Conference unifix::sailing

Living aboard: It really depends on you. The weight and volume of
necessary food, water, fuel, clothing, books, and much boat equipment
are relatively independent of boat size. I am becoming quite creative
finding space on a 32 foot boat for all the equipment and supplies we'd
like to have along for extended cruising. I'd find a 27 foot boat too
small for living aboard for more than, say, a month. Moreover, the
smaller the boat the less space there is separating you from an angry
mate. 

Offshore cruising: Extended passages in small boats are possible (eg,
the Pardeys, John Guzzwell's circumnavigation in a 20 foot boat, alone,
etc), but the risk and discomfort are greater than on a somewhat larger
boat. Some surveys of long term cruising folk indicate that 35 to 40
feet is the optimum size for a crew of two. Surveys also indicate that
the most successful crew is a crew of two -- one of each gender. What
you think is large enough is really your decision. For me, 27 feet is
too small. I'd be willing to sail my 32 foot boat around the world. I'd
much rather circumnavigate a 40 foot boat, but cost then becomes a major
issue. 

Alan

    Can you point me in the direction of those "surveys" for greater
    insight?  I thought I read that the Vancouver was rated fairly
    well for offshore stuff by Practical Sailor, as opposed to some
    racer-cruiser types that would need beefing up before casting
    off.
    I agree with you in principle about size limitations.  The problem
    you noted with a 35' or 40' in expense is the same for me but in
    the 28' to 34' category.
    Tom
    

I think you may have misunderstood what I meant by surveys. I was not 
referring to the construction, per se, of boats. Rather, I was referring 
to questioning experienced sailors about what they like and dislike 
about their boats and equipment. 

Jimmy Cornell in Modern Ocean Sailing (I think the title is) asked a 
large number of sailors who have been cruising longer than a year to 
rate various things on a scale of 1 to 10. For example, on a scale of 1 
to 10, how do your rate your

	cutter rig
	diesel engine
	propane stove
	windvane
	autopilot
	etc

There were also, as I recall, some wishful thinking questions. What size
boat would you like to have? what rig? what keel shape? etc. A 2nd
edition of Cornell's book was published recently. There have also been
articles published in Cruising World and Sail along the same lines. 

I don't think that PS has specifically evaluated the Vancouver 27. PS 
tends to look at boats which have been built in large numbers. I think 
that PS's position would be that there are boats, large and small, that 
are safe offshore and boats, large and small, that aren't. The 
difference tends to be in basic design and quality of construction. Some 
deficiencies are correctable, some aren't.

    You answered my question about surveys.  I will try and pick up
    a copy of Cornell's book for comments in general.  Thanks.
    Tom
    

Correction: The title is Modern Ocean Cruising, published by Adlard 
Coles. 

Some results:

Rig	      Average	     Percent        Average LOD
	       Rating	     of Total	      (feet)

Sloop		8.58		31		33
Cutter		9.25		19		39
Ketch		8.10		44		42
Yawl		5.00		 2		42
Schooner	7.33		 5		67

Keel

long		8.96		68
medium		9.12		14
fin		8.93		14
bilge		6.50		 4

Length			   Average crew size

<35 ft		7.75		2
35-40 ft	9.27		2.5
40-45 ft	8.83		2.4
>45 ft		9.25		3.5

The book has lots of other useful information. 79% preferred CQR anchors 
(9.1 rating), the rest Danforths (8.8 rating) in sizes larger than 
recommended by the manufacturer.