Can You Single Hand A 50 Ft Motor Yacht?

[@Richardgwilliams]

Good stuff! one tip, when retrieving fenders, lift the 'forward' ones first and work your way astern so you dont have to 'trip' over them moving aft. I too (when instructing, for sure on other owners boats) have fenders forward proud of the rails on the bow, as you say the widest part, plus a couple protecting the stern quarters, higher than 'pontoon' level. I always wear a life jacket whilst moving about during berthing and unberthing with a vhf to hand. Some have questioned about the vessel being 'in gear' whilst leaving the helm. This is a personal choice. If you leave the boat in neutral as we all know the boat will go broadside to the wind and give a kinda rolling motion depending on the sea state. Which in itself can be uncomfortable and maybe less safe? If the waters are clear ahead and the boat is just nudging forward on a calm day and you have safe wide side decks to negotiate I see no problem there. I have single handed up to 70 ft, for delivery purposes and for pleasure. To everyone though, please take it slowly, don't rush anything, don't run! As said is the multiple 'P' thing. Overall a good educational video and to say 'we all do it a little differently' I quuite like going out singlehanded sometimes so I dont have to get back in to suit others or ask if they are OK etc etc so I can just do what I wanna do! Its nice to have a couple of spring lines arranged so they are easy to collect whilst berthing (on a pole on the dock) then they are easy to access, especially with a vessel with no 'side doors' its all about Preperation!

[@lusoyachting36]

Thanks Rich.

[@tingeling953]

I was going to say the same about the fenders.

[@ElevateYacht]

Great input and detail in your response. Great to see another captain who singlehands larger vessels. Cheers

[@BubbaHead1]

I've been googling for 3 days , wanting to know if you could solo cross the Atlantic, in a motor boat. The only problem I saw was docking, and here you're schooling me 😂😂😂 Thanks sweetie, that was amazing ❤

[@jascan1489]

I always pull the engines back to neutral whenever I leave the cockpit single hand. Suck to fall out and not be able to swim back to the boat.

[@xavier.c359]

Definitelly, this was not a race… when you are alone…, by the way, you are alone even after falling in the water…!! Too late to regret..! 😉

[@allaboutyachting]

And you do good to do so👍🏻

[@jaimelopez3991]

Yes Amanda, that'd be my advice as well.... just idle engines and N on the gearbox and you're safe!! I did it a few times on my Searay Sundancer 290 in Dubai going solo. Other than that, good job!!

[@williamgarnham6492]

Great Vlog, shows to many that it can be done, personally I dont put it on autopilot while working on deck, it could get away from you if you slip, and maybe a life jacket, you never know when some idiot will come speeding past you and leave a massive wake, but that said great video, looking forward to next ones!

[@josevaldez918]

It's nice that there is no wind to push you around good job

[@bobuncle8704]

Great job Amanda. I would be totally confident with you as captain. You know your stuff. You take your time to think ahead and do it right.

[@lusoyachting36]

Thanks Ian.

[@allaboutyachting]

Far away from a great job and thinking ahead. 🙈

[@richardsheldon7473]

Awesome vlog, amanda, All Single handed,maneuvering,great job weather looking fantastic, hey stay safe,

[@ianjackson1192]

You handled that like the true professional that you are another great video thanks for sharing 🇬🇧😀👍🏻

[@lusoyachting36]

Thank you

[@ysesq]

i singlehand and a transom fisheye and bow cam make life easier. i also have jacklines fitted. i clip my life jacket in when moving around. you should idle the boat when moving around and have a portable vhf and line cutter on your jacket.

[@TR4zest]

I thought having the boat tick along at 3-4 knots while bringing in the fenders (without life jacket, vhf etc) was taking a risk. One trip or slip and ....

[@BuckTravis]

I single hand a 55 regularly. I now captain a 65. Price of cake if properly equipped and trained.

[@batur_psychology19]

you pay way too much for your cakes my guy

[@Big.Ron1]

I know a guy who single hands a 52 all the time and has for nearly 15 years. Before that was a 40 something. So yes, if you know how and if you are smart about winds and weather then yes you can safely single hand a 50 or 55 ft yacht. Thank you and be safe!

