Mike has arrived in Astoria OR where Alanui is currently moored. He is taking a day to do some business in Portland and will then continue to deliver Alanui to Lockhaven Marina in Seattle. I won't put words in Mikes mouth, but I will share some of what he said as we made our trip north from Dana Point. It's not "if" a 40' Nordhavn can make it around Point Conception in 25 knot winds, it's why put yourself through it? Getting around the point is only step in the process. Rounding the point is followed by a beat into the wind for perhaps 600 miles. His planning on waiting for a weather window was based on finding the best collection of conditions to allow him to round this and several other points and capes along the CA coast hoping to complete the delivery with as few stops as possible. He made it all the way to Astoria before having to put into port to avoid weather. The fact these conditions came along is not related to the boat length of 40', I believe he would have waited for these conditions for a 43, 46, 47, 55... At some point there is a boat length that would make the conditions moot. However to state that this is the point where you would need to draw a line in the sand and say it is appropriate for west coast conditions is just not sound. I went ahead with the Nordhavn 40 because I do believe it's one of the smallest ocean capable boats you can buy. I subscribe to the "buy the least boat you need to do the job theory". My Camano 31 was a great entry trawler which many people own and operate for a decade. I just wanted to extend my capabilities. Could I take a 31 Camano to Alaska? Of course and many have. Is the N40 a more comfortable platform for that same trip, yes. So applying that same logic, could you own a west coast boat smaller than 40', sure, would it be comfortable and capable in as many conditions, no. In summary, I believe a good starting point for an ocean capable boat, for either coast, is 40'. Does that mean a smaller Duck or Willard isn't capable, no. Clear as mud! Thanks, scott > > PS I strongly suspect Mike Maurice is on delivery or we would have > heard from him by now. > _______________________________________________ > Passagemaking-Under-Power Mailing List

scottebulger@comcast.net wrote: > Mike has arrived in Astoria OR where Alanui is currently moored. He is taking a day to do some business in Portland and will then continue to deliver Alanui to Lockhaven Marina in Seattle. > > I won't put words in Mikes mouth, but I will share some of what he said as we made our trip north from Dana Point. It's not "if" a 40' Nordhavn can make it around Point Conception in 25 knot winds, it's why put yourself through it? Getting around the point is only step in the process. Rounding the point is followed by a beat into the wind for perhaps 600 miles. His planning on waiting for a weather window was based on finding the best collection of conditions to allow him to round this and several other points and capes along the CA coast hoping to complete the delivery with as few stops as possible. He made it all the way to Astoria before having to put into port to avoid weather. The fact these conditions came along is not related to the boat length of 40', I believe he would have waited for these conditions for a 43, 46, 47, 55... At some point there is a boat length that would make the conditions moot. However to state that this is the point where you would nee d t > o draw > a line in the sand and say it is appropriate for west coast conditions is just not sound. > > I went ahead with the Nordhavn 40 because I do believe it's one of the smallest ocean capable boats you can buy. I subscribe to the "buy the least boat you need to do the job theory". My Camano 31 was a great entry trawler which many people own and operate for a decade. I just wanted to extend my capabilities. Could I take a 31 Camano to Alaska? Of course and many have. Is the N40 a more comfortable platform for that same trip, yes. So applying that same logic, could you own a west coast boat smaller than 40', sure, would it be comfortable and capable in as many conditions, no. > > In summary, I believe a good starting point for an ocean capable boat, for either coast, is 40'. Does that mean a smaller Duck or Willard isn't capable, no. Clear as mud! Thanks, scott > > >> PS I strongly suspect Mike Maurice is on delivery or we would have >> heard from him by now. Scott has made an excellent summary of my thinking. And I don't have time to clarify it more, right now. Mike _____________________________________ Capt. Mike Maurice Beaverton Oregon(Near Portland)