Today, the average cruising boat is probably in the 40- to 45-foot range. To my mind, that is too big for a couple to handle in all conditions. True, electric winches and furling mainsails can reduce physical effort—until something goes wrong. The forces at play on a big boat are huge, and beyond what a normal human can handle without mechanical aids. Smaller boats have smaller masts, sails, and anchors. Since they have fewer hull openings, they are easier to keep watertight. Finally, because they are simpler, they are easier to maintain in faraway ports.
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