Tom--

You probably know all about Westsail 32's. Heavy, full keel, comfortable,
and about as fast as the Budweiser Clydesdales. (Built like them, too.) I
owned one for ten years, dreamed about offshore cruising, and learned too
late I started dreaming too late. (North of septugenarian status now.)
Having discovered, anyway, the difference between a dream and a fantasy, we
sold the boat two years ago and bought a Lord Nelson Victory Tug. You can
go cruising and still be indoors, and in our part of the country (Pacific
NW) that doesn't mean you're a sissy....Had a wonderful 3-month cruise, 2500
miles, to Alaska and back this past summer.

Anyhow, I'm still infatuated with the Westsail, and suggest you have a
look--or another.

Must say, though, Strider is a beauty.

Here's the link to the broker who is selling our old Westsail for the chap
who bought her from us.

Cheers, fair winds, and blue skies to you.


Dick Behan





http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...neservicenter&



"Thomas Wentworth" wrote in message
newsMbtf.1$WX3.0@trndny09...
After a number of years away from sailing and cruising, I am starting to
get back ... little by little.

Using my past boat ownership experience, three full keel boats. Two were
ok, one was a DOG.

I am looking at different boats on the net. There sure are a lot of boats
for sale.

My criteria: well built ( I don't care how old, just well built ), ocean
worthy, either no engine or a diesel engine [ please don't tell me that a
35 year old Atomic 4 is fine, all you need to do it keep them
maintained ], a conservative design [ I plan on cruising not racing ], and
big enough to sail anywhere but small enough to sail alone.

That is the question; what size? I want to have my family out with me
but if they are busy or don't care to go or if I take off for an extended
trip .......... what size sailboat [ I shudder at the term yacht ] would
be just about right for a single hander?

Here are a few of the boats I have looked at over the last few days. A
Pearson 35 [ built late 60's and one built early 70's ], and Albin Ballad
[ built 1976, Sweden? .. 29'something "'s .. not that heavy .. has fin
keel ...spade rudder ?? ... ], and a whole bunch of boats like this.

What do you experts think... if you aren't an expert and have an
opinion... that is even better.