34 to large to singlehand?

[snider]

Hello,
I'm buying a boat next year and after looking for the last four years I always keep coming back to the Pacific Seacraft 34. I'm buying to liveaboard, and since I have a very transportable job, I plan on doing soom extensive cruising, taking a few months a year off, to cruise to Bermuda and the carribean. Eventually taking it to the West coast. I really like the crealock 34, but I wonder if it'll be to much to handle on my own? I like the 34 so I will have have room for family to crew for some of the trips, but inevitably, I'll prob end up singlehanding some. I'm 25 so it's not the physical aspect, just the ergonomics of a boat that large. What do you guys think.
Brandon

[Valiente]

Consider refitting with oversized winches and make sure you've got a bulletproof autopilot, and you should be fine. The Pacific Seacraft 34 is a fine and weatherly boat and is well-suited to the Caribbean. Your main problem won't be handling the boat, particularly if you develop conservative habits like reefing early and using preventers, jacklines, etc. The main problem will be staying alert on watch when on passage. Radar and pick-up crew are your friends here.

[administrator]

when she told me about it... I didn't believe it.

but it seems legitimate...

http://www.genpets.com/index.php

[sailingdog]

Also, leading many of the mast lines back will make it much easier for you to single hand a boat. I'm working on doing this on my boat right now.

I am planning on running the mainsail halyard, reefing lines (for first and second mainsail reefs), outhaul, topping lift, spinnaker halyard, spinnaker sock control lines, roller furling lines will all be led back...I'm also planning on installing some line clutches on the mast, to help with controlling the topping lift, mainsail halyard, jib halyard, and spinnaker halyards.

When I installed my boom brake, I led the line for it aft, to start with.

[Jeff_H]

Thirty four feet is not too large to singlehand. I routinely singlehand my 38 footer in all kinds of conditions. That said, my boat is a little lighter and better ballasted making her a little easier to sail. (The PSC 34 is a little lighlty ballasted for their actual sailing weight) Also the rig on the Pacific Seacraft is less than ideal for a single-hander unless you are in a venue with winds typically between 15 and 20 knots where you can use the yankee instead of the Genoa. You will want to beef up the 27 gallon standard fuel tankage which is on the small size for a serious cruiser of this weight with a 40 hp engine.

Jeff

[Johnrb]

Sailnet Administrator:

Off topic but regarding Genpets – it’s a small world. The creator of Genpets is a close friend and former high school buddy of my nephew. I’ve met the artist several times – nice person. Here is some info:

http://www.brandejs.ca/index.php
http://www.brandejs.ca/portfolio5/gp01.php

Here is the newest building of OCAD (Ontario College of Art and Design) where Adam studied. Jeff H may have some comments as I believe Jeff is an architect. Personally, I love the building - and no one is neutral about it.

http://www.arcspace.com/architects/a...rp_center.html

[Surfesq]

Jeff: It's a gag in case you have not figured it out yet! But what a clever idea. lol.

I single-handed my 37 foot sailboat across the Atlantic, to Bermuda and back and to New England so 34 is not too big. I always liked the idea of running the rigging to the cockpit but never got around to it. I usually just popped on the autopilot and went forward to raise, reef or lower the main.

[snider]

yea I think this boat will be a great liveaboard for me. It's narrow beam really cuts back on the space available, but I'd rather have the better seakeeping ability. I think It'll be a good boat for two also, when I find a girl that'll put up with me. I'd like to hear from some people who have sailed these boats. I really wish I could find an owners association. I want the cutter rig, with a hank on stay'sl, and I'll get an asym spin for the downwind work. I'm not to worried about the fuel, after all it is a sailboat, and I like to sail, I'm never in a hurry to get anywhere. People always say that when you find your boat, you'll know it. Well I only wish the one I fell in love with wasn't so $$$$. See you guys out there next year! Brandon

[Surfesq]

http://www.pacificseacraft.com/cgi-b...p?0051,contact

[Omatako]

I sailed a 36 single handing most of the time. I had everything back to the cockpit. Halyards, reefing lines, topping lift, the only things that weren't taken back were the spinny pole up and down hauls but handling a spinny single handed is a bit of a mission no matter how you look at it. Lazy jacks also mostly remove the need to go up on deck.

It's also useful to install single line reefing on the main which makes the reefing a simple matter. A set of rope clutches on the coach roof, one for each line make it real easy to manage it all.

And 34 foot is definitely not to big to single-hand