Largest Motor Yacht you can handle without a crew?
Discussion
Morning. I'm in Lottery win mode this morning, and with that comes a certain amount of daydreaming. I'm single, early 40's, no wife, no kids, I'm a playboy. I'm James Bond!
So, with that in mind, I'd obviously be looking for a yacht to do my island hopping round the Balearics. What's the largest motor yacht that, with obvious training etc, that I could quite happily run myself without the need for a crew of any kind? Does it come down to size as to when a crew (and by crew I mean a Captain and at least someone manning the engine room full time)?
Put it this way, could I easily run this around on my own?
http://www.sunseeker.com/showboat.php?bid=28
Simon.
So, with that in mind, I'd obviously be looking for a yacht to do my island hopping round the Balearics. What's the largest motor yacht that, with obvious training etc, that I could quite happily run myself without the need for a crew of any kind? Does it come down to size as to when a crew (and by crew I mean a Captain and at least someone manning the engine room full time)?
Put it this way, could I easily run this around on my own?
http://www.sunseeker.com/showboat.php?bid=28
Simon.
Simon Bags said:
Morning. I'm in Lottery win mode this morning, and with that comes a certain amount of daydreaming. I'm single, early 40's, no wife, no kids, I'm a playboy. I'm James Bond!
So, with that in mind, I'd obviously be looking for a yacht to do my island hopping round the Balearics. What's the largest motor yacht that, with obvious training etc, that I could quite happily run myself without the need for a crew of any kind? Does it come down to size as to when a crew (and by crew I mean a Captain and at least someone manning the engine room full time)?
Put it this way, could I easily run this around on my own?
http://www.sunseeker.com/showboat.php?bid=28
Simon.
I think the main issue is mooring at harbours on your own and your confidence! I have a 22' motorboat and I don't feel massively confident taking it out on my own - but others would have no problem at all. But a large sunseeker entirely on my own? Not sure.So, with that in mind, I'd obviously be looking for a yacht to do my island hopping round the Balearics. What's the largest motor yacht that, with obvious training etc, that I could quite happily run myself without the need for a crew of any kind? Does it come down to size as to when a crew (and by crew I mean a Captain and at least someone manning the engine room full time)?
Put it this way, could I easily run this around on my own?
http://www.sunseeker.com/showboat.php?bid=28
Simon.
Engines don't require 'manning' particularly, they're either working or their not.

NDA said:
I think the main issue is mooring at harbours on your own and your confidence! I have a 22' motorboat and I don't feel massively confident taking it out on my own - but others would have no problem at all. But a large sunseeker entirely on my own? Not sure.
Engines don't require 'manning' particularly, they're either working or their not.
Confidence wouldn't be a problem, I am James Bond after all. Well, for today anyway.Engines don't require 'manning' particularly, they're either working or their not.

Well that's given me food for thought on what I can buy tomorrow.
Cheers.
NDA said:
I think the main issue is mooring at harbours on your own and your confidence! I have a 22' motorboat and I don't feel massively confident taking it out on my own - but others would have no problem at all. But a large sunseeker entirely on my own? Not sure.
Engines don't require 'manning' particularly, they're either working or their not.
But, but.... I thought boats needed an grease soaked mechanic with an oil can constantly making sure the big piston bearings are lubricated?Engines don't require 'manning' particularly, they're either working or their not.

Or is that only on ships?

Simon Bags said:
Put it this way, could I easily run this around on my own?
http://www.sunseeker.com/showboat.php?bid=28
No chance!http://www.sunseeker.com/showboat.php?bid=28
You could drive it on the open sea easily enough, engines/navigation etc would all be easy single handed and pretty much completely automated. Modern yachts use big marine diesels that for the most part look after themselves.
Mooring that boat (and IMO, anything over about 30-40ft) would be near impossible single handed unless it was a completely still day and your boat control was perfect. Harbours in the Med are usually arranged stern-to, basically like parking backwards in a supermarket carpark, only you bounce off the boats each side on your way in.
You really, really, really need someone (probably two people on a boat that size) at each side to fend off and grab/tie the ropes once you arrive. If you don't, sooner or later fibreglass will hit fibreglass and break.
You may find someone on shore hands you ropes, but it's pretty rare. Plus people prefer to point and laugh than actually help*
Also, in terms of safety, the Med can be quite calm, but if you fall overboard and nobody knows about it, you are dead. The Spanish police will also think you are drug / people smuggling