[@MyTube4Utoo]

Nice video. Thank you.

[@viper0981]

You're a boss. I seen in a previous video you were thinking of a larger boat I can't wait to see that.

[@Sander044]

I am already getting nervous by docking a small 21ft (fishing) boat, so to see you do this like you did - well done, Amanda! 👍

[@lusoyachting36]

Thank you.

[@Puzzoozoo]

Just on a point of interest a large boat is less susceptible to tide and wind then a small boat, and as a result is more stable, as the tide and wind has more mass to move.

[@simondee3886]

Great job Amanda.

[@bobt3374]

Well done young lady i think you have done that before & your knowledge of boats is excellent. Have a good week. 😎

[@lusoyachting36]

First time on Andreza. I used to take my old Doral (25 feet) out single handed all the time but Andreza is a big beast.

[@Alex000113]

Yup its possible in ideal conditions BUT any changes in current or wind when you came back might make it an expensive day out. Some clever poles to make it easy to loop your dock lines while staying on board also can help.Never advisable to run around the dock or on a boat. Might want to look at the chart before leaving the cockpit to make sure you wont run into something if you get distracted while sorting out the lines.

[@ruivalerio8680]

Very nice job and vid as always Amanda !

[@lusoyachting36]

Thanks Rui. Hope you Regatta was good. How is Ibiza?

[@CloudFactoryTV]

Thoroughly enjoyed going out with you but I was so looking forward to coming back in and berthing.. perhaps you could show this most frightening of all boating aspects next time you are on your own?

[@lusoyachting36]

It was totally unplanned to taker her out. Next time I'll take a head cam so I can shoot the docking process as I need both hands to dock.

[@CloudFactoryTV]

@@lusoyachting36 thank you and we all thoroughly enjoy your adventures and exploits!

[@drdro7254]

Prepared! Congrats!

[@Trump985]

One other thing if you leave a set of lines on the dock that are already made up the right length with the eyes attached to the boat you can simply grab them with a boathook from the boat when you get back without having to get off the boat that’s my trick makes it easy and you don’t have to get off the boat and risk it getting away from you

[@gregmueller2265]

Doing a great job captain 👏

[@privatesecurityafrica4129]

Very nice! God job!

[@rayanatb]

Excellent video

[@marcbombenon3431]

NIce video, great run through and an excellent confidence builder. One additional comment to add to the fender remark (agreed), do not leave the helm of the boat in forward motion. If you end up over, chances are slim you will get back on board. Put it in neutral, it can coast gently to a stop while pulling in the fenders and stowing lines.

[@kjetils1249]

My biggest fear is falling overboard and the boat disapear, so I allways put the engines in neutral when doing stuff outside and I am alone.

[@TheBusinessAdvisorPodcast]

I am happy to find this vlog. I am looking at buying a boat to do it on my own. That was my question if I could do it on my own. Now I know.

[@lusoyachting36]

Good luck with your boat search Michael

[@TheBusinessAdvisorPodcast]

@@lusoyachting36 thank you ;-)

[@Puzzoozoo]

Apparently the biggest yacht you can handle on your own according to Aquaholic is the Princess Y78, a boat that big would focus your attention.

[@gavinharrison1732]

In show business we have the 7 P’s of show business: Proper Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance 🤘🏻

[@ronnielittlerock7208]

I truly appreciate your skill, but I was wondering, since you were singlehanding why weren't you wearing a vest on deck?

[@lusoyachting36]

Thanks. That particular day was very still next to no wind and waves under 0.4 meters. also Andreza is a very stable boat with wide side decks and high rails. Plus what you didn't see on the video because it was edited was that I had a safety line.

[@gopher1471]

It's a while since I heard anyone use the 6 P's, well done by the way, I have the variable thrusters bow and stern and a side window, all of which helps but still preparation is essential. :)

[@malcolmmcgougan8372]

Excellent, impressive the calm description of what needs to be done. Do you have some kind of proximity device that in the unfortunate chance you fell overboard would kill the engines?

[@lusoyachting36]

Thanks. No i don't have a kill switch. I would not ordinarily take her out alone.

