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The numbers may tell you something by comparing our Gozzard 36 to the
Cabo Rico 38 they come out pretty close to the same so I would agree with John. We have a 6 ft bow sprit so we measure 42 without
davits but since we have them it's more like 46 ft. and I own a 39 ft slip but I borrow a neighbors 45 ft slip (they are without a boat). In a 39 ft slip the bow hangs over the
dock when the stern
cleats are tied perpendicular to the outer pylons. In a floating slip I would be fine. For a non floating slip and a nominal 3 ft tide I really need the 45 ft slip given we can get another 2 ft of surge in a nor'easter. A tight fitting slip is not storm friendly.
I suspect we do similar to John going to windward since we both share the same opinion and similar numbers. It's not something you go out and do just because you can. The rail in the
water is not comfortable for us and while we may do it for short periods after a while the pain of being struck with a
winch handle by the Admiral levels the
boat quite quickly as we fall off the
wind.
The only issue with cored decks is that unless they were laid properly they exhibit problems caused by a poor construction job or marginal materials. Better hand built
boats have had them for many many years. I doubt John could find a bad spot on their boat. Ours are 18 years old with no problems what so ever. An older boat with problems in a cored
deck is easy for an average
surveyor to find and tell you. They automatically check on any boat they
survey. Minor stuff is fixable.
There are many boats that could fit into similar numbers as a Cobo Rico 38. They all tend to haul a lot of stuff are comfortable to be on sailing or at
anchor in most any
weather. They look great and have nice features made into the design that you don't appreciate until you spend time on the boat in quiet and far away places.
You take these same boats on a reach with 25 plus knots and you fly in comfort and stay dry doing it. Yes the 45 and 50 ft boats are faster.