How big are you

[Lakesailor]

I've sailed stuff up to 68 feet. Some were dogs, some were not. The least rewarding boat I've sailed was a Prelude, 19'.

You haven't sailed real dogs then.

 

[BruceDanforth]

I'm happy to sail around single handed in my Hurley 22 for the next couple of years. She has a new outboard, roller reefing and main and I didn't fit them for someone else to use. I'd quite like to cruise her from Elbe to Brest if finances/work ever permit. Next will be something heavier around 28-30 ft and will be a cash purchase. I've sailed bigger boats and a 40 footer can still feel quite small in Biscay. For longer ocean passages it is nice to have a bigger boat with a generator and a watermaker. It gets a bit grim keeping clean with salt water or baby wipes for more than a few days in tropical heat. For those kind of trips there is always Crewseekers.

 

[ChattingLil]

I clicked the wrong option and cannot change it now - sorry!

I was in the 29' camp until I both downsized and upsized at the same time
Now we have a 44' (40' w/o bowsprit) as a liveaboard to suit the longer-term cruising plan (many years away), but I also have 24' for weekends - double :-D

 

[Moss]

31 for me .. since 09 and 29.6 prior to that (if relevant)
M

 

[John_Silver]

31' for me too, both this boat and her predecessor. Seems like a good size. Small enough to singlehand easily and to tuck into harbour when you need shelter (we're riding out this blow anchored above the fish quays in Castletownbere harbour, Bantry Bay); big enough to be comfortable to cruise (La Rochelle last summer, West coast Ireland via Scilly, at the moment - www.allatseawithstargazer.blogspot.com )

 

[rotrax]

This is very true, and I have only suggested smaller boats as a result of my own experience with large and small boats.

It is a fact though that larger boats with their increased mass are less rewarding to sail, and much less useful / instructive to learn in than dinghies.

Unless, like First Mate and I you come to sailing late and have not got the physical requirements -or indeed the incination- to get wet and cold and have the risk of capsizing.

The above can also be read in Hiscock's "Cruising Under Sail". I for one agree with his writings on this matter.

An interviewer asked the American chat show host and confirmed petrolhead Jay Leno what his favourite motorbike was. He owned about 200.

His reply was simple and elegant-"The one I am riding when I'm asked that question"

Perhaps this should be considered by some posters-from Mao's little red book-"True Knowlege is the product of direct experience."

We have owned our heavy long keeler for just over four years now. As we get to know her it becomes more rewarding every passage. We are constantly finding little tweaks and either improving or worsening her performance, although the latter is less frequent.

In another ten years time I may be able to speak with a little more authority on the subject of heavy long keel cutter rigged yachts, but untill then I shall keep quiet!

On the other hand, should anyone here want some serious advice on how to slide an 80 BHP brakeless motorbike around an enclosed dirt track, I'm your man...........................

 

[Philiz]

Depends who's asking, but 38 feet officially. Interesting poll

 

[TSB240]

Make it small in France

We have just revisited Le Crouesty in Brittany

By claiming we were 6.99metres long and 2.6 wide we saved ourselves 6 euros

Last time we just said 7metres.

6 euros for an extra centimetre!

We are actually a lot bigger! But we are playing the traditional french game of calling it smaller than you actually are!

 

[Tomahawk]

Unfair poll....
we have eighty four feet of waterline.... in two bits...

there is no option for us.......

 

[Tomahawk]

my boats size depends where i am , pub or dockmasters office

off thread , but ,why do boats of differing lengths have to pay varying amounts for using the same berth in marinas , rubbery if you ask me !!!

Too bl00dy true..
Last night wrere were ripped off £80 in Dieppe...
next to us was a mono taking up a berth that was suitable for a cat... he should have paid the same price as us... did he heck! !