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Crazy?
Rather than decide the length of the boat first, I would initially determine the safety features, comforts, and necessities that should be aboard. I would then make it a point to see every boat that I could so that I would know which boat contained what. If I found a boat that contained all of the safety features, comforts, and necessities I required, I would then know the length of the boat I would need. It would not surprise me if the boat turned out to be considerably less than 43 feet.
Many responses refer to age/health/strength issues. These are real concerns and must be addressed. Fortunately, advances in rigging and sail handling make it possible for a single hander to manage a large spread of sail. Take the opportunity to investigate what''s available.
Self tailing winches are a must. So is an extra winch handle that is the longest you can find. As an example, a 10" handle provides 25% more leverage than an 8" handle.
You specify a sloop. In any length, a sloop requires larger sails and offers less flexibility than a cutter or ketch. Smaller sails and more combinations can make single handing less taxing and considerably more comfortable.
All head sails should be on furlers. I''m partial to the old fashioned kind with a wire luff built into the sail. These are hoisted apart from the forestay and are dropped to the deck in the event of a sail change or jam.
If the mainsail is not roller furled, then it should at least be restrained by a Dutchman system or lazy jacks. A Stack-Pack, or Mack-Pack is not a bad idea either. (Both maintain websites.) An easy to work reefing system with three sets of reef points falls in the category of "necessity". Stuggling on a slippery deck in a blow, with what seems to be an acre of wet sail that weighs a ton, will quickly sap the strength of an Olympic class weight lifter. Get all of the "mechanical" help you can.
The weather is often the "unknown" in the equation. As long as it''s favorable, it''s of no consequence. When it''s unfavorable, you, as well as your boat, will be put to the test. Most serious sailors find that the boat is stronger than they are.
Whether you can or will do it is not the question. When you are out there, just a few miles offshore as well as in the middle of an ocean, the question is whether the boat is configured and equipped to enable you to do it.
This turned out to be longer than I expected, yet it only scratches the surface.
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