[dsestini]

Just a comment about long over hangs on older boats. One thing I’ve leant about sailing is that it’s all a trade off whether racing or cursing. If you have the money to buy new “quality” construction modern design you’re going to get the best boat. For those of us that cant buy quality and modern, many of the newer boats mention especially the production boats I would not be caught dead on off shore on, sure the ride might be nice until the fin keel breaks loose, plastic through hulls crack, or core damaged accurse do to continuous slamming do to flat bow sections. It depends on what you’re doing with the boat. Our Block Island 40 isn’t the fastest boat and she will pitch at times. However we don’t conceder reefing in anything under 20 knots, we think about it at 25 and do it at 30. Above 30 we sail under jib and mizzen and general smile. The v shape of the bow on our boat, the Cape Dory , Hinckley Pilot insures no pounding, maybe pitching but no pounding. And in general if maintained are better construction than many new production boats at a fraction of the price. Seriously a Hinckley Pilot at less than half the price of the same size new Catalina, I think it’s a no brainer. If your going to sail the coast of Maine get the Cape Dory or the Pilot, if your racing go modern light with long water lines. If you’re going off shore get the safest boat for your budget. If you’re a trailer sailor well then you constrained by draft.

Just a fact; 20% of sailors will notice the Catalina 380 coming into port, 80% of sailors will notice the Pilot 35 and the other classics beauties come into port.