Back in the early 80s when I was dreaming of building a cruising yacht and shoving off, the Departure 35 by Charles Wittholtz was one of my favorite designs. I eventually selected a Pied Piper 28 by Liberty Yachts and built Rosebud from a hull and deck with some help from the builder. I sailed Rosebud for three years before getting sucked back into the working life. http://www.pbase.com/onceagain/rosebud

I recently came across someone who was building a Departure 35 about the same time as I was building Rosebud. Bruce McDonald built Horizon and, along with his wife, sailed her for the next 40 years. He put her up for sale in 2015 and posted this website (she could be sold now). http://departure35.weebly.com/

I was impressed with how much I could have wanted the same boat he built if I had gone that direction. He certainly seemed to have built a boat that Arthur Beiser would have called a proper yacht. I hope some young sailor can value and deserve such a great cruising sailboat.

I would love to know more about the builder and sailor, Bruce McDonald. I hope he answers my inquiry. Have any of you met him along your travels?