Hello. I hope you will forgive me imposing on your community. I have a novel set, mostly, on a large yacht and there are some key plot points I'm in the process of refining. Google is of course an excellent tool, but no substitute for feedback from real human experts. So any responses would be gratefully received but of course please feel free to ignore. Our protagonist has been left a very expensive, extremely luxurious boat in a bitter divorce from his wealthy ex wife. He's not as young as he used to be and while he was quite the yachtsman in his day his qualifications to actually pilot it are out of date. He also lacks the financial resources to maintain it for any length of time. Pride and hubris mean he's nonetheless determined to sail (drive?) it, rather than doing the obvious thing and simply selling it. It's a motor yacht, about ninety six foot, so just below what I believe is considered 'Superyacht' status and it can be as expensive as is necessary for the story to work (his ex-wife is very, very rich and bought it for him as a toy in happier times). The story demands it's possible, if inadvisable, to operate such a boat single handed. I don't really mind fudging details but I'd rather the idea wasn't completely ludicrous. From what I can tell, with a sufficiently advanced and expensive vessel, single handed operation should be just about possible, and even fairly risk free so long as you keep an eye on the weather and don't venture too far from the coast (in case of engine trouble). So, my questions are: 1: Can a 95 foot motor yacht be operated single handed? (regulations may forbid it, but can it technically be done?) 2: How close to land should you have to stay for safety? (ideally there'll be a limit that he can later ignore as he gets increasingly desperate) Thank you in advance for your responses. And once again, I apologise for the intrusion. Best Wishes DJC
Glad you are asking questions. Nothing drives me nuts more than reading a book where clearly the author is completely clueless about boats (or airplanes). even details like reading about anchors being raised before engine being started or single engine motor yachts cruising at 20 kts … as to your question yes many 95 footers can be single handed assuming the layout allows it (side decks , remote controls stations etc. ) In most countries regulations will allow it but the problem will be insurance. Once you get above 80/90’ insurers will require a second crew member on board. as to distance offshore, I d stay as long as the single operator can stay awake that could be crossings as long as 300/400 nm depending on cruising speed. After that you run into the issue of not being able to stand watch. and please… you can’t anchor a boat far offshore like so many authors seem to believe.
Thank you Pascal. Insurance being an obstacle could actually work very well. So no hard limit on distance apart from sleep. I may have to give him a temperamental engine or something. Many thanks for responding.
Some people sail around the world solo, but they sleep with the autopilot on. Not only is it unsafe but also in violation of the International Rules of Road. (Not much better to let the boat drift while you sleep.) The above stunts are mostly done with cruising sailboats, but nothing is stopping a power-boat(er) or for that matter a 95’ single handled mega yacht from doing the same. Fuel will of course be another limit, but recently I saw a 50+ power boat go non-stop from the West Coast to Hawaii fully loaded with extra fuel in every empty space and portable tanks on deck/cockpit.
A 95 footer may have some good equipment and electronics on board to help on long passages. To help your story, SOME better radars have zone alarms. Anything blips on the scope, an alarm is to sound. On smaller boats, this is about 50% effective but is is something to help. Waves, rain, birds, Murphy can make them alarm, Small (wooden?) boats can also sneak in. AIS is another way to avoid ships on the high seas. I think some better models will alarm on Closest Point of Approach (CPA) and Time to Closest Point of Approach (TCPA). Small boats are not required to transmit AIS. Pirates and dark ships also do not transmit AIS. The industry is trying to get AIS or similar beacons on cargo containers so when they fall over, that can be tracked and avoided. These and other trash is out there and must be watched for. I don't recommend anybody trusting these things but they may help an exhausted single pilot at night.
