Bobsprit wrote:

Scotti Potty brought up an interesting point, even if it was in an attempt to
troll.
How many of us are on our "last boats?"

Lady Kate will do well for a long, long time (baring accidents)
but probably won't be the "last boat". Especially after reefing
three times in an hour, when the tendonitis in the shoulders says
hello, the realisation is there that in say 10 years time I
physically may not be able to do the needful. Perhaps stretch
that to 15 years if I install winches. Even so, the "last boat"
might still be a non-sailing Lady Kate, run as a motor drifter,
quietly working her way up the inland rivers.

Reason for Lady Kate's longevity?
-easily singlehanded
-huge amounts of below-deck room without design cutenesses
-a decent galley, icebox,sink, stove (tho no oven, but a camp
oven on the stove works well)
-standing headroom in the galley
-long (7') saloon berths
-queen-size double sleeping flat in the stern quarters (only
lounging headroom tho.)
-simple, fast, easy maintenance, including counterwieghted mast
in tabernacle and so, freedom from the tyranny of cranes and
yards
-simple, fat, easy sailplan
-excellent ventilation
-lots of storage lockers
-no-release waste systems likely to meet EPA extortionate demands
for the forseeable future

NOw, none of the above relate to sailing, in particular racing
characteristics. As a racer, forget it (heeling hard makes for
mess below decks!) As a cruiser, fast enough and closewinded
enough.

But they all relate to comfort and the little things that become
a real pain as one gets older--things like not being able to
stand up, or not being able to raise knees in a coffin-like
bunk. It's still primitive compared with Thom's pilothouse
luxury, but then its warmer down here...
--
Flying Tadpole

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