[tallboy]

Hi watchkeeper,

thanks again for everything you'd written down. It helps me a lot to find the right boat and to refit her regarding to long term cruising purposes.

I'm already retired and want to start the cruising life asap cause my time is limited.
I recognized that the rigs are mainly based on steel masts and not really suitable for ocean cruising. On a wooden boat I'd prefer to have wooden masts too.

I agree completely that nails are not a solution!

What are your thoughts on the laminated planking they are offering today?
I guess oak frames would be the first choice if they're strong enough and regarding the planking my intension is going to mahagony cause iroko is too heavy and pine too weak.
Thanks too for the information about tanks and the sanitary system which is for sure an important issue. Would you go for the diesel tanks on steel?

Unfortunately I didn't got any comments of yourself on my idea of the self tending sails with three masts. CDI offers excellent furlers but for a luff of max 40'only.
They gained a lot of experience over the years. Lower masts mean smaller sails, less headaches with the masts and having different furled foresails you can play with. this size can be trimmed by mechanical winches and sail area is as big as with a two mast rig.

I agree with your statements about pilothouses and deck salon. But having a deck salon like your pilothouse and a flush deck seems to me a good compromise. I don't like to live in a cellar. Sitting in the salon I'd like to have some view. The cabins are a different story cause they're for sleeping mainly.
Here ventilation is a major issue.

Your story encourages me to go over 60ft to realize my program of room which I'd like to have. So I' looking now a classic gulet (rounded shape stern) 69' to 80', low profile with a well built hull. The other staff can be changd with less efforts.

Thanks again and hopefully we'll be in touch.
Michael