Scott B wrote; "You know what would be an interesting exercise? For each of us to share what key factors was driving our decisions, and how we ended up choosing the boats we did." Scott went on to list his reasons for picking his present boat. Time: I wanted to leave for our journey within 1.5 to 2 years. B. Quality:.....I had a budget of 500 to 800K and wanted to buy the least amount of boat that would do the job. C. Capability: I wanted a boat that was ocean capable enabling me to circumnavigate......., D. Size: I wanted two staterooms...... I wanted less than 50 feet because of how few slips above 45 there were in the Puget Sound. E. Fit and Finish: My wife needed to feel "at home" in the boat, this left the Diesel Duck out because at the time they were still a bit rough. F. I wanted a fiberglass boat, single screw, diesel, wet or dry exhaust, Pilot house, a fly bridge would be nice, but not necessary, active stabilizers with Paravanes as backup (if ocean crossing). I have admittedly chopped off Scott's comments, abreviated them. I hope this doesn't misconstrue Scott's message of his own requirements and needs. The original question of "key factors driving our decisions and how we ended up choosing the boats we did" is a good point for discussion. Some of mine: As a sailor, last boat a catamaran ketch which averaged about 10 knots around the clock offshore, sailing, motorsailing, or motoring, I decided to try a powerboat this time. My first criteria is performance, a broad one. Performance under power should include both speed and economy. An economical passagemaking speed as well as capability to make some miles when needed also economically, ie, 150 to 200 miles in a daylight passage when conditions suit. Also the capability to surf, take advantage of prevalent conditions in safety and comfort. Performance also includes an inherently stable platform without ballast or active stabilization underway, or active or passive stabilization on the hook. Stability will be subject to a variety of factors when underway. Stability at anchor is a regular feature of catamarans. Performance to me should not be less on a powerboat than what I was accustomed to on a sailboat. Creature comforts, vast on a catamaran. Space to cook, many places to sleep, space to get up and take a walk. Storage space, separation space (for people)... Dinghys. Room to have a couple aboard. This is an important aspect of cruising for me, local exploration via small boat. Small motorboat, small sailboat, kayak, rowing shell...the ability to bring along some small boats. Also an easy lift/launch regime, and a fast one. Plus easy boarding and offloading/onloading from the small boats, for people and stores. Anchoring. Robust anchors with strong and widely spread bridling makes a boat stable at anchor. Cats are easily bridled to keep head into the wx. Also steady and flat on the hook even in a "rolly' anchorage. And easy to get underway again if the need arises without dealing with a bunch-o-stuff hanging off the sides, like paravanes. A good bridling system also works well riding at sea anchor, another important function on a voyaging boat, the ability to hove to, safely. Comfort. In general, boat-length = comfort (and speed). Length in a multihull is a price essentially unpaid for if accomodation is kept under control. In other words, extra length, ie, empty ends, are easy and cheap to build, carry no weight penalty, but improve lifestyle by providing an easier motion and additional speed. The notion of "the shortest boat to do the job" is a flawed concept both performance/wise and comfort/wise. Slip fees are not an ongoing concern to me, I anchor out. So another two cents from another donor. Best regards, Bill Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com