutes to check when the tide turns or to find out what a specific light means will be five minutes that you’re not on deck keeping a lookout.

When coming in to harbour, start the engine relatively far out from your destination to give you time to douse sail and prepare yourself.

Lazyjacks prevent a dropped mainsail blowing off the boom and restricting visibility forward.

Rig your fenders and lines in open water where you have space to drift or motor slowly under autopilot.

If you do not yet know where you will be going it is well worth fendering port and starboard with stern and midships lines on both sides.

A Sadler 29 rigged with fenders entering Lymington harbour

Rig fenders and lines once you’re out of the waves, but before you enter confined waters. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

Most marinas will send someone to help you if you radio ahead and let them know that you are on your own, or others on the pontoon will normally be happy to catch a line, but you should be prepared to do things alone if needed.

Coming alongside a pontoon, the midships line is critical.

Position the tail so that it is easily picked up when you move forward from the helm.

Prepare bow and stern lines and bring the ends amidships so you can reach them from the pontoon.

A Sadler 29 coming alongside a pontoon in Lymington

Boat handling: Without someone to take the lines ashore, being able to get your boat stopped where you want it makes life much easier. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

Stop the boat dead with your midships cleat as close as possible to your selected pontoon cleat, and throw a lasso of rope over it – a skill well worth practising.

Sweat the line to bring the boat as close as you can.

You are then secure and have more time to take bow and stern lines across and adjust your position.

You can also use the midships line as a spring.

A skipper wearing a lifejacket throwing a line from a yacht

Stern line: Throw a coil of line from each hand to lasso a cleat at the stern. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

Once the line is made off, put the engine ahead with the helm towards the pontoon.

This will hold the boat snug alongside while you sort the other lines.

Lazy jacks: When dropping the main, lazyjacks help prevent the sail blocking the view and let you delay a trip on deck. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

This is harder if the wind is blowing off the pontoon; your boat handling has to be positive and accurate.

If coming alongside isn’t working, getting a line onto a cleat from the bow or stern will get you secure and give you time to warp the boat in.

A solo skipper putting on a midships line

Which line first? If the wind is offshore, the midships line is useful to get on first. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

If you don’t fancy it, consider picking up a swinging mooring or dropping the anchor until help is available or the conditions change.

The key to mooring alone is to be ready beforehand, in open water, and to have planned what order you will do things in.

Midships spring: Helm to the pontoon and forward gear will hold you alongside. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

This can be practised while you have crew by getting the boat to stop in her berth without relying on lines to take the boat’s way off.

It looks much better too!

Don’t get overpowered

Managing the amount of sail you have set before you become overpowered is more important when you are singlehanded sailing as it takes longer to reduce sail and you will have no extra pairs of hands if things get exciting.

If you know it’s going to be a windy sail, reef before you leave your mooring.

If you have a ramshorn for the tack reefing point, you may need a small piece of bungee to hold the cringle in place until you have hoisted the sail.

Reef earlier than you would with crew. It’ll save energy, reduce risk and reflect a more conservative approach. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

If you are already out on the water, reef early, before the wind increases too much.

Be conservative with how early you reef.

Before you tackle reefing the mainsail, furl away some of the headsail.

This will slow the boat, making the motion easier and reducing heel, so making reefing the main easier.

Having a more heavily reefed main, and using the genoa to fine-tune the sailing area with the furling line also makes changing gears singlehanded less arduous and avoids trips on deck before needing to shake out or take in the next reef.

A singlehanded sail clipped on to his yacht via a harness

Going forward to the mast, make sure you are clipped on. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

‘For short-handed crews, mainsails need to be quick to drop in an emergency and require no feeding when hoisting, to avoid unnecessary trips out of the cockpit,’ says Pip Hare .

‘Avoid using a main with a bolt rope, because when the sail is dropped it will not remain captive at the mast and can quickly become uncontrollable.’

Downwind, keeping the rig under control requires some forethought.

A main boom preventer should be used if you’re sailing deep downwind, but is precarious to rig at sea, so have this ready before you set off, or even rig one on each side.

Most singlehanders are likely to be reluctant to set coloured sails off the wind in all but the best conditions and using a headsail, poled out, is more likely.

Keep rope tails tidy when singlehanded sailing to prevent a dangerous tangle in the cockpit. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

To set your poled-out headsail, begin by furling it away while you ready a pole on the windward side with uphaul, downhaul and guy.

This will give you full control of the sail from the cockpit.

Once you are set up it is simply a case of unfurling the sail and trimming from the helm.

It’s an easy and easily manageable solution and can be furled away without dropping the pole.

Yellow bungee holding a sail in place on a yacht

If your reefing system has ramshorns, a piece of bungee can hold it in place while you go aft. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

It will be easiest to furl the sail before you gybe, then attend to changing over the pole before again unfurling.

Setting a spinnaker or cruising chute is a more long-winded process solo so should only be taken on if you have a long leg ahead of you and you are sailing in relatively traffic-free waters.

A cruising chute is simpler to set up than a spinnaker.

Rigging can be done with the headsail furled and hoisted in its snuffer.

You’ll probably need to be on the foredeck to raise the snuffer, so make sure you are secure before doing so.

Continues below…

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Set the boat on a course deep downwind until you can get back to the cockpit to trim the sail.

Hoisting a spinnaker takes more planning and more time both to set and douse.

For gybing either of them, you would be best to snuff or drop the sail and reset on the new side.

Singlehanded sailing checklist

Boat well maintained with all known faults rectified
Sail handling arrangement set up with lines back to cockpit if possible
Autopilot or self-steering set up, calibrated and working, with remote if available
Hove-to practised and balanced sail plan checked
Furling headsail and mainsail lazyjacks set up and working
Enough fenders and mooring lines to rig both sides, and means of getting midships line onto a pontoon cleat
Confident you can handle the boat for the given forecast
Practised mooring, manoeuvring and sail handling alone
Well rested ahead of passage
Food and drink prepared in advance and available on deck
Familiar with boat’s key systems and how to troubleshoot each of them
Short passages and daysailing in coastal waters are better
Avoid overnight passages initially
Full passage plan completed with necessary notes available on deck
Passage plan and ETA shared with shore contact, coastguard or RYA SafeTrx app
Boat details registered on RYA SafeTrx app or website

Safety and kit

Adopt conservative approach to risk and safety
VHF radio on deck
Chartplotter or paper chart on deck
Wearing lifejacket at all times, particularly start and end of passage recommended
Carry personal safety equipment, including VHF, knife, torch, and PLB or AIS beacon
Jackstays rigged, tether clipped on
Emergency ladder in reach from water
Have easily available: wet weather gear, binoculars, handbearing compass, knife, sunscreen, snacks, and water.

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Solo Sailing: Best Boats for Single-Handed Sailing

Aug 22, 2023

less than a min

Best Boats for Single-Handed Sailing

Embarking on a solo sailing adventure requires not only skill and preparation, but also the right vessel. Not all sailboats are equal when it comes to handling them single-handedly. Below, we'll explore some of the best options for single-handed sailing boats, focusing on their unique characteristics, strengths, and why they might be the perfect choice for your next solo voyage.

Engineered with meticulous precision, the Hanse 458 is an embodiment of masterful German craftsmanship, showcasing an optimal blend of performance and comfort. This sailboat's key advantage is its self-tacking jib and a fully automated sail handling system that enables smooth sailing single-handedly. The incorporation of a performance-oriented hull, large sail area, and unique rigging designs contribute to its excellent speed and agility. The Hanse 458's high degree of automation and efficient layout reduce the physical demands and decision-making load on the solo sailor, making it a well-suited companion for solo sailing adventures.

The Dufour 430 is a French sailboat designed with versatility and performance in mind. It has been acclaimed by many single-hand sailors due to its impressive balance of cruising comfort and easy handling. The vessel is equipped with a self-tacking jib and an intuitively positioned control panel in the cockpit for hassle-free manoeuvring and sailing. The spacious and luxurious interior design of the Dufour 430 ensures a comfortable stay onboard, making it ideal for extended solo voyages. Safety, seaworthiness, and a sense of freedom on the water make this French-built sailboat a top choice among single-handed sailors.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410

Emerging from the drawing boards of the reputed French yacht manufacturer Jeanneau, the Sun Odyssey 410 is a fine blend of innovation and simplicity. With features such as a walk-around deck and the award-winning inclined side decks, it brings an unprecedented level of convenience for solo sailors. Its balanced sail plan and hull shape, which capitalises on the latest advancements in naval architecture, ensure the vessel remains stable and easy to handle in varying conditions. These characteristics, combined with an ergonomic cockpit layout and a comprehensive set of navigational tools, make single-handed sailing on the Sun Odyssey 410 a joy rather than a challenge.

Beneteau Oceanis 40.1

The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1, hailing from another celebrated French manufacturer, Beneteau, is designed for comfort, speed, and ease of handling. Its unique flared hull design significantly increases the interior space without compromising on performance. The yacht's rigging, centralised sail handling system, and an optional self-tacking jib make for straightforward single-handed sailing. Moreover, the spacious cockpit, equipped with dual helms, enhances manoeuvrability and vision, essential attributes for those sailing alone.

Built by the Slovenian shipyard Elan, the E6 model is an epitome of high-performance sailing and comfort. The use of Vacuum Assisted Infusion Lamination technology results in a strong, lightweight structure contributing to superior sailing efficiency and speed. The boat's deck layout is designed with single-handed sailing in mind, with all sail controls led back to the cockpit. The twin-wheel setup and a balanced rudder ensure precise steering in various sea conditions.

The Dehler 29, manufactured by the esteemed German brand Dehler, is a compact yet robust sailing yacht. Despite its relatively small size, it's equipped with an impressive set of features that facilitate solo sailing. Its fractional rig and self-tacking jib provide excellent performance and ease of handling. A meticulously designed cockpit and easily reachable sail controls further enhance the single-handed sailing experience. Moreover, its smart interior design makes efficient use of space, ensuring a comfortable stay onboard.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is a modern performance cruiser that does not compromise on comfort and ease of handling. Its generous sail plan and balanced hull shape ensure fast passages, while the twin helm positions and all lines led aft to the cockpit allow for efficient single-handed control. The high-quality interior, filled with an abundance of natural light, provides a comfortable living space during long solo voyages.

The Oyster 565, produced by the prestigious British manufacturer Oyster Yachts, is an epitome of luxury and performance. Designed for blue-water cruising, it incorporates several features that make single-handed sailing possible. The boat's centre cockpit design, combined with in-mast furling and powered winches, ensures all controls are close at hand and easy to operate. The strong, seaworthy build of the Oyster 565 offers peace of mind for solo sailors when faced with challenging sea conditions.

Each of these boats has unique features that make them suitable for single-handed sailing. However, regardless of the boat you choose, good seamanship and a proper understanding of the boat's handling characteristics are crucial for a safe and enjoyable solo sailing experience. For those interested in exploring other options, our comprehensive boat database at TheBoatDB offers more selections from these boat manufacturers and other brands known for their high-quality sailboats.

