When are you guys planning to retire?
My wife and I did a year ago and we're living aboard our yacht for 2,5
years now. In this time we get used to life aboard, refit/prep the
ship, and so on. We're planning on leaving in 2007.

Our advice would be: buy the largest hullspace you can afford
(purchase as well as maintenance), and buy a decksaloon.
Everything about a ship can be altered afterwards except the hull. For
a healthy, longlasting life aboard space is very important. We even
rented a small trailer for 6 months (in winter) to get to know how a
switch from a fairly large home to a space of 50 x 15 feet influenced
us: we love it (and this is one of the instances where your general
attitude regarding life and posessing matter kicks in) ...

Next to that a decksaloon let's you live with normal eye-contact with
the outside world while sitting down. My bet is you would get fed up
with living on a conventional yacht, no matter the size. It's like
living in a cellar with small windows over your head.

For some other subjects to think of before you buy:
Peter Forthmann owns a german factory that manufactures windvanes.
He's an experienced sailor. One subject he elaborates on is "the
perfect yacht".
http://www.windpilot.com/en/Ra/rayacen.html
Imo a sensible piece of information.

Hope to hear again from you.

Len,
S/v Present


On Mon, 5 Sep 2005 20:38:43 -0500, "RB" wrote:

Just what is a blue water boat- size- sail plan- tankage- hull material- and
so on?
My wife and I want to retire and do a circumnavigation just the 2 of us.
What should I look for in a boat?
Rick in St Louis