[@mikejohnr1315]

Wow she really knows her stuff - so impressive. That takes guts to take a 50' boat out alone and to take a video at the same time was slick.

[@lusoyachting36]

Thanks Mike. The weather was exceptionally calm that day and the ocean was flat. Also Andreza is a heavy very stable boat with wide side decks.

[@notinservice3724]

good to know as I plan to get a 40' princess also, is there a service at the club which could help you , thanks

[@lusoyachting36]

Yes there is. Most marinas in wester Europe operate on VHF channel 9 and you can radio ahead and the marinehos (the marina staff) will come and help you into a berth.

[@markchip1]

One thought occured to me, as you went to pull in the fenders - What would happen if you tripped/lost your balance and actually fell over board? - would it not have been a better move, being alone on the vessel, to have come to a dead stop? At least you would have a fighting chance of swimming back to the stern platform and reboarding!! Aren't most skipper-less boats down to the individual just falling overboard for one reason or another? And there must be dozens of such videos on KZbin, even though the majority are very small and unstable! I just think this was a risk that should have been avoided, if only as a teaching moment. Plus you weren't wearing a life jacket and you didn't appear to notify anyone else (harbourmaster?) of your sailing intentions. And I'm not even a sailor! Having now read more of the comments I can see that this has in fact been pointed out numerous times. You never stop learning!

[@lusoyachting36]

Mark well noted. However if you put the engines in neutral the boat will drift beam on to the waves and begin to rock side to side which increases the chance you would lose balance. It was calm that day and Andreza has wide side decks with high rails she is also a heavy boat at 20 tonnes and sits steady while underway on tick over with a head or following sea .

[@alanc1209]

Hi Amanda thanks for posting another fabulous video, I always look forward to new ones coming out. Just a question. Would you have to take extra safety precautions when going out on your own, especially when having to walk around whilst on autopilot. Thanks again. Alan.

[@lusoyachting36]

yes I had on a safety harness and line but I edited out me putting it on and off because the wrist cam was all over the place

[@sheenbean2]

We just bought a 48 footer, I know nothing about boats. I didn’t know there was a thing called fenders. I’m very happy.

[@csolo2041]

Cool, Suzie is missing out

[@brutusoftroy2810]

You get a thumbs up for the Aliens reference

[@DNWARR1]

Love it 👍👍👍👍👍

[@liz3131]

Awesome!

[@CarCrazyGhost]

Good video only issue I don’t think the 50 I’m going to get has a bow a bow or stern thrusters.

[@lusoyachting36]

It would be unusual for a 50' boat not to have at least a bow thruster! Stern thrusters are simple to retrofit

[@canidconsulting5118]

Depending on where I am and conditions, I always cut the engines or even anchor when I have to move around the perimeter of the vessel, as well as keep a phone or walkie on me at all times. Other than that, I think it's great you're demonstrating that a single captain is more than capable. And I always encourage women to become more active and independent boaters. Safe adventure awaits!

[@lusoyachting36]

Thanks

[@vlogcity1111]

She’s literally one in a million most women are to emotionally charged to captain a ship by themselves let alone such a large vessel

[@Falney]

I have not yachted. My experience is limited to a 58ft narrow boat so not exactly equitable. But as long as the sea is fairly calm and you have easy access from the pilots seat to the mid ship cleets/lines, I can't see it being much more difficult than mooring/unmooring a canal boat on a windy day. Personally I think, assuming you have side access to the piloting controls and were returning to the mooring, I would have sprung the stern and slipped the mid. Untied the bow, entered from the aft, untied it from the aft by dropping the ropes onto the pontoon then unslipping the mid from near the pilot controls. That being said, I have no sea experience so I could be signing up to sink the boat.

[@lusoyachting36]

That is the difficulty with yachts Andreza's size, you don't have quick access to the controls especially on hard top sports yachts. You can overcome this by fitting remote control systems like Yacht Controller or Side Power and if I were to make a habit of single handing I would fit one of those. Narrow boats look hellishly difficult to helm you have my admiration.

