LINK:

http://www.eskimo.com/~mighetto/p04.htm

Here's an excellent site with some well thought out opinions....

"British naval architects established in the 1950s that the smallest
practical ocean cruiser in the modern age is a bit less than 20 feet.
All the provisions necessary can be stowed for comfortably and safely
circumnavigating the globe in 20 to 30 footers and there are super
markets at the remotest of ports of call. The historical record is
full of examples of those who have done so (Trekka, Flicka, Kawabunga,
Alsvid, Dove, and Varuna for example.)"

"Analysis of popular cruising areas reveals that 98% of the time winds
are between 4 and 21 knots (4.6 and 24.15 MPH). 93% of the time they
are between between 4 and 16 knots (4.6 and 18.4 MPH). Yet in the
Pacific Northwest and other cruising areas where sport fishing is
common, the causal boater may conclude that conditions are dangerous
much more often than not."