I have a little different philosphy than Marvin. That is we buy a boat for a voyage or a series of voyages. When that is done, we sell that boat, and if it is a few years between major voyages, we buy a smaller boat, use that for other purposes, then buy another larger or more expensive boat. What is good for crossing oceans may not be good for doing the loop, or exploring inland waters. This philosophy allows us more exploration and for us better use of our resources of investing the money which was in the large boat. We have found that we have been able to get the money back out of most boats, or even make a little "profit" on occasion. I'll have to admit I enjoy messing around with boats, and building up the systems and fixing the boats up. Now we are ordering a new boat--and will go thru those trials... Bob Austin