I think the original question was answered back in post #14.
Another question has developed. Just WHY do we want to cross that ocean. It seems some boaters dream to do it one day, and others can think of nothing worse.
I'm in the first category, but for some reason I would prefer to do it in a something less able than a Watson. Besides the cost factor, I would think I'd enjoy it more crossing in something like a KK if properly prepared. It may not be as comfortable, but that is not what I yearn for. If I just wanted comfort, I'd stay at home.
I would want enough of a challenge to feel personally tested, without putting my safety (or my crew's safety) at an unacceptable level of risk.
I guess everyone has their own levels for the amount of challenge and risk they want to take on. I know some who feel flying across an ocean is beyond their challenge and risk limits.
We would prefer comfort but want to be fully prepared for all levels of discomfort from choice of boat, to preparation of boat, to medical kit and knowledge on board to crew. We also want to get the feel of boating, take the helm, experience the air and see all there is to see while crossing.
To us it's managed risk and it's managed to our own level of risk tolerance which won't be the same as anyone else's. That's how we set out our requirements. One example of a basic one with us that most don't have is that our first time crossing we want to have a Captain who has done it before. Probably an engineer who has as well. That wouldn't change if we were in a 40' or 300' boat. We want redundancy everywhere feasible and plans in order for any emergency, including abandoning the ship. I'm more comfortable doing things without excessive worry when I understand the worst case and the plans for it.
We also want to avoid exhaustion. We believe it leads to increased danger and mistakes and makes you less able to effectively handle issues when they arise. There must be adequate crew so everyone has a minimum of 10 hours rest per day, 77 hours per week and at least 6 hours (we prefer 8, but minimum of 6) of the daily rest is contiguous allowing one to get a decent's night (or day) of sleep. To us, two people minimum should always be "on duty"-up, alert, available, helping.
And anyone can say "no." Obviously it wouldn't happen without discussion, but if we were sitting in Bermuda watching for a good window to the Azores and one person after studying it with the rest of us felt we were pushing it in light of weather window and potential issues, that it didn't leave us enough room for error, then we wait.
As to flying across an ocean, I'm not one interested in piloting and I want a very large plane, large crew, and the best feeling of safety I can get.
Ironically I look forward to one day crossing the Atlantic. I dread the air trips back and forth over the couple of years time we have a boat there. But then I enjoyed boating in the PNW and Alaska and down the west coast and hated the flights back and forth for that. (Although I must say a long flight with my wife (plus sometimes friends too) never gets boring (She is a cure for boredom). Nothing like when I use to travel alone. But it does take a toll on your body being crammed into a sardine can with low oxygen and a lot of germy people. We're ready to cut loose and go play and have fun by the time we get there.
Ok, that led me to checking some numbers. I knew how many miles on the water we'd put in and how few on land, but I just calculated our air miles in the last 18 months. These were all just getting back and forth to a boat. 27,000. Now to me, air travel is only done as a necessity transportation to get you somewhere. I know for others it's pleasure.
