What is the largest ocean going boat you can operate single-handedly?

Question

It can be a sail boat or motor driven. How much cargo could it hold. If not much room for cargo could it be modified to hold cargo?

Answer 1

Both good answers.

However, consider this Bernard:

The ability to single-hand depends on the level of assistive devices. I refer to winches and the like. And the level of automation. And whether the boat is properly ballasted for it's sail area...in the case of sailing. And certainly, all things being equal...a humongous boat can still be docked single-handedly with adequate thrusters fore and aft.

For example...a thirty footer without winches and much mechanical purchase anywhere would probably need 2 people.

A 200 footer with full blown hydraulic winches and furling...all push button, with line-spool boxes which require no muman tailing and adequate thrusters can be a walk-in-the-park for a person who knows the controls...assuming all systems are running properly.

As for cargo...I would think a well fitted sailboat up to 50 or 60 feet if you're a keen sailor...otherwise go with 35 to 40 feet. The more cargo you place in them the less seakeeping the boat can maintain. You would want a boat with high freeboard if you're gonna load her down. I wouldn't put in any more than 50-60 lbs/ft of waterline. Again, that depends on the boat.

Answer 2

all the cargo ships   that run japan to sanfrancisco are remote controlled.. no one even stearing..  just one person on the bridge  one person in the engine room..

Answer 3

Back when I was doing deliveries, I routinely delivered anything up to 54 feet as a single hander because I could not always find help at the pick-up end.  But 54 feet is about the limit for single handing a sailboat.  With power, you could go to 60 feet MAYBE.. but you will have to get help to put it on a dock....