What size of sailboat would be best to sleep 8 people

Question

40' and up I'm guessing - with enough room to spare & not so big that two people can't operate it.

Answer 1

First off 8 is a disaster looking for a place to happen> That's way 2 many unless for a day sail>extended sailing is not going to work> To much food to much water usage> and to many captains>Unless your looking at 60' with 4 cabins>I had 40' 2 cabins > And 2 was more than enough> 6 every 1 was in every1s way. And no 1 want to do or couldnt do anything> except eat> And plug the heads>With rolls of paper>

Answer 2

If it's a cruising sailboat, then the rule of thumb is 15 FEET for EACH PERSON.  so 2 people would be 30 feet ,4 people would be 60 feet and 8 people would be 120 FEET.

I did some charters on a rented Irwin 54 and routinely took 8 adults, but it was usually not more than a 5 to 7 day trip and I tend to sleep in the cockpit when I'm under sail at night, so I just turned my cabin over to the customers.

The thing I didn't like about that Irwin was, everything was too big to single hand so, unless one of the passengers wanted to play "Mate", I had to either take my wife with me or hire deck help.

The Winches on a 54 footer are about the size of a small garbage can, so you really can't singlehand something that big.

Answer 3

I've sailed a 37 Irwin center cockpit, and a 42' Gulfstar.  My memory is that they both had accomidations for seven not eight, unless you have children that can double up. I've been aboard several 50' boats but I didn't notice any with an extra  birth, The first boat I know had sleeping room for 8 was a 65' ketch rigged with 2 head sails on roller furling.  I think it would be hard, if not impossible for 2 to sail.  I liked the Irwin best. Sorry I couldn't be more help1