Bruce,
Looks to me like your draft definition of a passagemaker is very close to
the mark. A few nit-picks:
--It may be a bit more correct to replace "spouse" with "spouse or
partner", given that many passagemakers are operated by owners who are not
married and some by partners who have no romantic relationship at all.
--Is 2500 the right number? Why not 2000 or 2200? Do you want to address
speed? Some boats have 2500 NM range if they're operated at four knots,
but one has to ask whether a 4-kt SOA makes sense for a true passagemaker.
--As far as I am concerned, deck fuel is a no-no in a true
passagemaker! With that in mind, I'd recommend revising the next-to-last
sentence to read: "'Long distance capable' means on engine power alone
without refueling a vessel should have at least a XXXX nautical mile
cruising range using permanent, built-in tanks."
--Somewhere in your definition the concept of redundancy ought to be
addressed, probably under safety. Likewise the idea of having a
knowledgeable and experienced crew. Something like: "By the term 'safe' we
mean that the vessel is sufficiently well designed and constructed and has
enough redundancy in vital systems that it will not likely endanger the
lives of its occupants when prudently operated by a knowledgeable and
experienced crew."
As the former owner and operator of Bluewater Books & Charts, I'd say
there's a real need for a book like the one you propose.
Good luck,
--Milt Baker
Bruce,
Looks to me like your draft definition of a passagemaker is very close to
the mark. A few nit-picks:
--It may be a bit more correct to replace "spouse" with "spouse or
partner", given that many passagemakers are operated by owners who are not
married and some by partners who have no romantic relationship at all.
--Is 2500 the right number? Why not 2000 or 2200? Do you want to address
speed? Some boats have 2500 NM range if they're operated at four knots,
but one has to ask whether a 4-kt SOA makes sense for a true passagemaker.
--As far as I am concerned, deck fuel is a no-no in a true
passagemaker! With that in mind, I'd recommend revising the next-to-last
sentence to read: "'Long distance capable' means on engine power alone
without refueling a vessel should have at least a XXXX nautical mile
cruising range using permanent, built-in tanks."
--Somewhere in your definition the concept of redundancy ought to be
addressed, probably under safety. Likewise the idea of having a
knowledgeable and experienced crew. Something like: "By the term 'safe' we
mean that the vessel is sufficiently well designed and constructed and has
enough redundancy in vital systems that it will not likely endanger the
lives of its occupants when prudently operated by a knowledgeable and
experienced crew."
As the former owner and operator of Bluewater Books & Charts, I'd say
there's a real need for a book like the one you propose.
Good luck,
--Milt Baker
