In article DMbtf.1$WX3.0@trndny09,
"Thomas Wentworth" wrote:

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.

Size is relative. We have friends in 35' boats that admire our 28's
usable space, stowage and speed. Primary, for us, was that the "V" is
larger that most primary cabins in boats shorter than about 40'. After
a decade, we've come to enjoy her combination of comfort, stowage,
speed, agility, simplicity and toughness. That we can give a second
couple overnight privacy was an unexpected plus. I wouldn't hesitate to
take her anywhere in the Caribbean or US east coast.

But your requirements surely differ, as do your sailing and
boat-handling skills. Some can single-hand 50' boats, others have
trouble with 30 footers.

Personally, I concentrate on accommodations and crew happiness first. If
they won't step aboard, the trips won't be as fun. Because my wife was
satisfied with what was important to her, she almost always accompanies
me even though she wasn't a sailor when we met.

I believe you're at a point where you should honestly evaluate all the
possibilities and rank their relative importance. For instance, I love
sailing fast, but recognize that the difference between fast and slow
isn't that great amongst the vast number of boats, and an attentive
skipper and appropriate sails will make more difference. Handling a
bigger boat either requires more strength and agility, or
reorganization, simplification and bigger winches, possibly with power
assist.

Then walk the docks and yards, actually trying the boats on for size.
Just last night, we were with friends with a slightly redesigned version
of our boat. Though they look pretty much identical by the numbers and
pictures, their interior is enough different by bare inches that I don't
think I'd want their boat. They were on both, and preferred theirs to
ours. We're still friends ;-)

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/