[serenity4u2]

Thanks SD... I appreciate your input. I have been coming to that conclusion regarding the enclosure. I have visited nonsuch owner sites and was really impressed with some of the enclosures some owners have made. Plus I really thought that Cocpit was also very large in size as well. I also like the seperate shower stall and head in the nonsuch. You seem to be confirming my belief that space on a Gemini would be superior for a LA..

As far as the nonsuch being older and out of production... I factored in the lower cost and having the extra money to refit the boat. Plus I have found that a canadian company is now making the nonsuch. New they are over 200K
and I am not sure if that is US or Canadian Dollars...

As far as the Gemini not having much teak... Thats OK with me. I do love the beauty of the wood while also enjoy the lower up keep.

Thanks for confirming my thoughts about the Catalina. I am thinking for equal space the boat starts getting in the 40 foot plus range.. I would like to keep the cost down. I read a thread on here (buying a boat).. The author states that the expense difference between a 30 foot boat verses a 40 foot boat can be twice the cost. He did not go into a detailed cost analysis...

Some concerns I have after reading about the Gemini would be..

1. The boats are built as is (to keep the cost down). I am not sure if the systems need additional upgrades to make them a good LA.. I am talking about electrical, plumbing and holding tanks.. Probably some other things that I am over looking since I am entering the LA life style.

2. The only reason these would be a concern for me is b/c I am not sure (my ignorance) if to make any modifications would require ripping the boat apart. That could be a real expense.. This would also cause me to consider if the boat systems are accessable for minor repairs. *** I am NOT saying they are not... I do not know.....***

3. B/C of the above, I would like to obtain knowledge so I would know what to look for in a used Gemini as well as what would be needed with a new purchase.

4. I crew on a '04 Hunter 33 and spend some weekend / week trips. That boat would be to small as a LA for me. Plus repairs (access) kind of worries me the way things are put together. (PLS ... I am not boat bashing) I am just expressing concerns. My thinking is that a LA will need a greater amount of repairs by virtue of greater usage... If my thinking is wrong by all means I stand corrected.

****SD**** I guess cold is relative to the person, lol.... Thinking New England and perhaps the great lakes makes the PNW look like Hawaii- lol... It is still not warm by my liking, lol.... Then I sailed San Diego and loved that climate years ago... In fact wife and job permitting, I would love to relocate later to South Bay SD, CA.... Thinking Chula Vista Marina... In the mean time HEAT is Vital for me...lol

Thanks for the input SD.....