Hi David, I've been reading your emails for a long time now. you've always been a complete gentleman and write the most wonderfully informative stuff! I stirred it up once by asking a simple question, Nordhavn or Selene. in the end we decided to go with a boat better suited to our budget. a 49 DeFever RPH. We are also new and aspiring cruisers and felt that when we get some more experience, we can upgrade then, probably to a Nordhavn 47. We named her Cavara, a split name for Don Cavin & Barbara Wilkinson. We plan on a shakedown cruise heading north in June from Beaufort, NC. We've had her on the hard while we have completely gone through her running gear, hull and engine room etc etc. We look forward to meeting cruisers out there in the coming months, and years, as we take "baby steps" toward our goal of long range cruising the way you do David. We also want to thank all who write in with such interesting boating material, we read every single message! Your efforts are never in vain! Barbara. barb.wilkinson@att.net doncavin@att.net