What are the new "Blue Water Boats"? Yeah, Hunters brag that you can circumnavigate in them, Beneteau's and their cousins brag you can circumnavigate in them too and indeed one can, with skill and luck. Bluewater always requires a bit o' luck.

However, what in my mind is missing is load carrying capacity. Fuel tanks have gotten smaller for more elbow room. The majority of boats we see out cruising carry fuel and water jugs on deck! Water tanks too and with people thinking that water makers will carry the extra load; well, maybe they will, just carry a spare.

That said it's spares one needs to keep a boat going. And for spares and tools you need room. I honestly don't know how people can cruise without the various skills and tools needed to keep a boat going.

IMHO there's not really any currently sold Bluewater boat I would consider today. Some of the boats are beautiful, but they're designed for someone with a lot more money then I to own. Have a problem, hire someone; that's the cruising motto of the new generation. But where? I guess that may be part of the attraction of sailing on events like the ARC or 1500. I'm guessing all the tradesmen are already lined up for the boats that come limping in.

Go Slow
Sail Far
Stay Long

and since it's photo day I've included a pic of our trip on the Mississippi on a trip back to the instant everything country, the US of A.