i've never chartered in warmer waters (puget sound sailer), but i'll just toss out comments/observations that i believe relate to your situation: if 15deg heal 'freaks' your wife i encourage you to look for a boat that is known for stiffness and performs well at low levels of heal. i've not been on a Beneteau (only on land at a boat show, never in the water), but i know one will sail better than my families old cheoy lee 32' (a boat that got cranky if the heal was above 15deg because of her large beams (a '79 'fatty', not the narrower 50s and 60s models). the family boat would balance herself if the on a reach or to the wind if the sails were correct for the wind (like 'spray'). over drive the boat and she slowed down, pounded the sea, and got a case of nasty weather helm. a boat underpowered in any sea is going to roll and pitch much more than 15deg. i've taken many a 'stinkpotter' that commented the sailboat was 'smoother' and more sea friendly than any motorboat (as they tend to rock and roll like a cork in any sea). now a montgomery likes to be over a bit (i'd say +/- a few deg. off 20deg). easy to get leaning, but stays put once over into the 'sweet spot.' (i'm sure my comment about a M's best angle of heal for performance with start another long discussion.) well, here are my thoughts, don't know if they are of any assistance. good luck. dave scobie M15 #288 (not yet named) brian gilbert <hammerguy@bellsouth.net> wrote: Hi folks: Here's the situation... I've finally gotten my wife to agree to a bareboat charter in the spring of next year, after our 12-year-old gets off for summer vacation. In general, she doesn't much care for sailboats. She'll indulge me for a quick afternoon on the Monty, IF the wind is blowing (but not too much... she gets very nervous past 15 degrees of heel) and we don't stay out too long. But I was a liveaboard sailor, and if I could talk her into it, I'd buy another large boat for some extended cruising. Karen's never overnighted aboard... my M17 is WAY too small for her. A charter, if everything goes right, is my big chance to get her hooked on the better parts of the sailing lifestyle. I was thinking of the Moorings in the BVI on about a 32 foot Beneteau or similar. I hear that's like deer hunting using a baited field... the Virgins are so pretty and the sailing is short and easy, or so I've heard. I've never chartered a boat before, though, so I need recommendations and advice from any of you who have. Any problems to avoid, things you wish you'd brought, or unexpected surprises? If everything goes just right, I know she'll fall in love with sailing a larger boat. If everything goes just WRONG, as it sometimes can... well, I'll probably never get her on a boat again. Your thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks Brian Gilbert --------------------------------- We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list.