* Charlie Morgan wrote, On 4/19/2007 6:05 PM:
On Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:49:43 -0400, Jeff wrote:

* Capt. Rob wrote, On 4/19/2007 2:17 PM:
Hey, there are assholes like Jeff who sit around questioning how
people enjoy their toys.

I never questioned your right to buy an expensive boat and then never
use it. My very first post concerning your Benny was that it was the
perfect boat for you.

I've only commented on your qualifications to advise other people on
nautical matters. Anyone who claims that air conditioning is required
to cruise in New England (otherwise "it would be horrific") has
forfeited that right.

I don't think that air conditioning is required, but I can tell you that there
was one night in Port Jeff a couple of years ago in mid-August where is WAS
horrific without it. It was during a heat wave, and it was brutal trying to
sleep. We were tempted to get a room at Danfords, but decided we could deal with
one night of intense discomfort.

I can remember a few nights that were oppressive, but the only real
brutal nights were dockside, never at anchor. And this includes
cruising through Florida. Of course, we have two large hatches
directly over the bunk, and the hulls tend to funnel any breeze up
over the deck. If I lived dockside, I would consider adding A/C, but
not for cruising.

We don't do circumnavigations, or anything like
that, so a little adversity here and there makes our adventures memorable.
Although the boat is wired for it, we have never used shore power. I'll bet you
think cruising would be horrific without THAT.

Why do people think I spend time at docks? In the last five years
cruising New England we've spent a grand total of one night onboard
dockside. I've learned that the boat is most comfortable 100 yards
out, not at the dock. Of course, launch service is a luxury I
wouldn't turn down.


Who remembers perfect conditions and no adversity? What do you remember best 10
or 20 years later? We spent one anniversary sailing home through remnants of
Hurricane Charlie. We still remember that as one of our best trips ever. It had
some great "moments" that we'll treasure for the rest of our lives.

I tend to remember the hard passages - pushing through 30 knots for
six hours, or nail biting in peasoup fog. But my wife prefers the
perfect weather, with whales and dolphins and northern lights and
shooting stars and lobsta waiting Down East. Go figure.