[Bilbo0]

Actually, critical and amusing is fine with me; sometimes that''s the best way to learn.
I''m getting the sense here that perhaps part of my love''s apprehension is due to a tendency to take risks on my part, risks that this particular vessel may not be up to. Yet everything I''ve read about this design talks about how safe they are, and I know of T-birders that race in 25 knots with full main and genny. As an aside, I once enquired as to what a "small craft warning" applies to, and I was told anything smaller than a 500 foot BC ferry, which makes the whole thing rather pointless.
My goals are a comfortable liveaboard, and a smooth, steady sailer that can be used for extended perhaps even bluewater cruises. And one stable enough that doesn''t frighten my wife; I''m really not so into speed as such. As for experience, I''ve got about a year, which is pretty meagre when talking about a 40 foot schooner, but learning by doing has always been my philosophy.