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Old 08-29-2006
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Jeff_H Jeff_H is offline
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It would be helpful if you talked a bit more about your plans for this boat, where you hope to sail, how important is sailing ability to you and so on. All too often people start out looking for blue water capable boats when they are really looking for coastal cruisers that could do a short leg offshore or even a liveaboard.

In my mind a proper dedicated blue water boat is first and foremost designed to be robust, simple, carry the ggear and supplies to sustain itself for long periods away from shore, and be able to sail well in whatever nature throws at you. That list of goals comes at a price in terms of costs of construction, interior layouts feel cramped by small walking areas so you won't be thrown about, small cockpits to reduce the amount of water retained if the boat is pooped, and large volumes of the boat occupied by tankage and storage, and so on. It comes at a price os heavy duty gear that may limit lighter air (or even moderate air convenience)

The compromises of a boat designed to spend much of its life offshore, what you refer to as a blue water design, may be a price not worth paying if you don't plan to spend much of your life offshore. That is why I ask about sailing goals and venues before answering.

Respectfully,
Jeff
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