Pat - Sorry for the long delay - been out of town.
I don't know of any CSYs with significant blister problems. May have an occasional little one here or there, but certainly nothing out of the ordinary. (We've had none in 4 years)
It is not a
full keel - it has a long
keel with a cutaway forefoot and a skeg-hung
rudder with the prop in an aperature - very much like the Valiant 40's. With the deep
keel configuration (6'6") they are very stable and they track very well. The shoal
draft ( a factory option) is about 5', but they don't go to
weather as well, have more sideslip, and rock'n roll more at
anchor.
We sail ours with just the two of us all the time - and I know of a fellow - in MA I think - who has his rigged so he
single hands her! Very forgiving boat to sail, and with the
cutter rig, the
sails are reasonably sized.
We use ours in
charter a few months each year, and a 44 may seem like a lot of boat for just two people, but we LOVE the room (lots of space to put"stuff"), and the walkover layout, which completely separates the huge aft cabin from the rest of the boat, is great if someone wants to read or nap while the other does something else. Absolutely love the huge, deep
cockpit, too... we pretty much live there!
We, too, are on a very limited
budget, but we find the cost to maintain our 44 is not that much more than a bit smaller boat. Where they kill you is if you spend a lot of time in
marinas - because they charge by the foot
LOA. WE NEVER go to
marinas (there are none in our
current area!), so that is not a factor.
We know of families who have circumnavigated on 44's and loved it. Really great
liveaboard boats. Just take your time looking, hire a GOOD
surveyor when you find one you like - and have fun!
Check our website (below) and feel free to contact me off this list if you have any more questions or concerns - glad to help!
Harry Rezzemini
s/v La Nostra
www.lanostra.net