If we are taking displacement boats/passagemakers there are fundemental goods and bads, If you want to make arguements as to why a Marine Trader/Grand Banks or any so called semi-displacement boat is a perfect passagemaker, then take it offshore and surf., its a once in a lifetime experience-do it once and never again. Good is in the hull, Hit something and you will want steel, set it in fire, you will want steel, take small arms fire, steel,/kevlar Bulb Bows, increase waterline lenght and speed/efficiency,more importantly reduce pitching. Round Sterns/big rudders-don't immedialty broach like flat sterns in following seas. Air Height, windage/friction/roll-seasickness,tossed passangers,fear Depth, 20ft offshore would be nice, 18 inches at anchorage, Any more than 5ft for eastern US / Bahamas coastal cruising is a pain. Sooner or later we find those moments of terror seperated from the hours of boredom. If your focus is a stand up engine room ,queen aft bed, speed, varnished flat transom, then you will do better tied up to the dock. If a boat isn't right to start with it will never be right, The compromises that marketers make to sell a product should never be confused with what is right at sea. Kevin Trawler Jolie Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com