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From: Jeff (no email)
Date: Thu Apr 12 2007 - 09:02:34 EDT
Michael,
You saved me a lot of typing. But, like others, I think the
partners at the deckhouse do more than stuff the hole. The purpose
is to make an integrally rigid support for the mast. yes, the mast
bends, but not the lower end of it as much as the upper end of it.
Having all this discussion on step stepped versus keel stepped
masts leaves a begging question: Is this the defining attribute in
boat selection? I think not.
My MUCH GREATER CONCERN is to really define what you are going to
do with the boat and what your priorities and risk tolerances are.
When we really thought of it, my lovely last mate, Elise, and I
determined that we really are going to cross oceans. We want to go
to Europe and maybe elsewhere. In order to do that, we had to have
a boat designed to do that. This includes the fact that
displacement monohulls are slower than weather systems and must be
ready to survive a storm or out of season hurricane at sea.
So, the top ten priorities for us, in order from highest to
lowest, were these:
1. Safety at sea
2. Seakindly motion
3. Safety at sea
4. Ergonomic layout for shorthanded crew
5. Safety at sea
6. Simple systems
7. Safety at sea
8. Seakindly motion
9. Safety at sea
10. Sailboat (one that can SAIL upwind)
We sailed 30 types of boats. We bought a Valiant. I'd be glad
to tell you why under seperate cover if you want to know. There
were four runners up, none of them very close: Alujeula 38, Pacific
Seacraft 37, Morgan 384, and Westsail 42. You understand, above all
other plans for our cruising life, we plan to come home again.
I would advise you to shortcut your buying strategy and go
sailing on a Valiant 40 once.
Jeff and Elise Hazzard,
Valiant 40 SeaSpan
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