Hello all, After 12 years of searching (seriously and non-seriously) for the perfect boat for cruising the ICW, Bahamas, and other places of interest, my wife Kemba and I developed a list of the top things we would like to have in the "IDEAL" boat. We didn't do this in a vacuum. We read a lot of boating magazines, read a lot of discussion group ideas, attended many Trawler-fests, Trawler ports, boat shows, chartered sailboats, trawlers, dragged friends along across country, modified our list, until we finally decided on the boat of "our dreams" according to the checklist. Interestingly, it met all but one of the 30 items on our list. Our 44 foot boat has a 5 foot cockpit on the stern. But, by prioritizing the top 10 for me and the top 10 for Kemba, we really BOTH found the "boat of our dreams." Top 30 Criteria 1. Live above the waterline with large windows to let the light in and to see the view 2. Inside helm station 3. Sea kindly, stable, and well built 4. Comfortable size for two people to handle and live aboard full-time in comfort for many years (36 to 45 foot range) 5. Less than 5 foot draft and able to achieve air draft of less than 19 feet to be able to travel the great loop 6. Easy on and off the swim platform (don't want to face the "wall") 7. Large enough to handle safely in any waters we may go 8. Strong enough for safe passage in any storm situation we might encounter 9. Small, economical, naturally aspirated twin diesels - 8 to 10 knot boat 10. Walk in engine room 11. Walk around decks 12. Generator 13. Full electronics (chart plotter, radar, depth gauge, radios, etc.) 14. Chart table (space) 15. Head with separate shower 16. Large fuel capacity for extended cruising 17. Large fresh water capacity for extended cruising 18. Ample holding tank for head 19. Side doors for main salon 20. Heater (+ AC would be nice) 21. Dinghy 22. Anchor and chain rode with heavy duty wench 23. Walk around bed 24. Washer / Dryer 25. Comfortable, large aft deck 26. "U" shape galley on main salon deck 27. Ample refrigeration 28. Oven, stove, microwave, twin sinks 29. Lots of storage for all the "stuff" you can't live without 30. Guest stateroom with in suite head The boat we chose was a DeFever 44 + 5 CPMY. It met the criteria. http://www.boatersites.com/SpiritDancer/SpiritDancerHome.htm Remember, this is a list of the things we wanted. we have to continue to work as we take this journey. Fortunately, we've been able to transition our instructor led training courses into web-based training. We'll finally be underway October 1, 2008 from Seabrook Texas. Best regards, Bob Bob DeGroot, D.C.H. M/V Spirit Dancer DeFever 49 CPMY Lakewood Yacht Club - Seabrook, Texas MTOA # 1896 - DeFever Cruisers # 857 Great Loop Assoc. (AGLCA) # 427 Texas Mariners Cruisers Association www.BoaterSites.com Cell (713) 876-878 Bob DeGroot, DCH Sales Training International (281) 367-5599 (800) 551-7355 (713) 876-8787 (cell) www.SalesHelp.com