A few years ago I met an older (older than me) boater who was traveling in a outboard powered boat (about 16 or 17 feet) to which he had fastened what looked to be a camper top from a small pickup truck. He had traveled thousands on miles in this vessel and was having a great time. This same individual told me that he had crossed the Atlantic in a home made sailboat. Size matters in some situations but does not keep you from having fun. Depends on what your needs may be. I crewed on a 26' Nimbus from Toronto to Chicago a couple of years ago; it is a very seaworthy boat though fairly rare in this country I think. The Albin trawler of about the same size is another sturdy boat in a small package. Louis Letson