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Better Sailing

Single-Handed Sailing: A Complete Guide With Tips

During our last summer holiday, my wife had to go to work for a few days by surprise. So I was alone on board and had the choice between staying in the harbor or going out alone. The choice was clear – out alone. That’s why I started searching for some Single-Handed Sailing Tips.

Single-handed sailing! But what do you have to consider? Internet research revealed surprisingly little information about a Single-Handed Sailing Guide. Whether single-handed sailors are taciturn people? Of course, I read the little I found and decided to give it a try. After having sailed on a dinghy on the Alster in Hamburg on several occasions before, I thought it couldn’t be that difficult. It isn’t, but there are some things to consider, and I would like to share that with you.

What is Single-Handed Sailing?

Single-handed or one-handed sailing means to sail a sailboat or a sailing yacht all by yourself. Derived from the English “hand” for crew member (see: “all hands on deck”, “single-handed”)

Who Should Be Able To sail Single-Handed?

You can always get into a situation where your partner or team on board fails. Seasickness, accident, MOB. That’s why I think: Everyone should be able to sail single-handed.

What Qualifications Do I Need?

You should be confident in every situation and every maneuver on the sailboat. You should also feel ready for one-handed sailing.

That means you should be able to master the common maneuvers safely. You have already sailed all courses and have experience with different winds, wind forces, and weather conditions. More than that, you are familiar with the boat, you know all the halyards, ropes and fittings and you can get the boat ready to sail on your own. You are familiar with setting and hoisting the sails and mooring and clearing after sailing.

That means you are a safe sailor, a safe sailor! Are you? All right, let’s transfer the whole thing to one-handed sailing.

How Do I Learn to Sail Single-Handed?

Well, you can sail safely, but you’ve never sailed alone? Never mind!

I suggest the following steps to get you started with single-handed sailing:

Sail together with a partner, but you do all maneuvers alone.
If you are not sure afterwards: Sail one-handed and ask a second boat with friends to accompany you. It should stay close to you and be there when you need it. You won’t need it, but the moral support might be important.
Alternative: Sail with the mainsail only, like on the laser
You feel safe: Then you are ready and can plan your first trip one-handed.

Which of the steps you do or need to take depends entirely on your assessment. After sailing school, I sailed with a partner one-handed, like under 1. This was rather playful because my “jib monkey” didn’t feel like it. Did I get the one-handed sailing virus then?

Sail First With a Partner Single-Handed

So the easiest way to start is to start on a familiar boat, in the usual place (because of the mooring and departure) with your sailing partner and find a day with little wind and good weather. You will normally start – with one difference. Your partner is only a spectator today and should only – and only then – help you if you ask him to. It is best to arrange this beforehand.

Why? You should do everything alone today. He or she should not interfere with you, no matter what – pull the boat at the jetty, set the sails, operate the jib, clear the sails, and so on – you alone today.

All alone! Your partner, your sailing partner, is on board, that gives you security. And you will see: you will not need him or her! And when you’re back: the mainsail will also be rigged up alone and the jib folded. You will be amazed: this will bring you many new insights and a lot of safety in sailing!

If that was good, you can think about sailing with one hand. I myself stood one morning at the jetty with little wind and knew – now it’s time.

Which Boat Do I Need For Single-Handed Sailing?

Do i need a special boat.

No, a special boat is not necessary – if you sail on a dinghy. However, I recommend a good-natured, easy to sail dinghy for a start, not a gliding dinghy or a racer. Nothing tippy or bitchy! Of course, this also applies to the yacht. With a yacht, there is something more to consider, here certain equipment already offers itself. Normally, modern yachts already have this equipment on board. More on this below.

In my explanations, I assume a “first strike” alone, thus in sight and/or call range to the shore. You want to make this stroke for practice.

In any case, I recommend you – from small to big – means: Start one hand on the dinghy. It is easy and direct to steer and can be moved easily by hand or with a paddle.

The advantage of the dinghy is that it is simply but sensibly equipped, and you can operate everything well by yourself. You don’t need any additional equipment as long as you can hoist both sails from the cockpit and operate everything. Normally this is the case, except for the jib. In case of need, you simply cast off the jib and let it blow out.

Of course: paddle and life jacket as well as bailer belong onboard or “to the man” – a matter of course.

Boat and Equipment for Single-Handed Sailing

In principle, the same applies to the yacht. The yacht should not be too big for the beginning. I recommend a size for the first stroke alone of no more than 27 or 28 feet. With this size, everything is easily accessible, and if necessary, you can still push the boat off the pole or the jetty if it is not a “steel steamer”.

In addition, ideally, everything can be operated from the cockpit (except for the anchor), which means that the following is available and you are completely (!) familiar with the operation:

Engine – helps with casting off and mooring, maneuvers, lulls or (hopefully not necessary) in emergencies
Furling jib, furling genoa – allows setting, recovery, and reefing from the cockpit
Mainsail recovery system (lazy jacks, lazy bag, furling mainsail) – allows operation from the cockpit
Single line reefing stanchion on the main – operated from the cockpit.
Deflected halyards and all trimming devices accessible from the cockpit
The main sheet can be operated from the rudder while seated (yes, there are exceptions, e.g., on the cabin roof)
Tiller pilot or autopilot – indispensable help when setting and recovering sails, seasickness, fatigue, and of course, when going to the toilet.
Extended ropes – to be able to pick you up outside the cockpit or in stronger winds or waves at the latest. Personally, I recommend that you always pick yourself when you are alone on the yacht. Why do you find out later or in the video?

Sounds a lot and complicated? Well, you will be alone on board, and you will probably be surprised by gusts or a thunderstorm even at your first stroke. Then you are outside and alone – and no one can help you. So: “Keep it simple”. These are things for your safety for your life.

If the yacht is older – like our Dehler Optima 830 from 1971, the traps are often not redirected, and no reef or recovery system is available. This can be done if necessary but is a clear loss of safety, as you can see in the video. Only you alone can judge whether you want to take the risk. I can not recommend this for the beginning in any case.

I saw it a bit fatalistically, but after the single-handed stroke, lazy jacks and a single line reefing system are now on the to-do list. And the next time I will also tension the lines at 3 Bft before casting off…

In addition to the usual things like first aid material, sea rescue equipment, compass, and up-to-date maps, etc. there should be at least one radio on board. If you are traveling for a longer period of time, a life raft is recommended in addition to the chart plotter.

Now we have almost everything together. No, the most important things are still missing:

As always, safety on board is the most important thing, which means first of all that you have carefully prepared and planned your strike. Checked the weather forecast, got a picture of the situation, and assessed it for yourself (!), told friends or family, and arranged a time for return.

You should always have the following.

automatic lifejacket
Lifeline – pickled, of course, otherwise it doesn’t help much 😉
Epirb, if available
Mobile phone with navigation software, waterproof packed (possibly calls for help and backup for Navi and second GPS)

Personal Preparation

Alone = no help.

You will be on your own, and you will have to manage everything alone, no matter what happens. Therefore, always assess your personal safety first and consider the possible consequences.

Think about it and assess the situation objectively and according to your personal abilities. It will, and it can go wrong. Even if this happens, you must be able to master things alone. Therefore, prepare yourself for the fact that it will not go smoothly. Before every maneuver and before every action.

For instance, we don’t have any Lazy Jacks yet. The big one therefore needs time and extensive towing if it has to go down in a storm. And this then logically in strong winds and waves. In addition, we have the mainsail and winch on the mast. So the first question for me was always: How does the weather develop? If I set the mainsail now, can I later safely reef or salvage it on my own?

Besides, we haven’t had a mast groove stopper yet. It prevents the mainsail from slipping out of the mast groove. Because I didn’t have it, I secured the mainsail with a rope tied around the mast.

Unfortunately, I forgot the rope two or three times. When I was hoisting the mainsail, it slipped out of the mast groove, formed a wind sack, and I could hardly control it anymore – especially in strong winds. Of course, I only noticed this when two or three slides had already slipped out of the mast, and the wind had reached into it. Sure, now we have a groove stopper.

You can see how quickly small mistakes can turn into bigger problems.

Alone = One After the Other

And sailing alone also means to do the things that you have been doing as a couple so far, one after the other. Can you handle both sails at the same time when turning? Probably not. So you will operate the main and jib one after the other. But in what order? My tip: Operate the mainsail first and then the jib. That means you go “through the wind” first, the jib is back, then you bring the jib forward.

Alone = No Mistakes

So, think ahead, be calm and deliberate. Reduce stress and failure to a minimum by careful and early preparation. Anyway – a lot of things will go wrong. Stay calm and composed. Do things earlier than usual. Reef earlier, set sails, maneuver, and above all, prepare to moor earlier. You are alone and therefore need much more time. If possible, use the tiller pilot.

Take your time. It is better to do one or two more laps in the outer harbor. Choose your berth in the harbor more carefully than usual. Get help with mooring. A friendly, “I’m alone on board, can you take the lines, please?” usually works wonders. You are gladly helped! Nevertheless, mooring maneuvers are pure stress, even for old hands.

For this, read the two or three most important tricks for yard maneuvers. But that would go beyond the scope here.

Further Single-Handed Sailing Tips

By the way, there are great books for single-handed sailing, which also have many tips for single-handed sailing, read them and try out some things beforehand! I recommend “Stress-free sailing” by Duncan Wells. Richly illustrated, simply put, and good tips.

Order at your little bookstore around the corner, they will be happy to take your order by phone and will be happy to help you. And it’s probably easier for you to pick it up than somewhere else in the parcel shop.

Everything Okay so Far?

Well then: Have fun and good luck with your single-handed stroke! Of course, these hints are written from my personal experience. The application of the tips is – as always with sailing – at your own risk.

Do you have any other Single-Handed Sailing Tips? Write me a comment! Tell me how it went and which tips you still have!

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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My Cruiser Life Magazine

What are the Best Single-Handed Sailboats and Catamarans?

Single-handed boats aren’t just limited to solo travelers. Many cruising couples will tell you that it’s a good idea to have your boat rigged and ready to be sailed single-handed. Why? What if one person gets injured—or just seasick? If your usual crew complement is only two, it makes no sense—from a safety standpoint—to require them both to be “on duty” all the time.

Of course, there are times and situations when you’ll be headed out by yourself. Maybe you like to travel but lack a consistent crew. Or many you’d just rather not bother with a crew.

The good news is that most modern cruising boats can be modified and re-rigged to improve their single-handed abilities. It all comes down to picking the right boat and making the correct modifications. Here’s a look at some of the things you’ll want to consider and five great single-handed monohull and catamaran designs.

Goals for your boat, the under-rated importance of ease of single-handing, what does a single-hander need, types of autohelm, what does a single-hander want, single-handing rigging considerations, 5 great sailboats for single-handed cruisers, best single-handed sailing catamarans.

To find the perfect boat for you, whether solo or crewed sailing, is to make a list of goals and find the vessel that best meets them. There is no perfect boat. Furthermore, while you might be interested in solo sailing now, you might find yourself with a crew later on.

