Congratulations Caroline! I admire your for not letting being a single female woman stop you from following your dreams! No, I am NOT a feminist but I did the same thing about 15 years ago when a boyfriend left me after I had bought my first trawler ‘for us’. He had actually taught me to sail way back in 1954. Another boating friend came to my rescue and encouraged me to keep the boat, my then Nordhavn, First Forty. Many of you’ve heard that story which won me acclaim at a Solomon’s Trawler Fest and began a whole new life for me. Yes, I had to hire captains (though at least by then I’d been sailing for many years) and I learned how much I loved trawlers even though First Forty was NOT the boat for me. Looking constantly for THE boat that would be perfect for me and my dog I settled on a Linssen 41 which I named Cinderella after I dreamed about having bought her the day I spent hours on board one at Solomon’s T Fest. I never regretted that decision for one second! However, I never intended to single hand the boat but always with at least one person on board with me who was knowledgeable. After ordering the boat being made to my own specs I met Gordon who became my partner. Problem solved! As we both aged, he had double knee surgery and that was wonderful…for awhile til I finally had to sell my beautiful boat. Several reasons for my choice;: beauty, I’m an artist and things must be well designed and beautiful to me. Cinderella has a typical Dutch low aspect for windage, good looks and convenience. There were few steps, only 2 on deck, the rest were below with good hand rails for my little dog. She had a fabulous steel hull, teak deck in the rear (should have gone 100% with teak deck). Top deck was still LOW and covered so usable all the time I owned her. Never once used the wheel below! She was EXPENSIVE! To shorten this, email me off line for more info…her only drawback was access to the engine room after being used to the great ER access in the Nordhavn. While the Loop has many locks, most are easy to negotiate, especially the 121 on the Tenn-Tom Inland rivers. But there were always 2 of us. I DEFINITELY encourage you to have at least a BOW THRUSTER if not a stern one also. Some consider that sissy but that is silly. Hugely helpful even not single handling. You haven’t said what kind of dogs you have? Large ones can be a real bitch getting on/off a boat for those potty trips. Good luck trying to train an old dog to use peepads, grass or anything else on board! My one vital bit of advice…get both knees done asap! It isn’t safe waiting until you can’t move as fast as necessary on board in a near crisis! See me about that! I have a LOT more thoughts and ideas for you! Margery Griffith Sent from Windows Mail