Peter, I will respond to your post openly on the list. I have known Scott for quite some time, and he and I have discussed his choice of a boat and its outfitting on many occasions. He knows that I probably would choose a Nordhavn 62, a Nordhavn 46, a Sutton, etc if I was going to do ocean passages under power. I don't know how much actual experience you have on boats, but you mention 6 days at sea. I have well over 200,000 miles at sea over a peroid of 65 years, which includes crossing most of the worlds major oceans. I honestly feel that Nordhavn has done a fantastic job in the business model and advertising. Part of this is convincing people that they have to have the latest boat, a bigger boat etc--and this is where the hype comes from. In fact there are limited power boats which will cross oceans. The reality is that many people that buy Nordhavn's don't cross oceans--they do coastal cruising, but they want a Nordhavn because they precieve that are the best. There are many boats (far more than I listed) which will do coastal cruising well--maybe better than a Nordhavn. I did not comment on the construction in that post--but in the past I have commented that the Nordhavn's age better than many competative boats that I have observed when I was giving lectures at Trawler Fests. I am aware of construction flaws in Nordhavns--I get a lot of communication from boat owners and I read a lot. There are probably less problems in Nordhavn's than most boats--and the Leishmans have been very good to fix problems--but no boat is perfect. As for my being a moderator on this list--that has been discussed at times--and the reason I am not moderating is that I spend a part of the year traveling where I don't have internet connections. I have moderated several other lists at times. Scott is focused on Nordhavn's because he selected one to do his cruise in. I am not critical of Scott, but I am critical of people who think that the boat they own is "the only" boat which is capable and that other boats are inferior. As for there being a clic of Nordhavn owners--yes, I have observed this at Trawler Fests. I have seen an attitude that "Nordhavns are better". There was clicish behavior on the North Atlantic Rally. I personally go cruising to meet new people and learn about the way that they live. I don't avoid other American (or Australian etc) cruisers, but I prefer to anchor in remote areas or at a town quay were there is no other cruiser. Just recently I was asked about crowded cruising areas--sure because cruisers are mostly like sheep--they go where other cruisers are. There are still lots of places where it is still like it was 50 years ago--you just have to seek these places out and have the courage to go there. I have met other cruisers who would not anchor where there were no other boats--they were afraid. As for costs--I could easily afford an Nordhavn--but I would only buy one if I thought it was the best boat for my plans. On the other hand, there are plenty of less expensive boats which often will do the job. I see a boat as being for a specific purpose. I would buy a long distance cruising boat, cruise, and then pull back and own a smaller boat until I need that capability again. I am probably much more aware of the issues of the Queen's Day Storm, The Sidney to Hobart and Fastnet races than you are. I had friends in all of those events and have personally talked with them about their experiences. (Several of these are ones interviewed in the book on the Sidney to Hobart Race). I spent over 30 years practicing medicine on the side as I sailed...I kept in touch with several hundred world cruisers who I made the first aid kits for. I have also sailed in conditions which were equal to or worse than those in each of these events--with minimal damage to my vessel. So I know exactly what will happen from first hand experience. I took a 90 degree roll during one storm in the North Atlantic in 45 foot breaking seas. I wonder how a Nordhavn would survive a 90 degree roll? Now as for your crack about mothers in law--I am not cruising currently because my wife and I believe that it is the responsibility to care for our elderly parent. My mother in law is 91 years old, has cancer and is why we are not at sea today. As for "bitterness"--No Peter, I learned the hard way about boating--by doing. No one handed me a Nordhavn, complete with $50,000 of electronics. I have built boats, restored boats and worked very hard to obtain the knowlege I have of boats. I have had a very fortunate life, in being able to take long peroids to cruise when I was young enough to enjoy the life. I wish you enjoy cruising as much as I have. Bob Austin MD