Wayne.B wrote:
The difference between PHRF 140 and 180 is less than half a knot.
That's a huge difference to a racing sailor but I wouldn't worry too
much about it for cruising.

Agreed, but it should also be noted that the difference in windward
performance could be bigger than the PHRF rating difference.

BTW one way to figure the difference in boats by their PHRF ratings is
that each point lower equals approx one second per mile. So a difference
of 40 means about half an hour over 45 miles. Is that significant?
Prob'ly not to most cruisers.


... Most cruisers spend more than half their
time motorsailing anyway unless they have a boat that performs very
well in light wind (and that rules out the vast majority of cruising
boats).

Sure, but then most cruiser chose the most barn-like boat they can find,
in hopes of approximating the same comfort they'd get in a suburban home
(without the lawn to mow). Then they rationalize like crazy the boat's
sailing shortcomings, and carry lots of jugs of diesel fuel tied on deck.


... The difference between a 36 and a 40 can mean a lot more room
below however depending on the boat. A 40 is a lot more boat for two
people to handle which is another consideration, but a 40 can be a lot
more comfortable in moderately rough conditions. Everythings a
tradeoff.

Excellent advice. Remember that a boat's size is more accurately
measured by it's cubic than it's length; or it's displacement. And the
costs go up exponentially with size. For example, price out the
replacement running & standing rigging & sails for 36 & 40 footers of
similar type. The bigger boat will cost almost double, usually. But the
bigger boat will also be much more roomy and much more capable (all else
being equal).


... Have you looked at a Pearson 365? It's very roomy for the
length and I know several people who have cruised and lived aboard on
them.

Also Pearsons were pretty well built boats.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King