Maxprop wrote:
Wish I could recall the name of their book, but a man and his wife sailed
their 20' Pacific Seacraft Flicka from the US left coast to the South
Pacific. The overriding theme of the book was the constant, incessant
beatings they both took from their passages in such a tiny boat. They quit
counting bruises and contusions after a while, there were far too many of
each. A few serious injuries as well. His wife flew home, forcing him to
single-hand on the homeward legs. Then only HE got beat up.


There's a similar book by a couple from Germany (live near Wilmington NC
as of last report) who circumnavigated in a sistership of Sopranino... a
19 foot offshore racer. Interesting story, including quite a lot of
rough sailing. The worst injury they had to contend with IIRC was a
severe scalding from the galley... a very serious hazard in any boat (or
any kitchen FWIW).


Small boats, while capable of making open water passages, simply don't offer
the level of comfort most humans have come to expect while sailing. Length
generally equals comfort.

JG wrote:
I agree with you about small boats and level of comfort.

I'd say that either displacement or cubic capacity equals comfort.

... Mine is fine for
day sails, but I've never quite gotten used to the cofin-size sleeping
arrangement.


It's that traditional low sweeping profile. If you don't mind higher
freeboard, you get decent head (and elbow) room. The Hunter 19 was quite
comfortable for weekending, or any length of cruise where you could tie
up or anchor in good shelter at night. Wouldn't be much fun trying to
sleep offshore in it though.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King