wrote in message
...
"Donal" wrote:

* * * When I heard that a [Beneteau] 36.7
was available I was quite excited. However,
when I saw it I was *very* dissappointed. The
36.7 is almost a pure racing machine. The
accommodation is [in my opinuion too small]
. . . though the cockpit is huge. * * *
I want performance, but I also want [room in
the boat] to take my family out sailing. The
33.7 has been perfect for us, and I'd really
like to find a slightly bigger version of the
same thing.

If so, why not look at the 40.7 and, if you want something (much more
than "slightly") bigger, look at the 47.7?

The 47.7 makes me slaver at the lips! Unfortunately, it is really too big
for a "family" boat. The keel is also too deep for cruising in my area.
However, every time that I go on one, I really want to sail the thing. If I
was as rich as Oz, then I would own a 47.7, and I would use it on "boy's"
weekends. I love the cockpit! I love the cabin! It just wouldn't be very
practical for us.


The 40.7 doesn't turn me on quite so much because it offers no more
accommodation than the 33.7. The 40.7 (IMHO) wastes all of the extra length
in pursuit of speed. The big wheel means that the interior space stops
about 5 feet from the stern. If you look at the interior dimensions, then
you will see that it offers very little more than the 33.7.

There are some 42s7's around, and they might prove to be a suitable upgrade
path for us.


Regards


Donal
--