Single handed crossing to bahamas

So what you'd consider safe for an ameteur you wouldn't for an experienced professional? Flying a plane is the same as but more dangerous than running a boat. Some planes and routes require 2 or more crew, yet I hear a few pilots fly solo. In fact it's required. Yep it'll suck if a solo pilot has a heart attack or he has to fix something but it's still done everyday. How many helicopters fly around above you every day with only a pilot? Everything in life is individual risk assessment and risk management. Nothing is 100% safe. Safe landings and safe dockings are the proof of who is right. I'll stand on my record of deciding when additional crew is needed. Also the CG and the FAA have very clear regulations. I take on crew way more than they require. If a transport ALWAYS requires additional crew it would be required.

Mariners have circumnavigated the globe solo, professional and unprofessional alike.

Actually I think slow is safer. At 25-30kts you won’t have much time to avoid a UFO... lot more time at 10 kts. And if you hit something at 25/30kts it’s going to be lot more painful

Agreed. And the challenges of solo boating (I believe) completely starts with the knowledge and confidence in the vessel itself. A close second is in the confidence of the solo artist's ability to contend with most issues that could occur en route.

Overall it's a very personal situation, so that's up to the individual to ask and honestly answer the questions.

Also, agreed on the professional delivery. Risk mitigation/liability measure has to be a very early litmus in such a decision making process. That usually means two (or more).

You ABSOLUTELY need a mate to dock a 60' with surface drives.

Surface drives make a lot of difference. However, you asked the question but really in your mind, you'd already decided what your opinion was and what you intend to do. So some of us say go do it, and some say in the interest of caution we wouldn't.

You get opposing opinions, just like some like surface drives and others don't.

In docking a surface drive you just don't have the same level of engine benefit in docking. Conventional shafts and propellers give you more force and respond quicker. This isn't to say you can't do it with surface drives single handed but it's more difficult. Still I oppose single handing for other reasons far more than for docking issues. The quick small adjustments you make in docking will not come as easily with surface drives, but you adjust as an owner or operator. I have not driven or docked enough surface drives to develop the expertise. But it's like those who talk about issues docking with jets and I have learned a lot about jets and know the difference in techniques needed versus shafts.

Capt J has a lot of experience with surface drives and so I listen to his reservations on single hand docking of them at 60' seriously.

They don't dock and maneuver anywhere near a sportfish. You have to have the drives at the perfect height, otherwise in reverse they're either sucking air or just send wash over the swim platform. In a stern in slip they throw a lot of wash around and cause the boat to drift all over and in ways you didn't imagine. Unpredictable. Combine that with the fact that the majority of surface drive boats don't have a rub rail to lean on, it's paint on piling.

What brand/size?