On Wed, 08 Aug 2007 08:53:09 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

Most boats will
stand up to normal and *appropriate* use fairly well.

Agreed.

The problem is trying to figure what normal and appropriate is for any
given boat.

The manufacturers and sales people are certainly not going to help you
out, nor will the boating magazines who have never met a boat they
didn't like.

Virtually all 21 foot boats however, especially Bayliners, are
designed for use in protected water, typically with waves and chop
less than 1 foot high, winds less than 12 kts.

Above all, do not overload the boat, learn how to navigate, and learn
proper boat operation and safety. Way too many people think that if
they can operate a car that they can also operate a boat. Nothing
could be further from the truth. Your local coast guard auxiliary and
power squadron organizations offer courses everywhere at little or no
charge. You owe it to the safety of your friends and family to take
one of these courses before operating any boat.