Hi Mike, Are you designing your own passagemaker based on books? There's much questionable information being bandied about by folks who don't seem to have the credentials to do so. Whether designing a new vessel or modifying an already-proven design, I'd hire a NA, not some guy who writes books. If someone posts, "I wanted this and here's what my architect came up with," that's good info. Apologies in advance to any NAs on the list who have not uncloaked. By the way, be sure your architect really is a degreed and licensed architect, and not just a "designer." John "Seahorse" Mike Schooley writes: In his article, "Boat Handling vs. Boat Design or Power Boats For Ultimate Conditions", Michael Kasten writes; "Stern design will have a big effect on safety with regard to taking on water astern (being pooped), therefore on safety.  A modest counter stern with aft-raking transom is ideal for reserve buoyancy.  Conversely a "sugar scoop" stern having a swim platform with an opening to the cockpit is usually the worst combination, even though it can be successful on racing sail boats where the tactic is often to outrun the seas or to more or less stay with them." I wondering if others agree or disagree with Michael and is so, what would you recommend as an alternative for boarding and dinghy access? Regards; Mike Schooley Designing "Portager" a transportable passagemaker Reply to: John@Camm.us

At 04:12 PM 1/13/05 -0500, you wrote: >In his article, "Boat Handling vs. Boat Design or Power Boats For Ultimate >Conditions", Michael Kasten writes; > >"Stern design will have a big effect on safety with regard to taking on I would say that what Mike Kasten wrote that was quoted is very astute and accurate. By the way there is a lot of excellent material on his web site. Capt. Mike Maurice Tualatin(Portland), Oregon