*been there, done that
I help first-time buyers for a living.
You would need at least one crewmember (preferably two) for fendering and line-handling in port. It's something mates can help with - you wouldn't necessarily need professional crewmembers. But they would still need to have some common-sense, and, crucially, remain sober.
But if you're going to relax, and actually have a drink or two, then you can hire a captain and mate for the day.
I would go for something quite a bit smaller - say about 45-50 feet. You'll rattle about in it less, and it won't be quite so ruinously expensive (especially in the Med).
You would need at least one crewmember (preferably two) for fendering and line-handling in port. It's something mates can help with - you wouldn't necessarily need professional crewmembers. But they would still need to have some common-sense, and, crucially, remain sober.
But if you're going to relax, and actually have a drink or two, then you can hire a captain and mate for the day.
I would go for something quite a bit smaller - say about 45-50 feet. You'll rattle about in it less, and it won't be quite so ruinously expensive (especially in the Med).
Simpo Two said:
Not long ago I was approaching my marina (quite able to moor up solo being 27' with thrusters) and hooted to acknowledge someone I recognised ashore. To my surprise two people emerged from their boats and came out to take lines - I must have stumbled on a secret code!
Lucky you! 
Trying to manage a biggie, on your own, in somewhere like Cowes Yacht Haven, is a nightmare. A bit of wind and it's hellish.
I watched someone making a complete hash of it last year, despite me being ready to take a line.... I was ignored by the snooty bugger. Served him right when he put a nice mark on the side of his boat.
Benjaminpalma said:
I help first-time buyers for a living.
You would need at least one crewmember (preferably two) for fendering and line-handling in port. It's something mates can help with - you wouldn't necessarily need professional crewmembers. But they would still need to have some common-sense, and, crucially, remain sober.
But if you're going to relax, and actually have a drink or two, then you can hire a captain and mate for the day.
I would go for something quite a bit smaller - say about 45-50 feet. You'll rattle about in it less, and it won't be quite so ruinously expensive (especially in the Med).
Hi Benjamin, are you actually in Palma? What a lovely part of the World. I've got a place in Alcudia so dreaming over yachts is a hobby, especially on the way back from the bar.You would need at least one crewmember (preferably two) for fendering and line-handling in port. It's something mates can help with - you wouldn't necessarily need professional crewmembers. But they would still need to have some common-sense, and, crucially, remain sober.
But if you're going to relax, and actually have a drink or two, then you can hire a captain and mate for the day.
I would go for something quite a bit smaller - say about 45-50 feet. You'll rattle about in it less, and it won't be quite so ruinously expensive (especially in the Med).
So 2 bikini clad Bond Girls could quite happily berth me? Or, if I've got the Predator 74, I could drop anchor and jet ski my way to shore?
Simon Bags said:
Benjaminpalma said:
I help first-time buyers for a living.
You would need at least one crewmember (preferably two) for fendering and line-handling in port. It's something mates can help with - you wouldn't necessarily need professional crewmembers. But they would still need to have some common-sense, and, crucially, remain sober.
But if you're going to relax, and actually have a drink or two, then you can hire a captain and mate for the day.
I would go for something quite a bit smaller - say about 45-50 feet. You'll rattle about in it less, and it won't be quite so ruinously expensive (especially in the Med).
Hi Benjamin, are you actually in Palma? What a lovely part of the World. I've got a place in Alcudia so dreaming over yachts is a hobby, especially on the way back from the bar.You would need at least one crewmember (preferably two) for fendering and line-handling in port. It's something mates can help with - you wouldn't necessarily need professional crewmembers. But they would still need to have some common-sense, and, crucially, remain sober.
But if you're going to relax, and actually have a drink or two, then you can hire a captain and mate for the day.
I would go for something quite a bit smaller - say about 45-50 feet. You'll rattle about in it less, and it won't be quite so ruinously expensive (especially in the Med).
So 2 bikini clad Bond Girls could quite happily berth me? Or, if I've got the Predator 74, I could drop anchor and jet ski my way to shore?
As for the James Bond girls (deck-fluff one owner/client calls them!) - where there's wealth, there's beauty!

I don't want to spoil your day dreaming, but, who will wash off all that red rain, and coal dust from the coal barge that unloads in the port?
It's not really the "Lifestyle" that the Sunseeker salesman with the perfect hair is trying to sell to you.
You need crew, and deep pockets! I don't think a lottery win will do it somehow.
A trailer sailer, with somewhere to park it is the answer.
It's not really the "Lifestyle" that the Sunseeker salesman with the perfect hair is trying to sell to you.
You need crew, and deep pockets! I don't think a lottery win will do it somehow.

A trailer sailer, with somewhere to park it is the answer.

Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff





