Opinions please -

[JLD]

Earlier, someone here suggested a motorsailer, and I dismissed it as being "even more" maintenance for me. But after reading Capt John's site, and "thinking smaller" I started looking at motorsailers again and I found a good layout. The Cape Dory 300 looks small inside, but it's enough I think. And if you "tent off" the cockpit, and put patio furniture in it, it gives the configurable space I was wanting in a trawler... (Note: the CD cockpit is full width, no seats molded in.) So I was toying with demasting it in Florida, storing it, and doing the loop as a powerboat. Then when I've crossed my wake, I'd step the mast and (perhaps) try the Bahamas run. (I don't want a bluewater boat.)
The only problem is these CD 300 seem quite pricey to me even though they're old. But I have time to shop...

You could do a bluewater boat, for only a few dollars more! Check out the Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 (LOA of 27'3"). Has 6'1" of headroom AND could easily cruise to the Bahamas!

Jim