Endeavour 37, Aft Cockpit

[WHOOSH]

Chas, you''ll see my other notes to you on my separate email but - just for whatever benefit this observation has to the entire group reading this thread - my impression is that these BB''s tend to generate an unspoken expectation that some kind of common agreement is (or should be) reached - a ''group view'' if you will. If individual comments deviate from the ''group view'' then the tenor of the discussion can turn critical and the errant view considered somehow improper and unconstructive.

As in life generally, these BB''s work best when there''s a lot of disagreement IMO, just as Jeff has described. He''s received email from me privately wherein I''ve praised the value of his contributions here and elsewhere and, beyond that, I think we both see disagreement as potentially of far more value to the BB overall. It''s a shame that some BB''s make that ''feel'' far more difficult and/or seemingly undesireable than it should be.

My own take on those occasions where we differ in our views is that Jeff''s far more knowledgeable than I am on the dynamics of sailing and the details of construction & design, whereas I may have had more experience in living aboard and long-term cruising than perhaps he''s had. So when we''re both offering views on a topic like yours, an intersection of picking a boat and using it in that fashion, you''re probably getting the most bang for the buck - with a lack of total agreement making the sum greater than the parts.

Jack

[DuaneIsing]

Since this thread has taken a little different turn...

I, too, highly value Jeff''s and Jack''s frequent contributions to this board (as well as many others). I feel that I have learned a lot from them.

Since mid 2001, when I started my re-education in sailing, I learned early on that opinions differ widely on most subjects and that there is often not a single "correct" answer to many questions.

I have also read a number of books on cruising where the author gives advice to the reader as if it is gospel. Reading a different author''s work, you might get a VERY different opinion. Trying to resolve discrepancies like that has taught me to make my own decision as best I can with the facts I have.

I already know that letting someone else actually "choose" a boat for me would be a mistake. So, I listen and learn and will mkae the final decision when the time comes (within the next 9 months, I hope).

Good luck with your decisions.

Duane

[mcain]

Duane, I highly agree with you. I too highly value Jeff and Jack''s opinions--they are among the most thoughtful and experienced people on this or any other net--and all of us benefit from the time they spend here.
However, all boats are compromises among highly conflicting requirements. While at anchor or a marina, you want a large boat with complex systems for comfort. During maintenance periods, a simple boat is best. While kedging off a sandbar, a lightweight boat is better. While offshore, a seakindly boat is needed. And above all else is money.
An very experienced friend of mine, with 25 years of sailing experience and quite a bit of offshore and cruising time selected the E37 as his boat of choice--again balancing all of these factors. Was it the best choice? Maybe yes, maybe no, but for him, with his reasons and his eyes open, it worked.
Most important of all is for the buyer to get as much experience as he can with various boats. To identify, as much as possible, his requirements for the boat--even write them down. Offshore? Daysailing? Cruising? Island-hopping? Marina Happy Hours? Working on the boat (therapy!)? Bays, ocean, lake? What percentage is each? Which is more important? Who else is going to be on the boat and for how much of the time? Is it a couple, family, entertaining, single-handing? From these requirements, you can develop a profile of the characteristics of the "ideal" boat, then start selecting among actual boats out there. And then survey the final selection.
And above all else--seldom talked about--is emotion. Most important is that just looking at "Your Boat" should make you feel great. Sailing "Your Boat" through a harbor should swell the heart and gladden your day. Sounds corny, but we get boats for the love of it. Its tons cheaper and easier to stay on land. For a $400 plane fare you can get to any island in the Caribbean. So, do the requirements, develop ideal characteristics, research available boats, get a good survey of the final choice, but above all else, feel the joy of it.
Peace.

[flicker]

Jeff, Jack, Duane and m,

I wholeheartedly agree with all of you. I''m sorry if my "gentleman dogfight" analogy gave the impression of unfriendliness. It wasn''t intended. If everyone immediately agreed on everything, there would be no need for conversation.

In my mind I see this very conversation, that we all are taking part in, could easily be taking place with just as much passion, involvement and conflict of experience and ideas in a port pub, with everyone amicably buying each others pints.

I appreciate every word that has been written.

Chas

[h37skipper]

I agree with everyting "flicker" wrote. But then I own an H37C(1979). No blisters and no leaks. Sail single-handed all the time. But how I wish she would sail to a PHRF of 155(not in my shoal-draft of 4.5'').

Try the "sailboat calculator" just to see how the H37C ranks.
http://image-ination.com/sailcalc.html