Top 10 Sailboats Easiest & Best to Single Hand

[Ninefingers]

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.

[Diceman]

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

[CrazyRu]

Freedom and Nonsuch... No brainer. Rest of the boats are far behind.

Freedom 32 brochure
http://freedomyachts.org/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=8567

[ehmanta]

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.

[killarney_sailor]

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.

[Ninefingers]

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.

[Skol]

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

[MedSailor]

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

[Diceman]

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

[Waltthesalt]

I vote the Flicka. Smaller is easier.