Largest boat for two people to handle typically

[Pseudomind]

OK, I know there is always an exception to the rule, or someone is or thinks they are so much better, so staying under any required guidelines/laws for maximum boat size mandated by law

What typically is the largest size boat two people can probably handle and maintain comfortably? Husband/Wife or significant other operation

I am guessing it to be probably at around 50 feet maximum

I see all size boats, but I see very little which mentions when it is necessary to have an additional crew person to operate

Maybe I have just overlooked the additional crew requirement someplace?:huh:

Thanks

 

[Four Suns]

For "two" people?! It's bigger than 50 feet. I take my boat out alone all the time and unless it's blowing a gale, it's pretty easy to dock. Now the 20 foot bow rider jet boat I needed 4 people to dock that stupid thing (just kidding). I see boats in the 60 and 70 foot range all the time with husband/wife crews (or hottie little girlfriend).

You have to remember that bigger boats don't move around all that much from external forces when docking. Takes a lot of wind to push 20-25 tons of boat. However, when they do get pushed, you better be able to use the engines to control them. Likewise, your docking skills have to be better as you can't just "get close" and pull it in with the lines either.

I think maintenance is the bigger issue. Washing and waxing big boats sucks... But still, two people can do it.

 

[Morpheus]

I would say with todays electronic equipment and all the great drives and systems out there now on a new 2008/2009 boat I bet with little to no practice (in calm conditions of course) even the biggest boat searay makes could be docked by one person.

 

[Converse48]

For two competent people... definitely in the 50+ range. My parents live aboard their 42' single screw Krogen and they see other cruising couples about boats as big as 60 feet. The more size-limiting factor (at least for snowbird/live-aboards) seems to be finding reliable transient dockage along the ICW for boats bigger than 50 feet.

It all comes down to the boat (i.e. what kind of thrusters, windage, prop spacing) and the crew.

 

[fwebster]

I'm fortunate to get to run a lot of different boats for various reasons. One of those is a 55 Viking convertible and it is a dream to handle by yourself...once you get the hang of the 3-4 second delay in the gears. I really don't think there is any limit, short of the quirks of the individual boats........like the 54 Hat I sometimes run is easier to manage then the Viking because the Viking has a closed bridge which makes it really hard to communicate to deck hands when docking.

In the Sea Ray world, if you mean the biggest boat a couple can comfortably manage, I think its going to be somewhere about 50 ft.........bigger than that and the dock lines get so heavy and cumbersome that your wife isn't going to be much help....the stern anchor is too heavy for her to lift, my 45 has more fiberglass acerage than I care to wax by myself, bottoms get too big to repaint in a DIY yard, etc.

 

[sbw1]

We boat with a couple who run a 78' Hatt. Absolutely not a problem. They hire a local detailer to do washes when they cruise. Another couple runs a 45' Viking with out issue. In his heyday, Rich DeVos from Amway used to dock his 95' plus Hatt in Harbor Springs with only the help of a dock boy who grabbed lines for him.

 

[sbw1]

As a practical matter, it is hard to find slips on your schedule once you get into the 50' range on Lake Michigan. Just moving the boat requires cell phone calls to the port you are going to and waiting once you get there for the slip to open up. The ideal size for a couple cruising on Lake Michigan is around 40'. Most of our marinas have lots of 40 foot slips, and you can pretty much travel where you want without making reservations.

 

[Hampton]

I'm fortunate to not have to worry about such things. I don't see myself ever being in a position to buy a boat over 50', or maybe not even close to that.

 

[Sea Gull]

My wife and I can easily handle our 58. I also often single hand it when I need to go to the fuel dock or otherwise move the boat from place to place. As the boats get bigger, the issue is not handling by 2 people, but more an issue of constant maintenance chores that keep the vessel operational.

 

[Nehalennia]

I trailer our boat and this last weekend went out by myself. I was comfortable doing it and I would still be comfortable trailering a 280DA by myself, but anything larger, while trailering, an extra hand would be nice.

I agree with the others, that if in the water, something in the 50+ range would need that second pair of hands.

 

[Boatingfool]

Although I'm no going to tell the other half :grin:, I basically dock the 56' myself all the time... with two people on the ball I'd suppose another 20-30ft would be easily manageable.