A sporty hard top with patio doors?

[gjgm]

Yup, but the risks are different these days. As a kid, I used to bike everywhere; I didn't think anything of cycling on my own into the centre of London from my home in NW London, day or night, just for the hell of it. I wouldn't dream of allowing my son to do the same but he is exposed to risks such as gang culture, knives, drugs and STD's which just weren't around in my youth. It's a different world out there now. Kids don't hurt themselves falling out of a tree anymore but they pop pills in clubs and carry knives

Sure, its a different world to the one we grew up in, but then this is their world to grow up in, and it isnt all pill poping,knive wielding gangs, even if some tabloids think so.
Hey, every parent has the right to bring their child up pretty much as they feel is best. Funnily enough, I suspect its not long before the kids are more in touch than the adults. Got to let go at some point.

 

[oceanfroggie]

By sporty I meant a full planing hull i.e. not semi-d like most of the Nimbus and other ranges.

Some good suggestions in there...

It depends of the type of boating and cruising you are interested in (ie typical passage lengths and intended cruising area). I wouldn't get too fixated on full planing V's semi hulls or even performance. West coast of scotland with the north Atlantic swell your not going to be able to use the power all of the time anyhow, limited to displacement speeds in some swell periods. In such waters SD hulls can perform better and give a more comfy ride (ie thinking of family on board). There is no right or wrong but worth doing the research.

I've learned the hard way over the years to focus on how we live when on board and how the living fun space on board performs rather than just the boats performance on the water. A leisurely passage at 15kt can be very comfy on some boats compared to bone rattleing along at 30kt, and on exceptional days sticking the boat on autohelm at displacement speeds can be offer some excellent chill out time during the passage. Sometimes the bit between A and B can be more enjoyeable than the time spent at B.

We had an FB and loved it, but it just didn't suit our climate. Now we have a single aft raised helm under hood or open to wind in yer hair depending on the weather, but fully enclosed cockpit which is great when toddlers are on board. Best of both worlds and no space wasted with two helm stations and no ladders. If we ever moved to the med though I would seriously consider moving back to an FB which can take full advantage of that climate.

 

[rubberduck]

And you do own one of the best, Don't you???

It is beginning to look that way, not missed a beat yet