Start with the basics—why are you looking to single-hand your boat? Are you an adventure seeker looking to break records and find adventure with long-distance cruising? Thinking of entering a single-handed sailing race, like the Vendée Globe ?

Or are you just a solo sailor looking for a production boat that’s easy to operate by yourself? This is more common than you might imagine. Most cruising couples out there will readily admit that one member of the crew does very little to help during the actual act of sailing.

Even on two-person crews where both partners are capable, it’s often desirable for the boat to be equipped to be handled by just one person. What if one partner becomes incapacitated by seasickness—or worse, an injury? What if, even rarely, one person needs to move the boat while the other person is away?

The point is simply this—every boat that is being considered by a couple or a short-handed crew should be able to be handled by a single sailor. Whether you’re on watch while the rest of the crew sleeps or you just want to be ready for an emergency, no cruising boat should be impossible to handle alone.

What are the Best Single-Handed Sailboats and Catamarans_Where you make

Nearly all modern cruising boats can at least be modified for easier solo handling. Here’s a look at some of the most critical gear and considerations.

The importance of each of these items will vary greatly depending on the boat, its mission, and its crew. Rigging any boat is a very personal choice. Sailors notoriously like to do things their own ways, and their boats demonstrate this character trait. The way the manufacturer or the last owner set things up is just a starting point from which you begin modifying the boat for your use.

Probably the most helpful thing to be able to single-hand is a competent hand on the helm. Thankfully, several modern and old technologies can provide solo sailors with just that.

The goal here is to allow the boat to hold a course without the operator being at the helm. Some form of “autohelm” or “autopilot” is invaluable on long passages. While it’s romantic to think of steering your ship through the dark night, in truth, it is exhausting work. An autopilot or windvane lets you relax and know that the boat will hold its course while you keep watch.

In severe weather at sea, it’s not uncommon for hand-steering crews to stand very short watches, sometimes less than an hour. This is simply due to the workload of controlling the boat in heavy weather. Some boats are more work than others, but all require more helm work when the seas are up.

This is the primary reason why the autopilot system, whatever it is, should be considered an essential part of a boat’s safety gear. A sailboat autopilot system is simply invaluable if you plan to travel far distances or do overnights on your boat.

A windvane is a purely mechanical method to controlling the boat’s heading. It has two parts—the actual windvane and then some form of steering. Many wind vanes are so well regarded as to be recognizably by brand name. Monitor and Hydrovane are probably the two most well-known models.

The windvane assembly is mounted on the transom of a vessel. The windvane itself sticks up like the rudder of an airplane, and it reacts to the wind and spins. As it spins, it uses linkages to either move the ship’s rudder or its own smaller rudder. The operator simply adjusts some small lines to select what direction the boat should be sailing from the wind. The windvane then holds that angle.

There are many advantages to these systems, and their usefulness offshore should not be underestimated. While we’re often dazzled by the digital and the new-fangled, a windvane is dead simple and offers the ultimate in reliability. It uses no battery power and requires very little input to operate. It is nothing more than metal, and short of being severely damaged or bent, there’s just not much that can go wrong with one. And one final bonus—some windvanes can be used as emergency rudders.

For all their pluses, windvanes do have some downsides. They are large and bulky, hanging off the back of the boat. And they are costly to purchase and install, too.

Electronic Autopilots

Most modern boats are equipped with at least a little bit of electronics, and autopilots are now very common. An autopilot can be described as above or below decks, depending on where the drive unit is mounted.

Regardless of the details, all autopilots work in approximately the same way. They use either a motor or hydraulic system to move some part of the boat’s rudder linkages. Some move the wheel, while others attach to an arm on the rudder shaft. Either way, the autopilot uses electronic signals to move the boat’s rudder left or right, just like moving the wheel.

Most simple autopilots are connected to an electronic compass, giving the operator a heading hold. Sailing models may also tie into the wind instruments to allow the holding of an apparent wind angle. New models that talk to the chartplotter may track navigation courses between waypoints or entire pre-planned navigation routes.

The bigger the boat, and the heavier the weather it might encounter, then the beefier an autopilot system needs to be. Autopilots can and do fail—they’re complicated electronics with a lot of moving parts. Single-handers venturing far offshore will likely want to have an entire backup unit installed or use their autopilot in concert with a manual windvane.

For boats looking to travel long distances or make overnight passages, there is no substitution for having a spare set of eyes on board. All vessels operate on the concept of “see and avoid,” meaning each captain’s responsibility to watch out for other traffic. If a single-hander is busy doing something else, like letting the autopilot drive the boat while they make their supper, who’s “on watch?”

There is only one electronic device that can be used as a second set of eyes, and that’s a good quality marine radar. All modern units allow operators to set up “guard zones.” The unit will monitor a pre-determined zone around the boat and notify you if an object is detected inside that zone.

Of course, there are other benefits to having radar on board. It can see through rain and fog. If you’re sailing solo, there’s no reason not to have a second set of eyes on board, even if they’re electronic.

What are the Best Single-Handed Sailboats and Catamarans_Where you make it

Once you’ve got a reliable autopilot and radar on board, you can move from the items you need into the items you might want. If you have an autopilot that works and you plan your actions carefully, you can likely handle any vessel without the following equipment. But these items might make it all a little more pleasant and are worth considering.

Electric Windlass and Winches

Cruising vessels that anchor regularly often have electric windlasses. These make hoisting the anchor and chain back aboard as easy as pressing a button. While manual windlasses enable you to bring up very heavy ground tackle, they take a long time to do it and require an awful lot of elbow grease.

The same applies to sailing winches on larger boats. Electric winches are complex and do take a lot of power, but they also make hoisting and handling big sails a breeze.

Line Control From the Cockpit

Pretty much every sailboat has the most crucial control lines rigged to the cockpit. Jib and main sheets are the perfect examples. But some boats go one step further, also running halyards and reefing lines to the cockpit, too.

There are plusses and minuses to this approach. Running these lines from the base of the mast aft to the cockpit increases the drag on the system, meaning it will take more effort to hoist or tighten the lines. But the security of not having to leave the cockpit if you don’t have to is worth the investment, so long as you have the rope clutches and winch power to make it all work.

Some sailors balk at the idea of running these lines aft, often citing that they’ll have to go forward if something goes wrong. But most of the time, they won’t have to. Fewer trips up on deck at sea means a safer and easier voyage all around. For the single-hander especially, the more you can do from one position, the better.

The layout of how the lines are run to the cockpit is important, too. This is often more a factor in the yacht’s design than something you can easily play with. But where applicable, a sailor will want to spend considerable time thinking about where they want to put lines and how they want to get them there.

Rig Simplicity

The simpler the rig, the easier it is to sail. While nearly all production boats are sloops, the catboat has some distinct advantages here. With only one big sail to worry about, the amount of work and line handling is instantly reduced by two (or three, in the case of ketches or cutters). Catboats like the Nonsuch are known to be excellent performers and are super easy to sail. There are a few cat-rigged schooners out there, too.

There are many variations of traditional sailplans that have been played with on modern boats. Junk rigs, for example, are simple to create and very easy to sail. They’re complex in their setup and not very common on fiberglass boats, however.

If you’re looking for something easy to handle, efficient, and really wild, check out this article from Sail Magazine featuring some of the cutting-edge things found on yachts and the very interesting AeroRig.

Related: Best Trailerable Sailboats

Self-Tending Headsails

Some sloops have smaller headsails that are “self-tending.” This is another way of saying that these sails don’t need to be tacked, you can trim them like a mainsail, and you can tack the boat simply by turning the helm. That’s a considerable reduction in workload for the crew, whether they’re a single-hander or not.

Roller Furlers on Sails

Headsails can either be hanked on or rolled up on a furler. A furler means less hoisting, and you can open the sail from the cockpit. Although somewhat less common, mainsails can be furled too. Some boats have in-mast furlers. On boats with large full-batten mainsails, in-boom furlers are becoming more common.

The advantage of these systems is that they make reefing and reducing sail extremely easy. The hassle, of course, is that they have more moving parts and are expensive to install.

Cockpit Layout

The cockpit layout is about more than just the rigging. You’ll also want to take note of where and how the electronics are mounted. For example, is there a handheld VHF or do you have to go down below every time you make or answer a radio call? Are the chartplotter and radar in easy view of the helm? These are easy things to fix but worth looking at and thinking about as you set the boat up.

Easy Docking

Finally, the boat should be easy to dock single-handed. Of course, it’s always preferable to have help on the dock to get the slip safely. But this doesn’t always happen, so you should be prepared to do it yourself.

Many sailboats benefit from having a bow thruster installed, as this can help control the bow when docking in close quarters, especially in crosswind situations.

The overall size of the boat is an important factor, too. You can single hand huge yachts, which is all well and good until it comes time to dock it.

Monohulls Rigged for Easy-Operation

The good news is that you can rig nearly any boat for safe and easy single-handing. The newer the boat, the more likely it will already be set up for single-handing. Modern items like line organizers and rope clutches make it all the easier.

The boats below are exceptional in that they step away from the now ubiquitous Bermuda sloop rig. As a result, they may lose some performance abilities in some conditions, but they more than make up for it in their ease of handling.

Nonsuch 36/40

Nonsuches are distinctive boats—they are some of the only large catboats on the water today. They’re rigged with a large mainsail that is made easy to control by a wishbone boom rigging system. In effect, this makes handling a Nonsuch much like sailing a giant windsurfing board. The larger Nonsuches come from the drawing board of respected marine architect Mark Ellis.

With only one sail, the boat is straightforward to operate. First, hoist the main, and then control it with a single sheet. Tacks and jibes are easy. Reefing is as simple as letting out the halyard a little and reducing sail.

Freedom has made various interesting and straightforward rigs that contrast with the run-of-the-mill sloops found in most marinas. The number one thing you’ll notice about Freedoms is their distinctive tapered un-stayed mast. With no spreaders and no standing rigging, Freedoms look sleek from the outset.

Several models of Freedom are catboats rigged with a giant mainsail. Others, like the popular 36, are free-standing, fractionally-rigged sloops with a tiny, self-tending jib. This is the best of both worlds since the jib will provide extra power when going upwind and presents very little extra work for the crew.

Picking a catamaran for solo sailing may seem counterintuitive since they are so much larger than monohulls. But most modern catamarans are rigged from the factory for single-handed sailing. These boats are designed from the ground up for charter work—meaning that a captain will do all the work while their guests enjoy themselves. This flies in the face of the design ethos shared by most older “classic plastic” monohulls built for the club racing scene.

Most cruising catamarans are rigged with straightforward fractional sloop rigs with large, full-batten mainsails. The mains typically feature slab reefing, and the foresails are almost always mounted on furlers. Operating these boats is as simple as hoisting the main and then unrolling the jib.