[@Falney]

@@lusoyachting36 once you get used to them, they are really easy to helm. But I see ocean vessels the same way you see narrow boats. I want to make the jump to a motor yacht though. The problem is I am going to need at least a 45' boat to make my space requirements and I will be solo. I am a little apprehensive. I likely can't afford anything modern that is already equipped with a wing station or a remote which means retrofitting one and that looks like a costly job

[@lusoyachting36]

@@Falney Side power systems are reasonably priced but you may also need to install a stern thruster on an older yacht.

[@TheChef11111]

Is there a pre-check up on engine before you leave? What are those?

[@lusoyachting36]

Yes here is the video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYaQl6ysbaeJoZI

[@MrMaxx456]

Very nice boat

[@stephentaylor8217]

Yes ...it can be done ....equipment & planning

[@jitendradiavel5403]

Thank you ma'am

[@gregmueller2265]

I have many times on the lake working on the big boats

[@bunksunbound5785]

Love it 👍🏼 and out of curiousity (and as one who is a short-a@se lady boater… did you have the step put in at the helm position so you could see over the window, or was it factory-fitted when you bought the boat? (We’re looking to upgrade from out 24’ and are finding that visibility at the helm is great if you’re 6’ but a tad challenging if you’re 5’4’’! 🙄😀

[@lusoyachting36]

Thanks. The step was fitted as standard and I've seen the same things on most Sunseekers and Princess' too. I'm 5'2" si it's essential but it wouldn't be difficult to retro-fit one to any boat.

[@Trump985]

It has nothing to due with the size of the boat but the design! There are 60ft boats that are easy to single hand and some 40ft boats that are a real pain and almost impossible to dock alone if the wind is blowing 30kts off the dock as by the time you get down from the fly bridge the boat is already off the dock! Just remember two part your lines and never get off the boat if alone until it’s tied up unless you want to go swimming for your boat when the wind grabs it same applies for undocking always handle the lines from the boat when alone trust me I do this for a living

[@Th3OmegaPoint]

If the worst happened and you slipped off the boat while it was on autopilot, what would you do? Is there some sort of kill switch?

[@lusoyachting36]

What you couldn't see on the video is I had a line attached to me. i edited out me faffing around putting it on and taking it off

[@chillee2531]

What happens if you loose balance or trip whilst sorting fenders and go overboard ?

[@lusoyachting36]

see replies to similar comments. I had on a safety line

[@chillee2531]

@@lusoyachting36 l was curiously thinking, I’d love to do that on my own, then had l a vision of me falling over board, thinking shit, now what, whilst watching the boat continue merrily along its journey without me.....

[@johnmills3877]

Enjoyed the video. Part of me admired you for your bravery however part of me felt it was foolhardy, with my yatchmaster head on. What if you had been injured say hitting your head or even worse gone overboard with the engines engaged. Just saying keep posting great videos.

[@lusoyachting36]

John what you didn't see on the video because I edited out me faffing around putting it on and off was i had a safety harness and line on while on the side deck. The wrist cam was all over the place and it was making me dizzy.

[@johnmills3877]

@@lusoyachting36 Amanda ok I'll let you off then. Thanks for always showing great content 😁👍

[@MrMaxx456]

What is your boat ???

[@lusoyachting36]

It is a Cranchi Mediterranee 50 HT

[@aardvarkmindshank]

Definitely invest in a steady/giro cam and a microphone muffler please.

[@lusoyachting36]

I have both but that was an impromptu video I hadn't intended to film that day all I had with me onboard was two GoPro's and a wrist strap. Sorry!

[@Dangerous1966]

Great for just some me time 👍😎👍

[@edwardparry4558]

Well done 👍😀🍷🍷

[@7markshark]

My friend handle a 62 feet Prinzess at his own, but he got a yacht controler

[@lusoyachting36]

If I was going to make a habit of it I would absolutely fit a a yacht controller or at least a dual Side Power system with remote control.

[@alexpetersen3087]

Removing the fenders while sailing and in gear without a life jacket also...... And we did not see the docking.!!

[@michaeltravers952]

One very obvious omission in your plan……….that of having your life jacket on! Safety first on the water eh.

[@t10bears]

Doing my best to raise my daughter to be as capable as you are. Fingers crossed. 🤞

[@lusoyachting36]

I'm sure she will be just fine.

