I have not seen anyone mention a couple of things about Steve Dashew. It is true that he has a lifetime of voyaging, but he makes his living selling his designs, boats and books. Like everyone who sells their designs and builds semi-production boats he has to sell, and we need to remember he is selling when reviewing his information. It does not mean it is wrong, but since there is an element of self interest in his offerings it should be examined with that in mind. His expertise is valuable. I believe I have bought and read all of his books. It should be mentioned that his books are among the most costly (good information too!) on boating! He shares very little, he does mostly knowledge selling! There is nothing wrong by selling knowledge, that's what I do. (Computer consultant). What I do not do is sell my knowledge and sell hardware. I make NO money selling what I recommend, I could not do that and be "objective". (Actually I do not have the selling skills to overcome my customers objections about being a bias consultant if I was to do both!) Actually if you go to http://www.setsail.com/dashew/dashoff.html His site reminds me a lot of Nordhavn's. I certainly remember when he though sailboats were the only way to go! It is interesting now the market is turning more to power boats, so is he. Also since his design, building and selling experience is in sail boats, he looks like he has just built a motor sailor without sails. There is northing wrong with this, Nordhavn used to make only sailboats and they switched to power boats (and a new motor sailor) . One has to wonder if he is limiting the amount of change because that is what he is comfortable with designing, building and selling. Who knows maybe this next design will become even more powerboat like! Compare the Nordhavn 46 to the Nordhavn 47. After 10 years of building the 46, their designs have evolved. One wonders how much of this design is based on how to differentiate your boat offering from everyone else's. I can remember his comments about power boats a few years ago. He was not very high on them. I wonder if any of the reason he has a un-powerboat is a function of wanting to not look like he has become a power boat promoter. The benefit of his design is that it is different, we learn more from what is different... hence there should be more to learn from this type of boat. Some will be good, some not. Scott Strickland Nordhavn 47