Hi Carolyn, I single-handed (in the excellent company of a 65-pound dog) for several years up and down the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries on an Endeavour 36 Sailingcat. The economical twin diesels make docking and general maneuvering entirely doable for a single person, even without dockhands to meet you. The deck, cockpit and cabin are all easy for both for dogs big and small and people with iffy knees. You don't have the pesky windage you have on a trawler (though you would on the larger new powercats) and you do have sails if you want them, which you can work from the cockpit. You also have a 15-foot beam, which gives you access to a slip in nearly any marina going. Just a thought. It worked very well for me, and I'm in my 60s. (Husband has now retired and moved aboard, so I no longer single-hand most of the time, but we are still living aboard and traveling the Bay and the ICW on the same boat.) For the Loop, of course, you might want to search for an Endeavour 36 powercat or simply ship the mast when you get to the canals. I also know of several older women we are single-handing the loop at the moment aboard American Tugs and Rangers, but I don't know how that's working out for them. Good luck! You'll have a great time, whatever you choose! Jody Argo Schroath S/V Moment of Zen Annapolis and St. Petersburg > On Feb 28, 2015, at 9:33 AM, Carolyn Fitzgerald via Great-Loop <great-loop@lists.trawlering.com> wrote: > > > Subject: Newbe needs help > From: Carolyn Fitzgerald <cdf_fitz@yahoo.com> > Date: February 28, 2015 at 9:14:54 AM EST > To: "great-loop@lists.trawlering.com" <great-loop@lists.trawlering.com> > > > BACKGROUND > I've been boating and sailing most of my life, purely recreational. Have sailed bareboat in Carribean, Bahamas several times, > > ME > went to Annapolis Sailing School in the 80's > Late middle- aged widow with knee issues > My dream is to complete the Great Loop multiple times over the next years > And to live on the trawler with my dogs. > > I have ideas of the best boat for me but would greatly appreciate recommendations from veterans of the lifestyle > > Sincere Thanks > Carolyn > > Sent from my iPad > > > > _______________________________________________ > http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com > > To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address, > unsubscribe, etc.) go to: http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/options/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com