[PUP] Discussing the Perfect Passagemaker

[Jonathan Haas]

Friends:
I would certainly agree with George and others that the idea of actually
designing a "perfect" passagemaker is a fruitless endeavor.  We all do want
some idiosyncratic set of attributes for our "perfect" boat.  That being said,
however, the lively discuss we have had going now for a couple of weeks has
succeeded in bringing out a great flowering of ideas from different people
about what they consider to be important and why.  We all get the chance to
hear the opinions of others, weigh those opinions against our own
needs/desires and move on to the next post.  It is truly not very helpful to
disparage one boat or another without some context as to what attributes are
bad or good.  One boat may be a little bigger and have more engine room than
another boat, but it sits up much higher in the dock.  What is more
important?  Obviously there is no one answer to that question.  But to listen
to those who have experience and preferences on the issue is
 extremely informative.  Just taking the Diesel Duck as a great example, a
number of people have commented on the fact that the galley is down and
doesn't have nice views.  But for some people that trait is not as critical as
the other positive attributes of a DD.  Now, from my perspective, it would be
great to hear from George about why he put the galley down, but I understand
the lure of the bird dogs.

I am definitely with Fred in his wish that we keep up this discussion and
appreciate Scott's ideas about some of the topics we might address.  My wife,
Winifred (she is not the Admiral, incidently, but the Sea Goddess), by the way
is completely involved in our training, research, plans, and will be taking
her own independent training in a course just for women this year.  Now, how
about a discussion about a full walk-around on a boat vs. just one side?  How
much fuel do you need for blue water passagemaking? What are the advantages
and disadvantages of the front berth vs aft berth?  Does every passagemaker
need a watermaker? 

My warmest regards and thanks to all,

Jonathan Haas