Leopard 39/40 (circa 2010)

Leopard catamarans, built by Robertson and Caine of South Africa, is the sole supplier of catamarans to The Moorings yacht charter company worldwide. But their boats are equally popular among private owners who want the catamaran lifestyle and ease of sailing.

Unlike competing brands, Leopard embraced the idea of the single-handed operator from their earliest designs. Even some of their original boats, the 38, 45, and 47 (circa 1998), had excellent walk-through helm stations with all lines led to them. As a result, you can perform every task on these boats—from hoisting the main, unfurling the jib, reefing, and even trimming the traveler—while keeping one hand on the helm.

Lagoon 39/40/42 (2015 and newer)

Lagoon is Leopard’s main competitor, but if you look at their older designs, they spent years catching up to Leopard in terms of helm positioning and single-handed operations. This changed dramatically when Lagoon introduced the 39 around 2015 and the 42 and 46 a few years later.

This new generation of Lagoons went one step better than Leopard. They have ditched the enormous and powerful mainsail in favor of a larger and self-tending jib. These boats carry their masts much farther aft than other catamarans, and the design is more similar to the Prouts of the 1990s than other modern catamarans.

But this setup makes two significant improvements. First, it reduces the power of the sometimes difficult to control mainsail. Second, it also adds self-tacking abilities to the headsail. And since most cats use furling light-wind sails for downwind and calm-day sailing, no real performance loss results.

Prout Snowgoose (circa 1987)

An older boat that is underrated these days is the Prout 37 Snowgoose. These boats featured a double headsail paired with a very small and easy to tend main. While the headsails aren’t self-tacking, they are both usually mounted on furlers. This provides a lot of sail plan options for offshore adventures. Additionally, the mast on these boats is located so far aft as to be even with the helm, meaning you can do reefing and hoisting chores without leaving the cockpit.

Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.

Going Solo: Getting Started with Single-handed Sailing

The idea of single-handed sailing appeals to cruisers and racers alike. Quantum’s Yannick Lemonnier shares his single- and short-handed sailing experiences to help you get started.

On November 8th, 2020, 17 registered single-handed sailors will set off on the most challenging sailing endeavor in the history of yacht racing: the Vendée Globe, a solo, around-the-world, nonstop marathon, in which no outside assistance is allowed. In the 31 years since the inception of this race, a total of 167 sailors have started the race, but only 82 have finished the course. Armel Le Cleac’h holds the record for fastest race; in 2019, he managed to lap the planet in 74 days.

But single-handed and short-handed sailors aren’t all Vendée Globe racers with single purpose built, ultra-high-tech racing machines. The magic of being alone at sea is something that almost anyone can experience with a well-found vessel and the desire to venture out alone. Whether you’re racing or cruising, sailing short-handed requires a change in thinking, as now the individual sailor takes on every role in the operation of the boat.

Boat Set-Up and Handling

Once you’ve made the decision to sail short-handed, it’s essential to focus on ease of handling your boat, since you are now assuming all roles: skipper, dial trimmer, navigator, bow-person, engineer, and chef. The goal is to make each of these positions as simple for yourself as possible. One of the best ways to begin this process is to take out your boat on a calm day and go through the motions of sailing as if you were racing or cruising−hoisting sails, steering, trimming, and navigating, and see where you run into problems. Can you reef the mainsail by yourself? Is the spinnaker pole too much to handle on your own? Can you reach the sheeting positions from the helm?

Generally speaking, if you’ve never sailed short-handed before, this first outing may be a disaster. Simple things, such as not being able to reach the main traveler while you’re steering, can be problematic when you’re by yourself, so take notes as you flail around, and start investigating changes that will simplify your life.

These changes may be as basic as moving a halyard clutch or two or a bit more involved such as converting to a single-line reefing system. A single-line reef system is convenient where possible, but even adding a reef tack line and jammer back to the cockpit can be even better and requires less line that ends up tangled in the cockpit. The goal for single-handed sailing is to make the boat easier to sail. Your local loft can also help you with ideas on how to best solve problems and set the boat up for solo sailing.

Because of the rising popularity of short-handed racing and cruising, there has been a trickle-down effect in the technology used by Vendee Globe sailors. Equipment manufacturers now offer less expensive products based on the effectiveness of the prototypes used at the highest levels. Roller furling headsails and canting keels are examples of short-handed racing tech that has filtered into the mainstream. More robust and reliable autopilots interfaced with wind instruments to use apparent wind angle upwind and true wind from broad reach to run are now available to the general public. Sail handling systems such as top down spinnaker furlers, electric winches, and code zeros are further examples of commonly used hardware that originated from short-handed offshore racing. I recommend you use a releasable inner forestay with hanks and make your headsail reef-friendly. Make sure you have enough reefs, and use a cushion to make the long hours of driving more comfortable.

Think through the experience you’re looking for as well as your budget to prioritize a hardware and equipment list. Again, consult your local loft with your list. They will have good recommendations and access to industry partners to help you get exactly what you’re looking for.

Safety and Communication

Sailing Sailing without a full crew creates serious safety considerations that must be taken into account. There is always increased risk when fewer hands are on board, whether it’s a solo weekend trip or a solo ocean crossing. Jacklines (stout webbing straps running bow to stern that are clipped into the tether on your harness) should always be in place and used even in the calmest weather. The advice “one hand for you, one hand for the boat” should be followed as well. It’s also important to make sure you have the appropriate life preserver for the conditions and events, perhaps investing in a few designs for different circumstances and weather. There are pros and cons to the different styles of deck vests, so do your research and consult a specialist to decide which ones will be right for you.

You will also want to create a sail and communication plan and share it with a trusted contact on shore. This plan should include a rough estimate of where you plan to sail along with an estimated timeline. It should also include a check-in plan as well as an agreed upon course of action should you fail to check-in. Onboard wi-fi and satellite phones, while more expensive, are reliable methods of communication if you’ll be far offshore. Otherwise, a trusty cell phone can do the trick (Just make sure you have a battery!). I recommend using an AIS transponder with the call sign changed to “SoloSailorName” and a phone with Navionics with offline maps loaded. Never forget extra battery packs and proper charging ports.

Before venturing out, consider attending one of the Safety at Sea Courses (a requirement for many popular offshore races such as Newport-Bermuda or the Transpac), where you will learn the basics you’ll need for staying safe offshore.

Going Solo Doesn’t Mean Going it Alone

Finally, one major misconception about single-handed and short-handed sailors is that they’re introverted loners who go it alone for a variety of escapist reasons. In truth, you would be hard-pressed to find a more supportive and engaging group of men and women who are always happy to share their knowledge with newcomers. Getting involved with local short-handed sailing clubs like the P.S.S.A. on the West Coast and the Bermuda One-Two community in the Northeast is a great way to meet like-minded sailors and ease your way into this type of sailing. You can also consider sailing solo but leaving at the same time as other boats, which still makes it something of a social activity−one with help nearby if needed.

Single-handed and short-handed sailing is a unique challenge that is not to be taken lightly but one that will push you as far as you are willing to go. For some, it could be a solo passage to Bermuda and for others it could be as simple as going for a day sail without assistance. Whatever your motivation, it’s a special kind of sailing that can be highly addictive and extremely satisfying. Consider yourself warned.

The Discussion

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Setting sail alone: Exploring solo dinghies and single-handed sailing

Setting sail alone: Exploring solo dinghies and single-handed sailing

Are you ready to embark on a solo sailing adventure? Solo dinghies and single-handed sailing offer the thrill of independence and the serenity of the open water. Let's delve into this exciting world.

The thrill of independence

Sailing solo is a unique opportunity to connect with the elements, test your mettle, and savor the thrill of independence. There's no need to coordinate with a crew or compromise on your course. The decisions are yours alone, as are the triumphs.

Your ticket to freedom

A solo dinghy is the gateway to the solo sailing experience. These compact boats are designed for one person, making them the perfect vessel for those who relish solitude at sea. If you're in search of a solo dinghy for sale, you're on the path to boundless aquatic adventures.

Read our top notch articles on topics such as sailing, sailing tips and destinations in our Magazine .

Sailing single-handed: A solitary pursuit

Sailing single-handedly is a unique and solitary pursuit. It's not just about controlling the boat alone but also reveling in the quietude of the ocean. Solo sailors find solace and exhilaration as they navigate the waters with only themselves and the wind as companions.

Mastering the art: Solo dinghies and more

Solo dinghies come in various designs and sizes, catering to both beginners and experienced sailors. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned mariner, mastering the art of single-handed sailing requires skill and finesse. These boats demand precise handling, which can be both challenging and rewarding.

Optimist dinghies

The Sunfish is a classic choice for solo sailors. Its simple design and lightweight hull make it easy to handle, even for beginners. The boat's agility and responsiveness allow for enjoyable solo trips on both calm and challenging waters.

The Laser sailboat is known for its speed and maneuverability. Solo sailors appreciate its single-handed design, which includes a single sail and a simple rigging system. It's a competitive choice for racing enthusiasts.

3. Optimist dinghy

Ideal for young solo sailors, the Optimist Dinghy offers stability and ease of use. It's perfect for kids learning to sail independently, providing them with a safe and enjoyable experience.

The RS Aero is a modern and lightweight sailboat that offers exhilarating solo sailing. Its design focuses on simplicity and performance, making it a top choice for those seeking a thrilling solo adventure.

5. Solo dinghy

As the name suggests, the Solo Dinghy is purpose-built for solo sailing. Its single-handed control and comfortable cockpit design make it a fantastic choice for solo sailors looking for both performance and comfort.

6. Hobie Wave

The Hobie Wave is a catamaran that's remarkably easy to handle alone. Its stability and forgiving nature make it suitable for sailors of various skill levels, including those new to solo sailing.

For those seeking competitive solo sailing, the J/70 is a top-tier choice. Its responsive handling and speed capabilities make it an excellent option for single-handed racing.

8. Melges 14

The Melges 14 is a versatile and lightweight sailboat. It's well-suited for solo sailing thanks to its user-friendly rigging and comfortable cockpit. This boat allows sailors to fine-tune their skills with ease.

9. Catalina 22

The Catalina 22 is a larger sailboat suitable for solo sailors looking to embark on extended journeys. With its spacious cabin and straightforward handling, it provides comfort and reliability.

10. Com-Pac Eclipse

The Com-Pac Eclipse is a cruiser-racer sailboat designed for solo and shorthanded sailing. It offers a balance of performance and comfort, making it an excellent choice for solo sailors looking to explore coastal waters.

In conclusion, solo sailing is a thrilling way to connect with the sea and challenge yourself as a sailor. These ten sailboats offer a range of options for solo adventurers, from beginners to seasoned sailors. Choose the one that best suits your skill level and sailing ambitions, and set sail for unforgettable solo journeys on the open waters.

So what are you waiting for? Take a look at our range of charter boats and head to some of our favourite sailing destinations .

