[JohnDrake]

I am sorry if anyone took the tone of my last post to be negative. I think I was being analytical and also speculating as to why there may be a trend towards 45ft CC''s these days. My comments come from my personal observations. Obviously a generalization for the purposes of discussion that cannot fit all cases. To be sure, a nice newer 45ft CC that is well built and well designed and has good modern sail handling gear would be a good boat to have if one can afford it. Therein lies the point.

As stated, I believe you illustrate my point. That it is difficult to find an AFFORDABLE (eg 100k) 42-45ftCC for offshore cruising. And if one does, that boat will like require significant upgrading.....like adding $3000 a pop winches.

I do not think 45ftCC''s are poor choices. I personally would love an Oyster 46 or Hylas 46. I do think most would agree that type of vessal takes a certain amount of money and crew to possess.

In my price range, just as an example, the choices were between a higher quality 38ft aft cockpit sloop that had excellent sailing qualities, a very spacious main salon and large vee berth or an older 42 and 43ft CC whose design robbed space from the main salon to create an aft cabin and whose build quality and sailing character was not what I wanted.

Very true, it is about many different needs and choices. Which is what we are discussing, I thought.

Respectfully

John