[negrini]

Same here, I'm always alone as wife care on our 3 little animals to not fall overboard or kill themselves. I found it particularly far more easy to single hand than any other previous boats due to deck/rig arrangements, also the large stern figure, make for a more stability. I mean, gusts not surprise me, and also furling mast gives me peace when changing weather. I feel boat very predicable, and some little action ahead minimize surprises. Previous boat had windlass switch at weels, and for twice I damaged the bow by handling it incorrectly, then wife is sometimes needed when leaving a windy anchorage. Otherwise I consider it 100% single handled. I decided not install this switch for now, but if I could educate myself for a more cautious use of windlass unattended at bow, I would feel more confident; I mean intall it if you are extremally cautious. Regarding inverter, Beneteau offered Xantrex 3KVA but this is modified sine wave (not pure sine) and I have some sensitive arrangements (TV+iPod touch+BoatTheater, etc) that prevented me to use it. I have the Honda EU2000i, and I'm very confortable using it eventually for microwave, alternating with AC and eventually charging batts. I have not decided yet, but firing the genset just for a popcorn is tiring me, but I'd use another inverter instead, pure sine. 1.5KVA - 2 KVA is sufficient for the microwave, but I melted several inverters before, realizing that this must be overdimensioned (say 3KVA). We live in tropics averaging 100's almost yearound, so never considered a heater (except for the waterheater). Regarding waterline, some reports say the ration waterlineXbean is much beter on 43 if compared to 40 or 46.