Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

[cww]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

“I single hand all the time cause I’m the greatest bla bla bla” ever see one of these chuckleheads boats? Swim platforms half ripped off 13 million bumpers hanging all over and looking like the runner up in a demolition derby. And then there’s the trail of destruction they leave in their wakes. Don’t believe me just check out boat fails in the interweb it’s scary.

Hey, I don't think I'm great or even that good. I'm the idiot who took his boat out with no props on it a year ago and crashed into the dock behind me. I will cop to that the swim platform on my Sea-Ray looked exactly as you described. I'm just saying that out of all the boats I've had the motoryacht-style hatt's have been the easiest to single-hand because of the design. It's more that I can get away with it because the boat is that easy, not that I'm good at it. LOL

 

[Kquaine]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

I have a 67' CPMY and I am learning how to single handle the beast. The first thing I noticed is that from either the upper or lower helm I could not see the cockpit or swim platform when trying to dock aft first. Fortunately my boat has a gears and throttle control in the cockpit area. This helps immensely assuming you are not in tight quarters and have to worry about the bow. My cockpit station does not have bow thruster control. Where my other stations do. So I need to add a third thruster joy stick.

The second thing I learned is to get a midship line tied off as soon as possible. Tying off a midship line gives you all the time to then tie off the bow and stern. When I come up to a side berth such as a gas dock or pier, the dock cleat tends to me directly below the boat deck. Almost vertical. It is difficult to lasso the dock cleat from the deck of the ship. So I usually have to bump the boat as close to the pier as possible and then run down and jump on the pier to tie off. So it is extremely important to have all your lines and fenders pre-staged. I put lines out on both sides even if I only intend to tie off on one side just to be safe. You never know what maneuvering moves you will have to make.

If your docking skills are fairly sound on smaller boats and you properly prepare and practice docking maneuvers then a 67' can be single handed.

 

[Pascal]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

Never jump on the dock until your lines are secure and that goes for crew too. If the dock is too low and your breast line is vertical barely holding on the cleat, try setting a spring line instead

I ve seen too many folks getting hurt or ending up in the drink when jumping off an unsecured boat

 

[Sadey]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

My hatts off to all of you single handlers! No fricking way would I consider it unless my wife or who ever else is the second person onboard is incapacitated. Doable okay I’ll give you that but why? Are you that lonely, desperate or that much of an a…… that you can’t get 1 person to go with you?

 

[rsmith]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

Like Clint Eastwood said “a man needs to know his limitations” and it’s not just boat handling skills. If you’re old obese have hip knee problems lack the strength and speed to quickly move around the boat and secure lines you have no business putting other peoples boats or equipment at risk. Because 9 times out of ten the false bravado and over confidence impacts someone else. The reality check is you’re probably not 20 30 or even 40 anymore. You can afford the boat pay someone for help don’t be a self absorbed fool

 

[Boatsb]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

We have a bunch of boats between $3 and 30,000,000 in the marina where I do most of my work. We have professional Captains on most. One decided to move a boat on his own and did some damage to his hull luckily missing the 114 Hatt next to him by a few inches.

Anyone single handing over about 40 foot is taking chances with his and other peoples boats. One little problem and it goes bad quickly. I don't care how good you are there's no excuse for not having basic levels of crew.

As someone said. How much of an a-hole do you need to be to not have anyone to go with on your big bad motoryacht

 

[Pascal]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

There are various reasons I’ve had to singlehand …from having to go get fuel and not having anyone available to a last minute run to the Exumas and my crew wasn’t ready and flew there to Meet the boat instead

Indeed it’s all about knowing your personal limitations as well as the weather.

No risk no danger. The only thing a crew can do is pass the line ashore… if one needs crew to fend off or wrestle the boat into position, they don’t belong at the helm.

 

[Dan Mapes]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

Just noting that no one is talking to doing the loop single handed and how to manage all of the locks in that manner.
If you are in a crowded lock and things go wrong, it's not going to be pleasant. It doesn't have to be crowded when things go wrong in a lock.

 

[Sadey]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

So the high water alarm goes off and you’re in a narrow stretch of whatever or there are coral heads either side, who goes to check the leak and when you do and find your filling fast with water who plugs the leak and who keeps the boat of the rocks. You smell fire in that same narrow whatever, who goes to inspect or fight the fire while the other keeps the boat off the rocks or out of the way of a large 15 barge tow in a tight turn in a narrow channel? It’s not about ability, it’s about making the smart and safe call for everyone, not just the captain. Now, I’m no pro, not even a weekend amateur with my handling skills but a go/no go decision isn’t based on skill.

 

[Pascal]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

Locking solo? Hell no.

As to emergencies, sure anything can happen… realistically though, if you have a fire, engines will be shut down by the fire system anyway…. First thing to do in most emergency is probably to drop the anchor. Yes having a qualified crew to take the helm is always good but not critical.

As always the go/nogo decision is based on conditions.

 

[brettportzer]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

Just noting that no one is talking to doing the loop single handed and how to manage all of the locks in that manner.
If you are in a crowded lock and things go wrong, it's not going to be pleasant. It doesn't have to be crowded when things go wrong in a lock.

There is an 80+ ye old fella named Herb Seaton that is always on the great loop FB pages and stuff.

Did the loop solo 3 times, in a 53’ not Hatteras boat.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

I think the question was based on the idea he "preferred" to have some alone time. I don't think it was based on any inability to find help or desire to be daring. Perhaps it would be kind give the OP a little leeway, , it was just a question as to feasibility.

