On Jun 14, 12:13 am, klubko wrote:
Thanks for nice post (and thanks to Wayne too)
Actually the light wind performance seems to bother people so......

NOt sure what you mean hear. DO you mean that some people believe that
boats that perform well in light wind are suspect and should be
avoided?


But I have found some posts on sailnet.net
saying that it takes little practice to tack on WS32,

Predictable, stable are words I would use. With that much weight its
got good momentum to continue in a turn. That's why you got to drive
some light boats through a turn. I had a 15 sailing dory that simply
would not tack unless I hoped over to the future lee side at a very
specific time. Something about increased wetted area and drag caused
the tack. Actually in a good small boat (under 20') its possible to
sail it with out a rudder. Just use sail and movable ballast (body)
adjustments and tack away.

but that it's
not really that slow...


Fast and slow are extremely abstract, equivable, opinion language.
What is fast?
Is fast 25 K
14K is slow compared to 25k but fast compared to 6.5.
9.5K
6.5K
4.8K is just right if the 9.5 K boat can only do 3.5K in a the same
conditins where the 4.8 is designed to sustain a comphy ride.

Personally im there for the ride. Id rather lose 3-4 days on a leg and
gain a safe, steady, easy to handle trip.

of course another post saying: most of the
westsail 32 cruisers told me that they have to motor most of the time :

Don't believe any thing you read here including my warped ideas of
boating.

Yea, WS32 motor around. But when your offshore and its been blowing
20-35K with gusts to 45K for a week guess what boat will be a
joy....ur maybe less of a pain to sail? Its all about:
AREAS OF OPERATION. What are the sea conditions you'll spend 51% of
your time?

As for ericson 39's ability to handle heavy weather, there are few
salty stories showing that it's actually rather good boat (and also
good for breeze), cf.http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexc...p?t=3900&highl...,
Guy Stevens' post.

I would be very cautious reading a website dedicated to those who love
a boat. Also ask yourself, where is the majority of the poster's
sailing experience?

Here is a good exercise. Read Skip & Lydia's Great Adventure they
posted here. They took a 45' +/- a foot or so, boat and the wife drove
it on a FL reef. Why? They said they had experienced heavy seas that
caused all the problems that led to the grounding. Now look at the
weather reported both by Skip and NOAA. I think it was something like
12-15' seas and 20K wind.
Those numbers may be a bit off but the moral of their story was, they
were terrified and incapacitated by what we call around here a good
day for sailing. Just think Chicken Little.

We still have a year or so before the actual purchase so we are still
quite open minded to anything.

Great ! ! ! I bought my latest boat in AUG 2001. I'll have my house
sold this summer. And then be, thank God, homeless and 100% sail.

Review that Cruising Boat list link from Mahina. There are lots of
really great boats that have "fallen between the cracks" and many are
listed on the Mahina link.


As for the use, I take back that
westsail 32 would be too small, I was too hasty to click.

Think volume...

I don't find
the double-ended boats much appealing either,

O M G now this is another great debate: Double End v. Others!
I actually read some idiot say that the only reason double enders were
built was because it was the only way you could bend wood into a boat
shape. I guess he forgot about scows/barges, garveys, dorys, etc
Double ended boats are an accceptable design. I have one.

Personally I think the reason double enders are seldom made if GRP now
days........... is they arent popular i.e. marketable. And its hard to
mold a swimming ladder and a cocktail bar to the stern on a double
ender.

Hummmm, I hear those two 19 yo college kids i have painting my house
moving the ladder. Gota go. Have fun with the search and remember:
People only know what they know and most are very willing to convince
you the same.

Board Bob................but soon

but I if I could get one
I wouldn't mind at all. Just cosmetics.
Thank
Petr