Keep in mind cleats, chocks, fendering, and air draft.

Locks put a premium on large, easy to use cleats, preferably bow,
stern, and midships. I would want ridiculously large cleats -- the 15"
Suncor S3145, for example, as you'll want to use bigger line than
normal. (see www.suncorstainless.com)

Closed chocks are useful, as lines often lead up. Many chocking
arrangements assume that you're running lines forward from the bow and
aft from the stern. It's helpful if you can run lines both forward
and aft, as you often can't choose where the lock tie up will be. All
of this can be retrofit, up to a point.

Think about how you're going to fender the boat. Boats with large
central flattish sections are much easier than those with significant
flare throughout. Where are you going to tie the fenders? Where will
you store four to six much bigger fenders than usual for the boat size
-- remember, you may have to fender both sides if you've got a boat on
one side and the lock wall on the other?

Air draft should not be a problem in boats of the size you mention
unless you go for a fixed fly bridge. One of our parameters in
choosing Fintry was air draft low enough to go from the Hudson to Lake
Erie, 20 feet. The Hudson through Lake Champlain to the Saint Lawrence
allows only 17 feet, too low for us. If you want to use the whole New
York State system you have to stay under 15.5'. (see
http://www.canals.state.ny.us/faq/index.html)

(For those who venture to the web site and see a mast, I should add
that the Fleet Tenders were built with the mast in a tabernacle,
lowering into a pad aft on the stack.)

Jim Woodward
www.mvFintry.com



"ken" wrote in message ...
My wife and I are trying to decide upon a suitable boat for doing the
canals and waterways of the northeast. We are experienced great lakes
cruisers having owned sail and power boats to 34 feet. Some of the
parameters on our wish list include: standing headroom, head with
shower, walk around decks, 15 mph cruise when possible, aft cockpit,
comfy sleeping for two, glass or steel or aluminum construction. We
have considered the Nordic 26 and Albin 27 and Marinette 28 as well as a
variety of downeasters under 30 feet.
Smaller is better. Simplicity is important. And, since cost is a
factor, it will be used, not new.
Any ideas?
Thanks, Ken
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