I have to agree with the posts about when dealing with adversity. Just yesterday on about a 10 hour cruise I had to use the bathroom 3 times and check on the functionality of the stabilizers. I think that having to leave the helm while underway is one of the biggest issues besides the locks / docking / unfavorable wind conditions, or weather etc.

I think if you go through the list of potential issues here and do some brain storming / problem solving you could eliminate some of the potential issues. Things like cockpit controls, those fancy electronic controls maybe that magically hold your boat in place at the push of a button (feasibility? and cost?). Calling ahead to each location for the help of a dockhand? Most marinas are happy to lend a helping hand. Those cheesy looking docking sticks really work good despite there plastic PVC nature.

You could get the boat and with temporary help on board, practice docking for a day straight and figure out all the things you need to do to make it easier, and learn the intricacies and difficulties with the boat.

If you overcome as many of the issues as possible, then maybe your are only half nuts.

Then again, if you DON'T do the trip you might not get the mental health break you probably need.

 

[captruffcs]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

I think the question was based on the idea he "preferred" to have some alone time. I don't think it was based on any inability to find help or desire to be daring. Perhaps it would be kind give the OP a little leeway, , it was just a question as to feasibility.

I have to agree with the posts about when dealing with adversity. Just yesterday on about a 10 hour cruise I had to use the bathroom 3 times and check on the functionality of the stabilizers. I think that having to leave the helm while underway is one of the biggest issues besides the locks / docking / unfavorable wind conditions, or weather etc.

I think if you go through the list of potential issues here and do some brain storming / problem solving you could eliminate some of the potential issues. Things like cockpit controls, those fancy electronic controls maybe that magically hold your boat in place at the push of a button (feasibility? and cost?). Calling ahead to each location for the help of a dockhand? Most marinas are happy to lend a helping hand. Those cheesy looking docking sticks really work good despite there plastic PVC nature.

You could get the boat and with temporary help on board, practice docking for a day straight and figure out all the things you need to do to make it easier, and learn the intricacies and difficulties with the boat.

If you overcome as many of the issues as possible, then maybe your are only half nuts.

Then again, if you DON'T do the trip you might not get the mental health break you probably need.

Thank you Bob - I was reading through the comments and it was starting to piss me off, then I came across yours. Hope you’re doing well. Capt Ruff - Dionysus

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

So the high water alarm goes off and you’re in a narrow stretch of whatever or there are coral heads either side, who goes to check the leak and when you do and find your filling fast with water who plugs the leak and who keeps the boat of the rocks. You smell fire in that same narrow whatever, who goes to inspect or fight the fire while the other keeps the boat off the rocks or out of the way of a large 15 barge tow in a tight turn in a narrow channel? It’s not about ability, it’s about making the smart and safe call for everyone, not just the captain. Now, I’m no pro, not even a weekend amateur with my handling skills but a go/no go decision isn’t based on skill.

This is SPOT ON!! I know a guy who had a generator room fire underway. The engines didn't shut down and the crew discharged the halon system for that room only. You just don't know what might happen. Two is the minimum on any boat that size while underway.

 

[rsmith]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

Locking solo? Hell no.

As to emergencies, sure anything can happen… realistically though, if you have a fire, engines will be shut down by the fire system anyway…. First thing to do in most emergency is probably to drop the anchor. Yes having a qualified crew to take the helm is always good but not critical.

As always the go/nogo decision is based on conditions.

That worked out real well in Baltimore

 

[Sadey]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

The one thing that hasn’t been mentioned in this thread is how much of the difference beam width makes in single handling.

 

[Freeebird]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

OK…
I’m planning a divorce, & moving away from Calif.
I’ve had a 1983 48MY for 15 years. (100Ton ticket 11 years.)
I regularly (and competently) single hand it - without thrusters.
I’m looking at a 1981 61 (extended to 67 by Hargrave Yachts?- with a bow thruster ) as my new boat/apartment on the East Coast - while I figure out life. Planning to do the Loop. Some Bahamas time too.
Alone.

Am I nuts?

You’re not nuts, and sorry about the divorce thing.

As others have said, the 61 wouid be easier to singlehand than your 48 with quicker/easier access to the deck. Sure, there are scenarios where having a second member aboard is nice, but not mandatory. There are those who have singlehanded The Loop, and locks are no big deal, with the exception of the Welland Canal where you aren’t allowed to singlehand. It that case, you wouid just have to rent a mate if you can’t find a volunteer.

Yes, things can go wrong, but it just is what it is… a calculated risk. The boat has a spare engine along with a bow thruster. What else could you need?

 

[Captain Ralph]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

After all these comments, I have two thoughts that need to be reminded;
Common sense and Insurance compliance.

Since your asking, That common sense issue is in question.

My partner received a note from his insurance company last year; Over 20M will not be operated by less than 2 vertical bodies.

So, What do you think is safe?
What does your insurance company think is safe?

 

[Pascal]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

The insurance policy on the 84 I used to run and occasionally single hand had no restrictions on minimum crew and I read it very carefully.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Re: Reality Check please …. Single handing a 67 ?

The insurance policy on the 84 I used to run and occasionally single hand had no restrictions on minimum crew and I read it very carefully.

The gentleman I was talking about made some direct calls (no agent). Picked up a better policy that included his tender and no min crew restrictions.
However, I know some couples with this restriction in their policy but not an issue.

May not apply here but just purchasing a larger boat does not automatically mean your insurable.

Banks and insurance companies are going to dictate more and more as we try to escape on our own boats.