Larry, the Admiral made it pretty clear this past weekend that a powerboat is not an option that she is currently considering. She has never been a fan of the noise, although one offer on the IP was a trade for a Cape Dory trawler which was interesting. Given the current situation, we are looking for something that is basically set up to completely single hand. She will be a boat rider on, not an active participant other than casting off dock lines. As far as downsizing, yes, that is what the plan is, at least for now. There are actually several issues with the IP that were the reason to put her on the market, size was not one of them though.

First and foremost is the boat handling required by the keel design. That makes this a two person boat. It is obvious this design is intended to go straight, comfortably, for long distances. Perfect for those "Offshore-extended cruising" grounds Dave was talking about. Daysailing in the bay, messing around just offshore not so much. To tack this boat it requires a person at the helm steering and a person operating the sheets and primary winches. To tack, we get the upwind sheet around the winch drum, the lee sheet is already tight and on the self-tailer. The driver watches wind direction, other traffic and gives guidance to the winch operator. To initiate the tack the driver begins a gentle turn, (putting the helm hard over will stall the keel and put the boat into irons) as the boat begins the turn the winch operator maintains tension on the leeward sheet and prepares to winch in what is still the windward sheet. The headsail back winds forcing the bow over past dead into the wind and tacks the boat, the driver is watching wind direction and adjusting rudder angle through the maneuver until the boat is almost headed in the desired direction. The driver then tells the person handling the sheets to release the former leeward sheet and trim in the sail. Keep in mind that the primary winches are well forward of the helm and the driver is also straddling the steering shaft. It is impossible to do all of these things yourself.

Another issue is the mainsail. It is what drives this boat, where as the old Islander had a monster genoa. Getting the sail up is no problem for me, a huge problem for the Admiral. Gathering in the main is also a huge issue for her. Could she drive while I did all of these things? Sort of. After all of these years she has never developed a feel for wind direction or boat direction. It would not be unusual for us to go in a circle with her driving the boat, which is ok with a powerboat but plays total havoc for sail trimming. I don't understand how she can do that, she doesn't seem to understand that when the sails start flogging something is going on.

As far as docking? No problem with our new/old slip. We bid back into our old comfortable slip a few weeks ago. It is a straight-in shot from the basin, a spring line hangs from a line holder on the piling, that slips over the midships cleat, come in slow, line on the cleat, tap reverse and the boat prop walks to port and settles against the dock boards I installed on the finger pier. If the wind is blowing, you shift into forward at idle, steer away from the dock and that spring holds the boat tight against the dock.

The current boat at the top of the list is a 2008 Hunter 27 Deluxe model with the fin keel. In mast mainsail furling, roller furling headsail, less than 100 hours on the meter. Bimini, folding Lewmar wheel, sheeting package which moves the primary winches and mainsheet to the helm. While the 5' draft could be a future concern, we are in a high water year and the club has just completed a dradging project in the basin that should take care of the majority of the bottom hazards.

Dave, I understand what you are saying but we will never be out of sight of land. I would like to say we would but I would be bullshitting myself and everyone here. We are looking at daysailing and a few possible summer trips along the coast where we will be going from club to marina to club.