Jeff wrote:
snip


Not really. Even though I've been on dozens of trips 10 times longer
than your little hop, including being 50 miles offshore a number of
times, I wouldn't presume to advise on the offshore capability of a
vessel other than one I've actually sailed in heavy weather, on a real
ocean.
snip
50 miles offshore.....wow....was it bad.....did the boat tip.....


http://www.rlyachts.net/index24.asp
in that case this little boat is a world cruiser too.
i have had this out in one of our (storms) fresh breeze to us
broached surfing down a wave ...yes i was being and idiot but i was
having a ball at the time from memory the forecast at the time 40 to 45
knot winds 3 meter swell with 2 to 3 meter waves.yes i was knackerd
after wards sore bruised ribs ect does it stop me NO.
when i had the cat's i was heading out when every one else was running
for shelter. In my young years i used to help man the local rescue boat
in winter (summer was easy) now that was a boat to puke your guts up in.
Taught me the real pleasure of sailing
the reason i have chosen the hunter tall rig is for its light breeze
reputation in summer along the coast we have easterly in the morning
swopping to a sea breeze (southwest by west southwest) in the afternoon
this ranges from 2 to 5 knot through to 10 to 15k if it blows.
Wind and waves do not bother me....reefs fog big tides yes that makes me
very nervous and those great big slab sided things called container
ships scare the **** outa me.
P.S does the Indian ocean qualify as a REAL ocean