very true. I look at the Bristol Channel Cutter (my favorate,
aesthetically) and the Nor'Sea and the old Allieds and the non-decimal
Bristols the way I look at Meg Ryan (to a 50-something she looks good).
Many of the boats that I am attracted to are full keel (or 3/4). I came
close last month to buying a beautifully restored Allied 35' and I am
very attracted to the 'Princess', but, given that my home is the
Chesapeake, I suspect that an affair with a full keel boat will, in the
long run, prove to be less than satisfying. However, I confess that I
would like to hear to the contrary.
Last weekend I was sailing with a group on one of the few boats
willing to deal with strong shifting winds on the Chesapeake; the
conditions in which these boats would excel - saw a large Beneteau give
up. I was taking a sailing course in a small 22' - great way to really
get your feet wet. However, in July and August in the upper Chesapeake
I suspect that I would get pretty frustrated owning a full keel boat.
Again, I do not care much about speed - I do the swimming race across
the bay and I am trying to get away from that kind of competitive
upmanship. But I do not want, especially with an older boat, to rely
too heavily on the motor. I want a boat that I can regularly take down
the Chesapeake and back for 3-5 days by myself and sometimes with my
wife and teenage son. I want to hang out, take in my environs and have
lots of time to be with myself and write. But, as a retiring
triathlete/adventure racer I know that once I hone my skills I will
want to explore less accomodating waters, so I do not want a boat built
only for mellow moments.