[@scudosmyth784]

OK I know nothing about boating, but in my opinion that looked a bit dodgy doing it single handed, also, also when sailing single handed would it not be advisable to wear a life jacket, going overboard even if boat moving slowly it would leave you behind...In my opinion. I do like your videos though.

[@lusoyachting36]

you didn't see it on the video because it was edited but I was wearing a safety line on the side decks.

[@scudosmyth784]

@@lusoyachting36 ok thanks for replying.

[@william106]

How did you find or manage to anchor without having someone at the front directing you to where the anchor chain is facing as chain should lay flat not in a pile?

[@lusoyachting36]

I went forward to see which way it was laying before recovering it.

[@william106]

@@lusoyachting36 ah ok when laying the chain as normal you have someone at the front telling you what way to go to ensure that the chanw stays central.

[@lusoyachting36]

@@william106 As I lay out the anchor I have the bow pointed into the wind and begin nudging the throttles astern as I pay out chain so it never sits in a pile.

[@william106]

@@lusoyachting36 ah ok thanks for that, never gone out solo before so just wanted to know thanks 😊

[@ysesq]

@@william106 use a bow camera for that.

[@mrabrasive51]

Can a person single hand you safely!?

[@SuzanneCromie]

Done a 60 footer heaps of times

[@lusoyachting36]

Cool Suzanne. We need to see more women skippers

[@Imvelo31]

Proper preparation prevents poor performance

[@jimthompson717]

You could, but it sounds lonely.

[@Bob-1374]

50 feet is not a yacht a 50 “boat” is what you use to get to your yacht!

[@lusoyachting36]

lol

[@vlogcity1111]

Are yachts considered 100ft now ??

[@SuzanneCromie]

Easily

[@gjadams69]

All fun and game's till you slip into the water when boats on auto pilot.

[@lusoyachting36]

What you couldn't see on the video because it was edited was I had on a safety line while on the side decks. That said Andreza is a big boat with wide side decks and high rails.

[@hinnomura]

Scared looking at this! NO LIFEJACKET and on autopilot, if you go overboard you are royalty £u€ked

[@stephenmcmullan5454]

I love the Chanel and up until now I thought the info was great - however I feel this video shows nothing but poor seamanship and highlights the stupidity of many boaters 1- No lifejackets or portable VHF 2 - boat on autopilot and powered 3 - a single person on the boat This is just a disaster waiting to happen As you make your way up the side decks you slip and fall in - You have no lifejacket, no portable VHF radio, no way of signalling distress and you have no chance of swimming to catch your boat. I am sorry for the negativity however this is irresponsible boating

[@ysesq]

agreed. she also has no closed transom so should have jacklines and clip in with the jacket.

[@lusoyachting36]

see some of the other comments on this. I had a safety line and harness on while on the side decks but the video was edited so you didn't see me struggling to take it on and off.

[@stephenmcmullan5454]

@@lusoyachting36 as a demo video that other people watch, hoping to learn, i think you really should have included the saftey aspect and shown the steps you took, editing the video to remove this part of the guide could lead to others not considering saftey. As I said i love the chanel but feel the video showed the wrong side of boating. Shame as the video was something me and my wife enjoyed up until the fender collection :-)

[@lusoyachting36]

@@stephenmcmullan5454 I hadn't intended to go out or film that day, it was an ad hoc thing and not intended as a "how to" video. Hence i didn't have a head cam with me. The footage shot on the wrist cam with me struggling with the harness had me feeling dizzy watching it back. I'll take on your point and make sure I at least mention any safety measures in future videos

[@superyachtchef]

Primarily this is a lifestyle channel and not an instructional, safety or training channel. The purpose of a lifestyle channel is to present an achievable, practical and infomed approach to a stylish life - almost rose tinned. If you personally desire a safety first approach, well there's plenty of channels out there or create one yourself. I love absolutely everything about this channel, the contents, presentation style, the practical advice, demos, tourism, gastronomy, the fact that a great deal of effort, commitment, knowledge, ambition and beauty have led to great success. #inspirational 🏅🏅🏅

[@ronnielittlerock7208]

I truly appreciate your skill, but I was wondering, since you were singlehanding why weren't you wearing a vest on deck?