| Many people wonder how big a boat they must have | | | | then across the Pacific. The fact that a few people |
| to take a "cruise" on. In fact, I have met many who | | | | row across says something...either about luck or...well, I |
| have spent literally decades saving money for the "big" | | | | won't go there. |
| boat so they can take off. Most of these people are | | | | I have had numerous people tell me they have a 34 |
| shocked when they find out that my husband and I | | | | footer that they day sail, but wonder if they need |
| lived and traveled aboard a Cal 2-34 for six years. | | | | something bigger to spend several months on. Egads! I |
| "Wasn't that kind of small?" almost to a person they | | | | suppose it depends on how much stuff you want to |
| ask. | | | | lug around with you, how many kids you take, and |
| No. A 34' boat is not too small to take cruising, if the | | | | maybe how much personal space you need. 34' can |
| boat is sound. Lynn and Larry Pardey took their first | | | | be a sumptuous amount of space! |
| trips on a boat much smaller than 34' and were quite | | | | When my husband and I traveled, I will admit we were |
| happy! And safe! The same is true for Robin Graham | | | | one of the smaller boats in almost all the foreign ports |
| on Dove. I have seen 26 and 27 foot boats that were | | | | or anchorages we went to. We did not, however, |
| sturdy little cruisers. | | | | have to pick up people along the way to crew for us. |
| Size does not make a boat safe. Seamanship, based | | | | Either of us could single-hand the boat if the other |
| on experience, is the big factor in boating safety. I must | | | | were sick or injured. The boat was well-rigged, with |
| hasten to add, however, that the gear on the boat, | | | | the mast and rigging off the Cal 46. And we had done |
| including the rigging, rudder, and overall composition of | | | | our homework, doing lots of coastal cruising to learn |
| the boat, is vital to the boat's safety in passage | | | | the limits of our boat...and ourselves. The boat proved |
| making. I have seen incredibly unlikely vessels, | | | | to be much tougher and more resilient than we were! |
| however, make it across oceans. I once saw a lake | | | | So do not let size keep you from your adventures! Go |
| day sailor in Fatu Hiva that had sailed across the | | | | now while you still have the strength and stamina to do |
| Atlantic from France, through the Panama Canal, and | | | | so. |