In other words, places you can't call the CG or Vessel Assist/Boat US
 and expect help, and you have to be self-reliant and solve any problem
 on your own, and deal with any weather that comes up. That means
 either very remote coastal cruising (e.g portions of Gulf of Alaska)
 or 200 hundred miles or more offshore.

 Maybe someone has a better definition of a Passage.

 Or will the "fast trawler" crowd cry foul? Are they even represented
 here?

 I admit to being myopic when it comes to off-shore boats, and see full
 displacement and ballasted keels as a requirement. But maybe I'm
 looking too close to home.

 All I know, is that we rarely see semi-displacement boats in the more
 adventurous areas, presumably due to range or seaworthiness issues.
 John Marshall
 N55-20 Serendipity

Dear Randal That quote from Mark Twain was simply wonderful, and oh so true. Thank you for that quote, I forwared it on to quite a number of people. I grew up in a military family that took me around the world, and that instilled a wonderlust in me to see more of it. I'll be moving to Thailand soon. There was also an old TV series that inspired me, "Adventures in Paradise". I mention a few of these influences here: <http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/general-sailing-discussion/6710-motor-sail ers-philip-rhodes-john-alden.html> I wonder how many of the older generation on this forum recall this TV series and/or the adventures of Sterling Hayden. I'm sure your had more than a few discussions with Bill Kimley about your vessel as well as his love of motorsailers. In fact Bill and I corresponded for awhile about the subject when I first put up my website and its section on motorsailers back in 2001. I believe he is still fond of his Mandarain 52 <http://www.seahorseyachts.com/> _________________________________________________________ John Marshall wrote: And perhaps "doing it" means operating in areas where shore-based support systems are absent. In other words, places you can't call the CG or Vessel Assist/Boat US and expect help, and you have to be self-reliant and solve any problem on your own, and deal with any weather that comes up. That means either very remote coastal cruising (e.g portions of Gulf of Alaska) or 200 hundred miles or more offshore. Maybe someone has a better definition of a Passage. Brian replied: How about a trip to the Line Islands in the Pacific: <http://www.runningtideyachts.com/archives/FishZone1.html> Or will the "fast trawler" crowd cry foul? Are they even represented here? I admit to being myopic when it comes to off-shore boats, and see full displacement and ballasted keels as a requirement. But maybe I'm looking too close to home. All I know, is that we rarely see semi-displacement boats in the more adventurous areas, presumably due to range or seaworthiness issues. John Marshall N55-20 Serendipity Brian replied: Motorsailers can meet this long distance requirements