Michael and List, I am an enthusiastic member of that "incredible group of advocates" for the PDQ 34, as I bought hull 12 (of the 115 built) in '02 and have had many wonderful adventures since. Let's just stipulate that I feel the PDQ is the very perfect boat for everyone and move on past the advocacy part to more general advice. First, forget about refitting a trashed boat. Given reasonable maintenance and use, modern diesel engines in privately operated pleasure boats should outlive their owners. The only way to destroy them in the ten years or so that power catamaran yachts have been on this planet is by catastrophic accident ( a good sinking would do it) or outright abuse, such as charter service without maintenance. Either of those sort of situations would simultaneously ruin all the other complex, sophisticated and interrelated systems and components of a modern yacht, including but certainly not limited to the hull you mentioned. Regarding the engine swap you suggested and the other system changes implied, the design and performance issues arising from major changes in weight distribution alone could keep a bunch of us technogeeks arguing for months. Of course all that you describe could be done, and with enough time, money and dedication an acceptable outcome would be likely. However, as you mentioned the phrase "price point" I presume you are not (yet) a lottery winner, and if the 4-5 year loop you plan is in the reasonably near future I cannot advise designing and building (and re-designing and rebuilding, and re-re-designing...) an entirely new powercat based on parts somebody else already broke. By all means buy a used powercat, but get a good survey and don't plan on going into the major repair swamp. Never forget Gary's Law of Projects: The first half of every project takes ninety percent of the resources (time, money, materials, emotional energy, etc.) available. The second half takes another ninety percent and the inevitable third half takes even more. Then double that if a boat is involved. Your comments and even your presence on this list indicate to me that you are already well along in the thinking about, dreaming about and talking about processes. Keep that up, here and elsewhere. I think you need to start getting some real feet on the deck experience now. Seek out reasonably nearby owners of the designs you like (heck, travel is broadening, go visit some not at all nearby owners). Find new boat dealers and check out used boats for sale. Don't be dishonest about your intentions, but wrangle as much on the water time as you can. Charter. Email me offline if you can handle any more of my views and/or could visit Portland Oregon. But don't dawdle. Don't let the early enthusiasm die down to the point that your dream drifts into the never-never-land of 'Someday-I-Will Dreams'. Also never forget that Perfect is the arch enemy of Success. All human activity involves trade-offs and compromises, both large and small. This goes for boats and cruises. There is no perfect boat. In reality you could have a perfectly wonderful time on any one of several boats. If you have narrowed your choices to a couple of carefully considered options, feel free to flip a coin, go and never look back. If you have the spirit of adventure needed for a long term boat cruiser and you have done your homework you can't loose that toss. Gary Bell Stray Cat, a PDQ 34 power catamaran and Liberty Belle, an 80' sidewheeler berthed in Multnomah Channel, near Portland Oregon Date: September 24, 2010 7:54:54 AM EDT To:"power-catamaran@lists.samurai.com" <power-catamaran@lists.samurai.com> Subject: FP37 Refit Hi All I really enjoy the banter and the words of wisdom from you all and I am already sold on the concept of a power cat. My wife and I are looking for a power cat for a 4-5 year excursion to do the loop, the Caribbean and maybe beyond. Based on our price point we seem to fall into the range of the PDQ 34 and Fountaine Pajot 37. PDQ has some great advantages and an incredible group of advocates however we are leaning to the FP37 based on personal taste. One of the more insane options we have been exploring is to buy one of the old Nautic blue 37's and completely refit it with new Yanmars and a generators, assuming the hulls are not trashed and we can get it for a reasonable price. But before I step of into the financial abyss, mental anguish and shear masochism of this kind of project, I thought I could get some perspective from the group on the FP37 since there seems to be no dedicated blog for the Maryland 37's. 1. Are there any basic hull design issues that I should be aware of on the FP37. 2. I was told the new Yanmars would be about 400 lbs lighter(Combined). Do you think that would have a significant impact on balance. 3. Are there any other words of wisdom on this kind of insane project from any of you have had experience with the FP37? Thanks for any guidance on this suicidal adventure.