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Top 10 Sailboats Easiest & Best to Single Hand

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Hello Sailor's There are some great sailors on this site. In your opinion. What sailboats would you consider to fall into a top 10 category for easiest and best to single hand sail in a coastal environment. This would also include the possibly of living aboard? ( length 30 to 38 foot ) Use Up and Down the East Coast, Bahamas Thanks Diceman

Top 10 Sailboats Easiest & Best to Single Hand Have to look at the Freedom sailboats for ease of handling and roominess. Have a 38 that we just love. Very stiff. Don't look at reefing until 24+ knots.

In this size range you have two real options. The first is a cat rigged boat like the nunsuch, everything else you just have to set the boat up to do it. No boat out of the factory is set for single handed sailing. To be honest the only boat I know of in the 40ish foot range that was designed to be singlehanded is the Open 40, and they are NOT the boat for a beginner.

Stumble said: In this size range you have two real options. The first is a cat rigged boat like the nunsuch, everything else you just have to set the boat up to do it. No boat out of the factory is set for single handed sailing. Click to expand...

I bought my Hunter Vision 32 for coastal cruising .... easy to sail and great at the dock! All lines back to the cockpit, two jiffy reefs, electric winch for Main, lazy jacks, furling jib etc. Just Launched - Hunter Vision 32 | Tom Dove

Thanks ereiss for you suggestion. I should have said Wanted Top 10 on this post. I could not edit the heading of the post or if there is way I do not know how. Thanks Diceman

I don't know what you mean in that last post? You want us to put down what we think are the top ten? Very few have sailed on ten different boats solo so how the hell would they know? You will just get drivel. Beneteau 393 I have done about 15,000 miles solo and I prefer to handle her myself. I would prefer best as solo Jeanneau 54 Beneteau 54 Beneteau 50 Jeanneau 49 Beneteau 473 47 footer.... Beneteau 46 Beneteau 423 In that order. But if money was no object I would solo an Oyster 57, but I would have a cleaning crew at each port! Basically, get the biggest boat you can. And only buy a "proper" boat, a modern, production boat, cheap, reliable, roomy etc.

MarkofSeaLife said: ......I would prefer best as solo Jeanneau 54...... Click to expand...

Thanks Stumble & RonRelyea MarkofSeaLife MarkofSeaLife- Your right I should not have put the 10 in the post. Just should have said "What boat do you think would work the best for---". I have thought about staying in the 32 to 34 foot range. I do like the roominess of the Morgan 382. Draft I'm sure is a issue to be concerned about. I have a wife that will be going most of the time but not helping much in the sailing department except at the helm a little. I did take some lengthily sail lessons out of Maryland (not the 4 day deal) Up and including ASA 105 over the past two years and spend some time on Chesapeake Bay 30 to 46 foot boats. This by any means does not classify me as a sailor. Far from it. If I had not spent the money and taken the time to try to learn the right way to go at sailing I would have found my self in big trouble. Not to say I will not encounter lots of problems just that I will be better prepared for them now. My asking for suggestion's on a boat came along because there are so many boat's to choose for sailing. All have a job to do just that some do a better job then others at a certain thing. I thought this site with it's long list of season sailors could offer some great advise on what boat's would work best. No need to reinvent the wheel. Thanks Diceman

Sloop rigs = easy to single hand But with varying annoyances like winches too far from the wheel or tiller.

If you really plan on single-handing in coastal conditions, I would suggest that you look for moderate to light displacement for the length boat since they have more easily driven hulls that can get by with less sail area. I also recommend a fractionally rigged sloop since the have smaller headsails and so are easier to tack and trim shorthanded, although they are scarer in that size range. Most Fracs also have enough rig flex that you can avoid reefing or sail changes across a wider range of conditions. I would suggest something like a J-34c, Express 34, or a Farr 1020 (I routinely single-hand the 38 foot version of this boat). All are pretty handy to sail since they are easily driven hulls and can sail with minimally overlapping headsails, without giving up sailing ability. Jeff

Hmmm interesting question. Easiest will be small but 'BEST' ? may be quite large. I am a full time liveaboard and single hand about 50% of the time in fairly coastal conditions although the passage I am doing tomorrow is one of the rougher ones St Vincent up to St Lucia with a known acceleration zone and rough sea spot to the north of St Vincent. My boat is a fairly light 44ft cutter with roller furling on the headsail only. I would say that having a roller furler on the staysail as well would make things easier and as I get older [ 65 now ] I might add this. I have slab reefing on the main and would not change this. Mainsail hoist and reefing lines are not lead aft. With good forecasting I rarely need to reef on passage and the strongest conditions I would choose to sail in require that I use the first reef on the main and staysail only. 30 knots gusting 35. When conditions are rough and seas are short [ the dreaded Caribbean two step ] my old lady maintains way much better than a 32 footer. So maybe this is best? BTW she is a New Bombay Trading Company Explorer 44 and very definitely NOT FOR SALE OR HIRE.

I would say a modern production boat would be easiest. Furling main and jib, self tailing winches, auto tack. Easy to dock. Easy to control under power. I can tell you that the 2005 33' Hunter I used to sail was as close to idiot proof as possible.

Thanks everyone for all your answer"s to the post. Your suggest's help as I sort through the boat's that are in my price range. Thanks Again Diceman

Freedom and Nonsuch... No brainer. Rest of the boats are far behind. Freedom 32 brochure http://freedomyachts.org/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=8567

posted by MarkofSeaLife :"Very few have sailed on ten different boats solo so how the hell would they know? You will just get drivel." he has a point, but even with this in mind, many sailors know what it takes to single hand even though they have limited experience on many different boats. Take my Tartan 37 for example, I single hand it often and know what it takes. It really is set up fairly well, although one point of contention is that you have to leave the helm to adjust the main at the companionway. Not bad if you have a decent autopilot or if you lock the helm down for a moment but it would be nicer to be able to reach it from the helm. Otherwise, I would say not a problem. The draft is sweet at 4'-2" (centerboard model) and stable enough to take offshore (48% ballast/disp) 272 disp/length ratio, 16.1 sail area/disp.

I would have a good look at Nonsuch. For one person a 30 is more than adequate. Because of the beam it has the attributes of a much larger boat. There are two interior arrangements that are very different - Classic and Ultra. The latter are typically more expensive.

The one Nonsuch I have been on was a 30 Ultra with the dinette table removed. I thought I had stepped into a house. It was an Alice in Wonderland moment. My brain actually started imagining a ping pong table in the middle of this 'room" I was in. They are cavernous. And that comes from someone who is used to a modern Hunter.

To echo what others have mentioned, "easiest and best" I believe come with experience and familiarity, regardless of the boat. I am pretty comfortable single handing my own boat. But stepping aboard the exact same make and model boat, yet setup differently for the skipper's preferences, I am flat out lost. This statement will likely draw scorn but, for older boats (like mine) that still have all the halyards at the mast, I've come to the conclusion that an autopilot will be easier to fit and more useful for singlehanding than retrofitting the onslaught of deck organizers, blocks, stoppers, and cabin top winches to run everything aft to the cockpit. I've made the decision to stick with hank on sails and keep a modest inventory to change the headsails to conditions as I sail mostly on the bay. Your preferences for furling or non-furling and local waters will dictate how the boat is rigged. I'm definitely in the "less is more" category, which seems to be against modern thinking. cheers, -Ike s/v Skol Berkeley, CA

Agreed that for your two stated criteria the Nonsuch is way ahead. It has much more beam (and carries that beam far forward) than marconi rigs. If you haven't been below on one, you'll be impressed with the room. It does feel like a house. It is also set up for easy sail handling right out of the box. Short tacking up a channel? No headsail, no problems! If you go with a marconi rig I'd say that what you are looking for is what Jeff H suggested. The lighter the boat, the less sail area you need to handle and the lighter and easier those sails are to handle. So you want something lightweight. You probably also want roller furling headsail(s) and a roller furling main. The furling mains have some disadvantages, but for single handing, they can't be beat. Easy to put away, hoist or reef. Lines should obviously be led aft and as many as possible should be within reach of the helm(s). You'll want an autopilot and/or tiller lock and you might also want a saysail boom for your headsail so you don't have to mess with it when tacking or jybing. Island Packets are famous for always having staysail booms.... MedSailor

Thanks Everyone Again. I think that all of your suggestions thought's will be very useful to me and other's who read these different post in a search for the boat they think they my want to buy. Diceman

I vote the Flicka. Smaller is easier.

How long (years) would you say it would take a beginner to learn sailing and be able to handle a 40' along the coastlines of US?

Your question is a lot more like "How long is a piece of string?" than you probably realize. I'll let others chime in with more nuanced answers, but to answer your question directly, I'd say 1-3 years if you were FULL TIME dedicated to it, and 3-7 as a part time proposition depending on your effort and study, 6-15 as a background thing that you didn't devote a lot of time to, but did devote some. BTW I'm assuming that you mean singlehanded since that's the title of this thread. Cut the times by 30-50% if you are taking COMPETENT crew with you. Medsailor

Thanks MedSailor, and Yes, I'd be single handed doing this as I don't plan on support crew, although the wife would be onboard.

Amount of freeboard
Keel configuration - as it impacts turning and sideslip
Propellor. Some give miserable reverse, others have good thrust in reverse

Really depends where the hell you are going... coastal cruising,,, island hopping, or crossing a few oceans.... Im with Sealife if your going places... bigger the better... if your just cruising the BVI's the Nonsuch is the clear winner

I would have to give a nod to Greg's recommendation along with several others. Nansuch. Of all the boats I have delivered a 32 & a 36 they were like sailing a dingy. Only used a wench handle for the last 1' of the main halyard, adjusting the boom for draft. 98% of the time the main sheet was pulled by hand and if needed the mainsheet wench could be reached while holding on the wheel. I just couldn't get over that massive tree just aft of the bow. Freedom might be similar. climbing down the lazaret you could walk around the engine. Huge area, would hold almost as much stuff as my garage. Drawbacks they seem to hold there value and can be pricey.

You can single anything. I single my P35. I've singled a properly set up T37. Neither is as easy as a Nonsuch, but it's all in the set up.

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How to choose the best solo / single-handed sailboat?

What to consider in a sailboat for one person or a short-handed crew.

Keeping control of your yacht in all circumstances is usually on top of the list for most sailors. Because you are planning to be alone at sea, or because your crew is not necessarily savvy, or just does not intend to participate in the maneuvering and tasks, or even just wants to enjoy your RM’s interior comfort and modern cabins without being responsible for the navigation planning.

There are a few features to take into account when looking for the best solo or short-handed sailboat to live on – whether for coastal cruising or ocean crossings. If you are going to be the only one responsible for all operations, you might want to consider the yacht’s safety features, stability, easy maneuverability, and size, according to your sailing experience.

RM Yachts offers two plywood sailboats under 32 feet, which are strong, comfortable, and easy to maneuver for a single-handed sailor:

RM 890+, liveaboard yacht of about 29-30 feet
RM 970, a fast and comfortable 32-footer

Optimal features for safe and comfortable solo sailing

RM monohull yachts have been designed with optimized deck plans, which make them great single-handed sailing yachts: the deck fittings, the layout, the running rigging organization, and the ergonomics have been thoroughly thought to facilitate not only the solo navigation or the short-handed crew, but also the safety on board.

