little guidance for a rookie please

Hi JDM, welcome to Yachtforums.

I'm by no means an "expert" on sailing, but I'm a big fan.

On questions 1 & 2: With the right equipment virtually any size sailboat can be handled alone... However, when you say "after a couple months practice" what exactly do you mean? Are you going out for an afternoon cruise once a week for a couple of months? Or are you planning on living & sailing non-stop for a couple of months?

As for question 4, you'll get almost as many answers about which boat is the best as the number of people you ask.

Welcome to sailing, hope you enjoy it.
For Question 3: short handed sailing.

Autohelm is a must, self tailing genoa winches, roller furled genoa, main sail stowing system like lazy jacks and a boom mounted bag will all make life a lot eaiser .

Downwind sailing: Forget the pole and spiniker, get a crusing chute (Jeneka) with a willie chute (snuffing bag).

Spoil yourself items: fitted, drainable cockpit ice box, waterproof external music control.

Oh no now I should look for a bigger yacht items: Ice maker & AC

I have done a fair amount of sailing on the Beneatu first 30E, but have only once seen a 285 the deck gear was nicley laid out for solo, much better than the 30E.

As to Number 4:
For late 80s early nineties yachts theres loads of good ones out there, look for one thats cruising/racing design and get a full out of water survey done thru a good marine survey company before parting with any cash.
27 to 28 is a good size for a first sailing yacht and club racing is a good way to get experience fast. Im not that familiar with American sailing yachts, and there must be more of them in Canada then European ones.
The Catalinas ive been on look real good, any of the Scandanivan imports are usualy worth a look.
NJOY

Hi-As a Rookie, I do not think that solo sailing is a great idea. Do not wish to be a downer, just practical. I have owned 3 Sailboats, currently have a Sabre and have logged over 13,000 NM.

As to type of Boat, I am amazed at what is going on as far as design. My best crew member just bought a Catalina 25 and it has what I call TREE-HOUSE" or "LIFEGUARD"seats. I don't think I would be sitting in one of those off Point Judith RI- at any time. .

Solo sailing in anything other than a dinghy and around the harbour is not something that happens in a few months. I you have a desire to go offshore by yourself think years. Many years experiance with crew before attempting !!! one must be totally self reliant, competant and experianced. Having said that if you do get there it is worth while.

All good suggestions

There is a right way, and a wrong way to get into boating.

If you are indeed set on buying the boat, wait until you purchase the boat and then hire a professional sailing instructor and do a 5 - 7 cruise and learn trip with him/her. The instructor you choose will also help you pick out a boat by discussing your mission statement; what is it you are planning to do.

You will learn invaluable lessons starting in the bilge with vessel systems, preventative maintenance, damage control, trip planning, rules of the road, coastal day/night navigation, chart/publications interpretation, anchoring, marlinspike seamanship (knots), vessel nomenclature and terminology, vessel close quarter maneuvering, sail handling (crewed and short), points of sail with relation to course/destination, radio and electronic navigation systems, man overboard and abandon ship procedures and a mulitude of other knowledgable items required to be a talented and responsible yacht owner/operator.

I am a professional instructor and letters of completion issued by me have been excepted by marine underwriters for discounts on your policy.

Feel free to contact me if I may be of assistance. Welcome to the community. "Sailing isn't hard... it's a breeze!!"
John Wampler
954-646-7656

seamanship

hello and welcome to the sailing community

I am sure you'll get plenty of advice for sailing solo or choosing the right boat and the latest equipment and gear but in my humble opinion there is nothing like good seamanship to pull you out of trouble when you need it.
I know that trimming sails or negotiating a gybe cannot be more helpful to you as reading weather signs , feeling the wind, anticipating the waves ,tying good marine knots ,catching fish or preparing a soup in a force 7 .

Relying on your good judgement and know- how when all electonic gizmos fail,this is something people by the sea, are born with or at least learn through a lifetime of experience from elderly sailors and infinite number of cruises or fishing trips

if I was to give you an advice , I would say sail as much as you can ...sail in all weathers on whatever boat you choose ,sail as far as you must .... but with good and experienced company , till you are Rookie no more do not consider to venture alone on that deceptive beautiful sea ,you will soon find out that the real thing is far from being the travel brochure's poster and that the best equiped boats must one day humbly bow to the might of the elements
sorry for such a long intervention but I have seen too many a "wanna be sailor" get leured and more than a fine boat abandonned
and that breaks my heart.

I like your choice of Beneteau.
I've helmed the Oceanis 34 & 43; Beneteau builds a fine ship.