This ergonomics enable the single-handed sailor to:

Have a perfect fore vision from the helm station.
Have a panoramic vision from the inside charts table, thanks to the fore window.
Have a direct access to the sheets and traveler, thanks to the “German sheet” display, and take action within seconds: hardening or easing, deal with gusts, etc.

This ergonomics also enables an easy task distribution: the blockers and jammers, the sails trimming, the winches at the right height for a standing crew member, etc. All this without having to run to the mast’s foot in heavy seas – ideal for a solo sailor or a person sailing without assistance.

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16 Best Trimarans For Sailing Around The World (And a Few For Daysailing)

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Trimarans are growing in popularity worldwide, due to their light construction and high stability these multihulls are even faster than catamarans. Trimarans are still one of the lesser-known boat types so in this article ill be checking out some of the most popular models.

The best trimarans include:

The Neel 43
The Neel 47
Dragonfly 28
The Pulse 600
Corsair 37

These tris are built with your safety in mind while also packing powerful speed and a wide array of comfort features to optimize your sailing experience , some are even foldable making them possible to load on a trailer and transport to the sailing destination of your choosing.

In this article, I have created a list of the 16 best trimarans in the market and their unique features. You’ll also learn the best options for different purposes such as circumnavigation, weekend sailing, racing, and more.

Table of Contents

What Is a Trimaran?

A trimaran is a multi hulled sailboat with three individual hulls; the main hull ( vaka ) and a pair of outrigger hulls ( amas ). These smaller outrigger hulls are attached to the main hull using beams.

While trimarans have a rich history dating back nearly four millennia, these types of sailboats have only gained popularity in the late 1900s and early 2000s.

Trimarans are primarily used as personal boats for sailing enthusiasts or racing. These sailboats draw their versatility from their lightweight design, making them faster and easier to handle at sea when compared to single-hulled boats (monohulls). Additionally, the three hulls also contribute to better stability, making it very hard to capsize (although more likely than a cat according to this study)

Trimarans come in various sizes, and some can be as small as 19 feet (5.8 meters) in length, while others go up to 60 feet (18meters). They’re also used for different purposes. Most trimarans are used for racing and recreational purposes, although some units are still used as ferries.

As with all things, to find out which is the best we need to understand what it will be used for. There is a big difference in requirements between a boat used for day sailing compared to offshore around the world sailing.

The list below highlights the best trimarans for different purposes.

Best Trimarans For Cruising, Liveaboard and Sailing Around The World

The Neel 43 is a French trimaran best suited for cruising. Its key features include:

Easy maneuverability on the open sea by only a small number of crew members

This unit is also built for comfort, ideal for more extended travels. This 43-feet (13-meter) trimaran is also made with recyclable and bio-sourced materials, highlighting the manufacturer’s commitment to environmental consciousness.

This trimaran has a base price of €329,000 excluding VAT. This translates to approximately $370,138.

2.Neel 47 Possibly The Best

Named the best full-size multihull for 2020, the Neel 47 is a strong contender for one of the best trimarans in the market. This 47-foot (14.3-meter) long trimaran features optimized exterior and interior ergonomics for a unique design and look.

Still on design, the Neel 47 is ideal for couples looking to take a weekend off or spend some time as liveaboard. It has a spacious owner’s cabin and two bedrooms. It also features a spacious living room and kitchen and is optimized to ensure comfort for a couple.

The Neel 47 also has two basic guest cabins so your friends or children can tag along on your sailing adventure. Accordingly, this unit is ideal for those looking to explore the sea for the sheer joy of sailing.

The Neel 47 comes at a 571,139 euro ( $643,600 ) price tag, excluding VAT.

3. Rapido 60 The Fast and Comfortable Circumnavigator

The Rapido 60 offers a blend of performance, safety, and luxury, making it one of the best options for bluewater sailing. Measuring 59.3 feet (18 meters) in length, the Rapido 60 is an imposing unit. It’s made from lightweight sandwiches and carbon materials that provide speed and strength, allowing it to stand up to strong ocean currents.

The Rapido 60 also has spacious living spaces and is built for comfort at all points of the sail. Its design also optimizes safety. While it’s an ideal option for circumnavigating, it’s also an excellent choice for racing due to its speed.

This is also the same boat that The Youtube channel La Vagabond just purchased.

The Rapido 60 retails at $1,400,000 .

4. Rapido 40

The Rapido 40 measures 39.4 feet (12 meters) in length and is ideal for cruising around the world. The Rapido 40 features twin “C” foils, which provide added lift, enhancing its speed and performance whether you are sailing downwind or upwind.

Because it has C foils, this trimaran doesn’t have a central daggerboard, increasing interior space. Accordingly, it’s an excellent option for couples looking to cruise and enjoy great performances .

The Rapido 40 is made from high-tech all-carbon materials for a lightweight yet sturdy design. This material is also used for the countertops and furniture, and the cork flooring adds a touch of style.

This trimaran retails for $595,000 , making it a cheaper option than the Rapido 60.

5. Dragonfly 40

The Dragonfly 40 measures 40 feet (12 meters) in length. It features high-comfort standards, making it one of the best trimarans in the market for taking your family for a cruise. Because of its larger size, it has a better capacity, being capable of accommodating six to eight people, so you can bring your family and friends along.

It’s easy to navigate and extremely safe. With a maximum speed of 24 knots (44.5 km/h), this trimaran also provides fast speeds to make your cruise even more exhilarating.

The Dragonfly 40 retails from €509,000 exclusive of VAT, which rounds up to $572,000 .

6. Dragonfly 32

The Dragonfly 32 is a high-performance cruiser. Like the Dragonfly 28, this unit features a contemporary design for racing. This trimaran can accommodate five to seven crew members.

Although slightly longer than the Dragonfly 28 with its 32-foot (9.8-meter) length, the Dragonfly 32 has a max speed of 23+ knots (42.6+ km/h), making it one of the fastest trimarans for racing. This unit also has comfortable accommodation, which makes it an ideal option for a weekend cruise with family and friends.

The Dragonfly 32 has a base price of $350,000 .

7. Corsair 37

Thanks to a variable draft with a retractable rudder, the Corsair 37 is an ideal choice for shallow water exploration. This 37-foot (11.3-meter) long trimaran features advanced foam-cored construction designed for safety, making it virtually unsinkable.

The carbon hulls minimize weight, this makes for a lightweight ocean exploration sailboat with blistering speeds. One of its selling points is that this trimaran has previously been used for Arctic expeditions, possibly marking it as one of the better options for circumnavigation and offshore sailing in the northern waters.

This trimaran has a base price of $189,000 but can go up to $204,125 .

Best Trimarans For Day/Weekend Sailing

8. dragonfly 28.

The Dragonfly 28 is a 28-feet (8.75-meter) long sailboat that can accommodate up to five people. It comes in two versions:

Touring version: This version is ideal for families.
Performance version: This is built to provide optimal performance for the sports enthusiast within you.

It clocks a maximum speed of 22+ knots (22+ km/h) and is beam-folded. It’s an excellent option if you want a high-performance, comfortable yet smaller unit for your day or weekend cruise.

The Dragonfly 28 starts at €188,280 inclusive of VAT, which comes to around $211,600.

9. Dragonfly 25

Like other trimarans under the Dragonfly brand, this 25-foot (7.62-meter) trimaran is great for both racing and short term cruising. However, this high-performance boat delivers easy handling, making it perfect for couples looking to take a ride out over the weekend and seasoned sailors looking for an exhilarating racing adventure.

The Touring version features a lightweight build and offers comfort and accommodation to keep you, and the few guests you can fit, comfortable during the ride. This trimaran also has a Sport version, which is optimized for racing.

The Dragonfly 25 retails from EUR 86,800 .

10. Pulse 600

The Pulse 600 trimaran is a compact sailboat. It’s made from lightweight, carbon-reinforced construction and vacuum-formed materials for optimal speed. This trimaran is an ideal option if you are looking for speed.

It also features ample deck space, greater stability, and volume than most trimarans of similar size and build.

This trimaran measures 19.8 feet (6 meters) in length and can be sailed single-handedly by one person with minimal effort. The Pulse 600 has a base price of $38,800 , which places it in the lower price range.

The F-22 is one of the smaller trimarans in the market. Developed in New Zealand, the F-22 is a folding trimaran built for speed. The hulls are made from narrow fiberglass tied together using fiberglass beams and aluminum, minimizing bulk while optimizing speed.

The F-22 is roomy and is not as pricey as other models in the market. This trimaran has two main versions:

12. 2019 Weta Trimaran

The 2019 Weta trimaran is a 14.5-foot (4.4-meter) trimaran featuring a carbon frame, centerboard, rudder foil, and rudder shock. The hull is made from fiberglass and foam. The Weta is built for strength and speed based on these lightweight materials.

The 2019 Weta trimaran is easy to sail and is worth considering whether you want to take a quiet sail, race with your friends, or take kids to a sailing lesson. It has a simple design and is easy to set up independently. Thanks to its collapsible design, this trimaran is easily stored away with minimal space demands.

13. WindRider 17

The 17.4-foot (5.3-meter) WindRider 17 is one of the more versatile trimarans in the market. It packs high performance for a low cost. This trimaran has a light rotating mast to boost performance, and a full-battened mainsail optimizes visibility.

This sailboat is made from rotomolded polyethylene, which is more durable than fiberglass and demands less maintenance.

The WindRider 17 has a comfortable interior and can fit six adults. This is an ideal choice for social sailing for a couple or a family and friends. It’s easy to ride, and a shallow draft allows easy maneuverability.

14. Astus 22.5

If you’re looking for something small but still comfortable, this 22.5-foot trimaran is for you. Built for speed and maneuverability, the Astus 22.5 has optional foils to optimize speed. The modern design, coupled with the spacious interior, can fit up to four beds. Accordingly, this trimaran is suited for family outings.

This trimaran also has a foldable design, collapsing to only 16 feet (4.9 meters) for easy storage.

15. Multi 23 Trimaran

The Multi 23 trimaran has a contemporary design, featuring a vinyl ester and PVC foam core construction. The section below the waterline is made of solid glass for a sturdy base.

The beams are made of lightweight carbon, and the trimaran features a 33-foot (10-meter) aluminum rotating wing mast for optimal harnessing of the wind. While ideal for weekend excursions with family, once rigged with the asymmetrical spinnaker will get your heart pumping.

This trimaran packs high performance at a lower cost than most other options in the market. It’s a good choice if you are looking for a high-performing unit without spending an arm and a leg.

16. Challenger Class Trimaran

The Challenger Trimaran 15 is the best choice for persons with disabilities. It’s designed to provide disabled sailors an opportunity to explore their passion for sailing without worrying about aspects like safety or operation.

A man named Geoff Hold circumnavigated the British Isles in 2007, becoming the first disabled person to achieve this feat. He had quadriplegia.

Living up to its name, the Challenger can withstand harsh weather conditions while blending performance with speed.

Final Thoughts

Admittedly, no trimaran is best for everyone. But whether you are looking to race with your friends, take your loved ones or friends for a cruise over the weekend, or circumnavigate the ocean, you can rest assured that these lightweight trimarans will deliver speed, safety, and comfort to make it worth your while.

These brands are innovatively designed and feature intricate safety mechanisms that make them virtually unsinkable. Give them a shot and begin your ocean adventure.

Basco Boating: A Comprehensive Guide & Introduction to Trimaran Yachts
TheBoatAPP: New Trumarans: Which are the Best Ones
Corsair Marine: Corsair 37
Dragonfly: Dragonfly 28
Rapido Trimarans: Rapido 60
Neel Trimarans: Neel 43
Yachting World: World’s Collect Yachts: Maxi Trimaran MACIF
Yachting Monthly: Dragonfly 28 Performance
Rapido Trimarans: Rapido 40
Dragonfly: Dragon 32
Dragonfly: Dragonfly 40
Yachting World: Dragonfly 40 yacht tour: This cruising trimaran can do 24 knots
Dragonfly: Dragonfly 25
NauticExpo: Dragonfly 25
Yachtworld: Corsair 37 boats for sale
Cruising World: Neel 47 Trimaran: Best Full-Size Multihull0
Neel Trimaran: Neel 47
Multihull Solutions: NEEL 47 Boat Review | Cruising World
Yacht World: 2022 Neel 47 for sale
Farrier International: F-22
Weta Marine: The Boat
WindRider: WindRider 17 Trimaran Sailboat
Astus Boats: Astus 22.5
Boat-specs: Multi 23
National Maritime Museum Cornwall: Challenger Trimaran #1 – BC26

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!

What's the Best Rig for Single-Handed Sailing?

Single-handed sailing takes a special mindset. It's not just the rugged independence, but there's also a very pragmatic need to set the boat up to be handled with no help at all. So what's the best rig?

The best rig for single-handing is the sloop rig. It's simple, has only two sails to worry about and minimal controls, and is easy to rig with furling and other tools to simplify sail handling for the solo sailor.

You can also make a case for the cat rig with a single sail, cutters, and split rigs with smaller individual sails. But how you set the rig up for solo sailing is as important as which rig you pick.

Solo sailing can be a very rewarding test of your seamanship and skills, and mastering those skills means you never have to rely on finding crew to go out for a sail. Whether you're single handing for an afternoon or soloing across an ocean, you'll want to configure your boat specifically for your single-handing needs.

You want ease of use

You have one pair of hands on board with you. There's nobody to hold a line or keep something from slipping, or guide something and keep it under control as you ease or lower it to the deck. It's all on you.

With that in mind, tasks on the boat need to be optimized for single-handed sailing. Everything from placing line clutches to where you store your winch handles has to be set up so you can do it or get to it without making a mess of the task you're doing, because you can't quite reach what you need.

As you learn to sail solo, you'll figure out when you don't have enough hands and where you need to switch something up to make it work better when you're by yourself. But the key to all of this is simplicity . Simpler rigging and simpler sail handling make it easier for you to sail solo. Whether it's a choice of an asymmetrical spinnaker to replace a complex symmetrical kite or the installation of an autopilot, the simpler it is to use, the better.

Sailing safety through simplicity

If you get hurt sailing alone, you can get into real trouble, especially if you lose consciousness. And if you go overboard? There's a reason some solo sailors don't wear life jackets and tethers, because going overboard in the ocean alone is almost always fatal if your boat is under sail.

Directly tied to simplicity is safety. The easier a task is to do, the less chance you will have of making a mistake. Every task you can do without leaving the cockpit is one less change of falling on the deck or off the boat. Furlers and sail handling tools help, but a simpler rig with less to do means fewer chances for injury or mishap.

Part of your setup and equipment choice is driven by keeping you safe while you work, and letting you do as much as you can on the boat without exposing yourself to unneeded risks.

No matter which rig type you end up with, if you're solo sailing you'll want to set the boat up for the easiest handling possible. When things go sideways, you'll want fewer lines and spars flying around to deal with.

Sail handling tools

You can set any boat up with a broad array of sail handling tools to make life for a solo sailor easier. A simple rig with no sail handling is a lot more work than a more complex rig with good equipment.

Sails which furl don't have to be hanked on, fed in tracks, or hoisted, so every sail with a furler becomes a low-effort sail to set and douse single-handed. Sails with luff tracks are very tricky to hoist single handed, and even sails with hanks or sail tracks can be more work to set and douse than furled sails.

You can furl headsails, staysails, mainsails, and even mizzen sails. Though the latter is less common since mizzen sails can be quite small on yawls. They are available with manual furling, electric, and hydraulic options. While the last two give you push-button sail setting, smaller boats stick with a simpler, rope-driven system.

Mast furling isn't for everyone. When it works, it's a dream to use, but if there are malfunctions, it's difficult to get sails up and down. Whether in-boom or in-mast, there are tradeoffs, and for smaller boats, main furling is often avoided.

Convert your winches to self-tailing

A great way to free up your hands is converting your winches to self-tailing winches. There are kits you can easily install yourself, which are affordable too. To learn more, I recommend reading our article on converting your winches to self-tailing yourself .

Mainsail Handling

Stack packs, Lazy Jacks, and Dutchman are just a few of the mainsail control and flaking tools on the market. Their aim is to get the mainsail down in a manageable fashion, as close to flaked for storage as possible. They work differently, but any of them will keep the sail from billowing all over the deck when you drop the halyard, and let you tidy up the main quickly.

Mainsail tracks with track car systems make setting the sail simpler, since you can reliably haul them up and ease them down without binding or sticking. Some car sets are good enough so you can set the main from the cockpit.

Asymmetrical Spinnakers, Code Sails, Snuffers and Dousers

Asymmetrical spinnakers are simpler for off the wind solo sailing than symmetrical spinnakers. Newer "Code sails" are also popular for reaching, as these free-flying sails can be set with a light furler and give excellent performance in light air.

An asymmetrical spinnaker equipped with a "turtle" or "sock" sets and douses easily from the mast.

Short Handed Simplicity

You're looking for a rig which is simpler, even if it's a little less adjustable for better performance. If you want to fly a staysail, for example, it's better to pick a rig which doesn't make you use check stays with the staysail to support the rig. It's just one more step and one more thing to mess with every time you tack.

Other modifications can include simplified sheet car systems, vang and backstay controls run to the cockpit, self-steering wind vanes, autopilots, and strategically placed cam cleats and stoppers.

When you're solo sailing, you'll be busy with any sail changes you need to make. The more complex the rig, the more work to make sail changes. The bigger the sails, the higher the loads, and the more weight and force you'll need to apply to move sails on and off the rig.

While there's no one "best" rig for every sailor, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages to some of the more common rig choices for short handed sailing.

The sloop rig is simple, with one mast and two sails. Most sloops lend themselves to furling on the sails, even on the main. A furling headsail coupled with a self-flaking main with a sail handling system makes for a pretty easy boat to sail shorthanded. On many sloops you can set, douse and reef the sails without leaving the safety of the cockpit.

The main disadvantage to the sloop rig compared to cutters and split rigs is the sails are typically larger.

A cutter is like a single masted sloop rig, but with a permanent staysail inside the jib. The mast is moved back a bit to keep the forces centered, and the boat balanced against more sail area forward. The sails can be smaller, and high cut or "Yankee" style headsails are easy to manage, perform well, and give good visibility.

With furlers on both headsails, a cutter rig is not much different to set and manage sails with than a sloop. You have an extra set of sheets to manage during tacks and jibes, but you can simplify that with a self-tacking staysail. The cutter gives you additional sail options for storm sails and sail combinations for various conditions.

The cat rig is the simplest rig, and for that it is a one to consider. There's one big sail. No spinnakers or jibs. Common cat-rigged boats include the Wylie Cats and the Nonsuch. Off the wind, you just let out the sail and go, and upwind their performance is still quite efficient. Most have a wishbone-style boom to keep the sail trimmed and are simple to control. The rigs are also very simple, an most don't have any stays or wires holding the mast up. Lazy jacks and other sail handling systems are easy to install.

Don't confuse a "cat rig" or "Cat Boat" with a "catamaran." This is a monohull with a single sail.

The downsides are that you have one large sail. There are few options for sail combinations for varying conditions, and there aren't that many of them around.

Split Rigs (Ketches and Yawls)

A split rig can project more sail area with smaller sails. This works well for smaller crews or crews with less physical strength. But it adds some complexity - there's more to do setting the three or four sails than with two. But with good sail handling tools and help, a split rig can be an excellent choice for a solo sailor.

The advantages of smaller sails and lighter loads can't be understated, they are excellent performers on reaches, and you have the best options for sail combinations for all conditions. But they suffer going upwind compared to sloops, and you will have more sails and sail controls to handle for every operation.

Overview of all different rigs

If you want to learn more about the different rig types, for example what makes a cutter a cutter rig, I recommend checking our guide on rig types , which contains examples of each rig and diagrams of the sail plan.

You may also like, what’s the largest boat one person can operate.

So you're looking for something big, but want to go at it alone. Sailing single-handed (also known as short-handed) is perfectly doable, although not always ideal. …

Best Sailboats for One Person (With 9 Examples)

How Big Should a Sailboat Be to Sail Around the World?

Sailboat in front of NYC with Bermuda mainsail and Jib

Guide to Understanding Sail Rig Types (with Pictures)

How To Pick the Best Sailboat To Live On (Full Guide)

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Eight Reasons Why Sailing is the Best Sport in the World

Sailing is the best sport in the world. Whether you sail competitively or not, there’s very little that can beat the sensation of being out on the water, the wind filling the sails, harnessing the power of nature, and relying on your skills and expertise. Here are eight reasons why sailors consider the art and science of sailing to be one of the best things you can do with your time.

It lets you find some peace and quiet
It slows down time and helps us understand ourselves
It lets you get away from it all
It teaches you lots of technical skills and expertise
It increases the sense of freedom and speed
It helps us feel connected to nature
It rewards focus, effort and competition
It teaches us about being part of a team

1. Sailing lets you find some peace and quiet

Why sailing is the best sport in the world? Sailing is a great way to bring peace and quiet into our busy lives; the simple sounds of the wind as it fills the sails, or the water as it flows past the boat can be very relaxing and centering , a perfect antidote to the stresses of the modern world. It gives busy people the understanding that they can relax, whilst at the same time focusing on sailing.

2. Being on a boat slows down time and helps us understand ourselves

Some sailors gain a profound sense of oneness with their boat, the sea, and the wind. The boat becomes a self-contained universe, the process of sailing becomes all-consuming. Any sense of time changes and expands, small moments becoming more important. Sailing can be a meditative, reflective and engrossing experience.

3. Sailing lets you get away from it all

As you step onto the boat, the busy world that you’re so used to starts to fade away. As you sail away from the shore, the things that happen on land become small, background concerns. The boat is the center of the world, and everything that matters is right there, in the boat or immediately around it. It’s not as much about where you are sailing to, but the enjoyment and challenge of the journey itself.

4. Being a sailor teaches you lots of technical skills and expertise

A large part of sailing is about the experience, self-confidence, and learning the right skills. From moment to moment, you develop an understanding of what needs to happen to keep yourself, your crew, and the boat safe and get to where you need to be. Every moment on the water is different, and being able to react and deal with any situation that comes up is a challenge that many sailors relish. The combination of artistry and science when sailing is a great way for people to enhance their understanding of both, and get a real feeling of accomplishment. In addition to the mental skills needed, sailing is also a good way to stay fit, as there’s plenty of exercise to be had! And yes, this is another reason why sailing is the best sport!

5. Being on a boat increases the sense of freedom and speed

There’s great freedom in sailing, that of gliding effortlessly across the water, the boat slicing through the waves as the wind fills the sails . If you’re in a race, the perfect breeze with the right boat, trim, and technique means that you can speed along and get a real appreciation of space, time, excitement, and life.

6. Sailing is a great way to feel connected to nature

Sailing is a very pure form of being with nature. Whether that’s capturing the wind in the sails to propel you along, feeling the currents in the river or the sea, or understanding how the weather is going to affect the boat, you learn a tremendous amount of respect for the natural world . Sailing is also very environmentally friendly; you’re not polluting the sky or the ocean with fossil fuels, but traveling the same way that mankind has done for thousands of years.

7. Sailing rewards focus, effort and competition

Sailing needs a good, consistent, constant focus; it demands your attention. The wind and water are dynamic, and understanding any changes that you need to make, especially if you are sailing competitively, is vital to doing well. If you’re racing, you also learn to refine and improve techniques very quickly, whether that’s boat positioning, trimming the sails, or distributing weight to build up speed.

8. Being a sailor is about being part of a team

You can sail alone or with a crew . When you’re alone, it can lead to some profound, reflective moments, but when you’re with a crew it deepens the sense of camaraderie and trust between you . There are also lots of opportunities to chat with people and develop good communication skills when sailing; you can be an instructor and mentor, a captain, or a crew member.

Sailing can bring you closer to others, enhance your own experiences and deepen your connection with the world around you. It demands attention, creates challenges, and helps you understand your own strengths. Do you agree with us? Let us know if also for you sailing is the best sport in the world!

Written by Paul Maplesden

10 Sailing Tips Essentials to Make You a Better Sailor!

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IMAGES

Single handed sailboat
Best Single-Handed Bluewater Sailboats
11 Best Single Handed BlueWater Sailboats
11 Best Single Handed BlueWater Sailboats
11 Best Single Handed BlueWater Sailboats
10 Best Sailboats for Solo Sailing

VIDEO

Sailing Single Handed, And Safety Measures: are they overrated?
Single Handed Sailing Around The Rough Seas Off Land's End
Sailing Single Handed #49
Is This the Best Sailboat to Live Aboard? 43' Shucker Motor Sailor (Full Tour)
First solo sailing with a Wayfarer dinghy
Single Handed Sailing Adventure: solo sailing the surf in Cornwall

COMMENTS

10 Best Sailboats for Solo Sailing (One Person)
Catalina 315. nwyachting. This is a nifty pocket cruiser that raises the quality bar for solo sailors with extreme comfort and performance. With just a 9.45 meter hull, the Catalina 315 has more internal room than most classics and remains superb for solo sailing.
11 Best Single Handed Bluewater Sailboats
Hallberg Rassy 352. This is a sturdy and high-quality sailboat built between 1978 to 1991. It features a progressive design, combining a walk through with the aft-cabin from the main saloon. It is made with a tall and standard rig each supported on double and single spreaders, respectively.
Best Sailboats for One Person (With 9 Examples)
In this article, I talk about single-handed sailing and look at the nine best sailboats for one person, ranging from small lake dinghies all the way to comfy cruisers capable of oceanic crossings. Here are the best sailboats for solo sailing. RS Aero. Jeanneau Sunfast 3200. Beneteau Oceanis 62.
7 Legendary Solo Bluewater Sailboats Worth Considering
Solo bluewater sailboats are designed to be sailed by a single person, making them ideal for solo circumnavigation or long-distance cruising. You can get the Contessa 32 and Westsail 32 for as little as $30,000. The maintenance and repair costs of the seven boats range from $5,000 to $50,000 per year. Marina fees and insurance can range from ...
Best Sailboats to Singlehand
Keep in mind that the most important factor for single-handed sailing is to make your boat easier to sail. So, now let's see the best boats for single-handed sailing! HANSE 371. The Hanse 371 was built from 1999 until the mid-2000s. The boat offered a selection of either deep or shallow low center of gravity fin keels.
Best Single Hand Sailboats: The Top Choices for Solo Sailing
Short answer: Best single hand sailboats The best single hand sailboats are typically small in size and designed for easy maneuverability by a single person. Some popular options include the Laser, Sunfish, and RS Aero. These boats offer excellent performance, stability, and agility, making them ideal for solo sailing enthusiasts. 1) Exploring the Best Single
Single Handed Sailboats: The Ultimate Guide for Solo Sailing
Short answer single handed sailboats: Single handed sailboats, also known as dinghies or small keelboats, are sailing vessels designed for easy handling by a single person. They typically feature smaller sizes, efficient rigging systems, and self-tacking jibs to facilitate solo sailing. Popular examples include the Laser, Solo, and Sunfish. Exploring the World of Single Handed
Best Sailboats for Solo Sailing
The best solo sailing sailboats are easy to maneuver and have all the necessary safety features. The Jeanneau Sunfast 3200, J/109, Hunter Channel 31, West Wight Potter 19, and Cape Dory 28 are all great choices. ... fun, and competitive sailboat that is well-suited for racing and cruising. With a comfortable interior, easy single-handed sailing ...
Singlehanded sailing for the first time
For gybing either of them, you would be best to snuff or drop the sail and reset on the new side. Singlehanded sailing checklist Boat. Boat well maintained with all known faults rectified; Sail handling arrangement set up with lines back to cockpit if possible; Autopilot or self-steering set up, calibrated and working, with remote if available
Solo Sailing: Best Boats for Single-Handed Sailing
This sailboat's key advantage is its self-tacking jib and a fully automated sail handling system that enables smooth sailing single-handedly. The incorporation of a performance-oriented hull, large sail area, and unique rigging designs contribute to its excellent speed and agility. The Hanse 458's high degree of automation and efficient layout ...
Single-Handed Sailing: A Complete Guide With Tips
Boat and Equipment for Single-Handed Sailing. In principle, the same applies to the yacht. The yacht should not be too big for the beginning. I recommend a size for the first stroke alone of no more than 27 or 28 feet. With this size, everything is easily accessible, and if necessary, you can still push the boat off the pole or the jetty if it ...
What are the Best Single-Handed Sailboats and Catamarans?
5 Great Sailboats for Single-Handed Cruisers Monohulls Rigged for Easy-Operation. The good news is that you can rig nearly any boat for safe and easy single-handing. The newer the boat, the more likely it will already be set up for single-handing. Modern items like line organizers and rope clutches make it all the easier.
Best Sailboats of 2022: From Top To Sail
Picking out a great vessel is imperative to enjoying a great sailing experience. We have selected the creme de la creme of sailboats suitable for a range of budgets and needs. Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380. Beneteau First 44. Fountaine Pajot Isla 40. Hylas 57. Leopard 42.
Every Single-Handed Sailing Technique the Pros Use
An autopilot system can be your best friend while single-handed sailing. It allows you to maintain a steady course while carrying out other tasks, like trimming sails or preparing food. Familiarize yourself with your boat's autopilot system and understand its limitations, such as in heavy seas or strong winds. When relying on autopilot, always ...
10 Best Solo Bluewater Catamarans and What Makes Them Great!
The ten best solo bluewater catamarans have unique designs, are about 40 feet (12.2m) long, boast an autopilot, all lines to the cockpit, and can provide a safe ocean passage with only one sailor on board. Popular short-handed bluewater cat models include the Manta 42, Dolphin 42, and the FP Belize 43. Whether you're looking to buy a brand ...
Going Solo: Getting Started with Single-handed Sailing
On November 8th, 2020, 17 registered single-handed sailors will set off on the most challenging sailing endeavor in the history of yacht racing: the Vendée Globe, a solo, around-the-world, nonstop marathon, in which no outside assistance is allowed. In the 31 years since the inception of this race, a total of 167 sailors have started the race ...
Solo dinghies for single-handed sailing
The boat's agility and responsiveness allow for enjoyable solo trips on both calm and challenging waters. 2. Laser. The Laser sailboat is known for its speed and maneuverability. Solo sailors appreciate its single-handed design, which includes a single sail and a simple rigging system. It's a competitive choice for racing enthusiasts. 3 ...
Top 10 Sailboats Easiest & Best to Single Hand
I would suggest something like a J-34c, Express 34, or a Farr 1020 (I routinely single-hand the 38 foot version of this boat). All are pretty handy to sail since they are easily driven hulls and can sail with minimally overlapping headsails, without giving up sailing ability. Jeff.
Best solo sailboat / single-handed: choosing your sailing yacht
How to choose the best solo or single-handed liveaboard sailboat? Best size (30ft, 32ft, etc.), safety and performance features, easy to manoeuvre, etc. Our sailing boats. RM890+ RM970+ RM1080; RM1180; RM1380; Brokerage; ... which make them great single-handed sailing yachts: the deck fittings, the layout, the running rigging organization, and ...
16 Best Trimarans For Sailing Around The World (And a Few For
This trimaran retails for $595,000, making it a cheaper option than the Rapido 60. 5. Dragonfly 40. The Dragonfly 40 measures 40 feet (12 meters) in length. It features high-comfort standards, making it one of the best trimarans in the market for taking your family for a cruise.
What's the Best Rig for Single-Handed Sailing?
The best rig for single-handing is the sloop rig. It's simple, has only two sails to worry about and minimal controls, and is easy to rig with furling and other tools to simplify sail handling for the solo sailor. You can also make a case for the cat rig with a single sail, cutters, and split rigs with smaller individual sails.
25 Best Beginner Sailing Dinghies
1. Twelve of the best training boats Sailing schools, clubs and training centers use a variety of boats with beginners, including singlehanders such as the Pico, Hartley 10 and the RS Quba, the latter having three rigs catering from entry level to more experienced sailors. There's also a range of larger training dinghies from builders such as RS, Topper, Laser and Hartley Boats.
Eight Reasons Why Sailing is the Best Sport in the World
And yes, this is another reason why sailing is the best sport! 5. Being on a boat increases the sense of freedom and speed. There's great freedom in sailing, that of gliding effortlessly across the water, the boat slicing through the waves as the wind fills the sails. If you're in a race, the perfect breeze with the right boat, trim, and ...