I'll chime in on the stoves. Nothing is safer than alcohol. Nothing is colder burning than alcohol. Nothing is as easy (water) to extinguish as alcohol in emergency situations. Concerning gimballs, I wouldn't cruise without them. The Pardys and a VERY few others don't like them. After living aboard for 10+ years and cruising 2 (yes, with my M10 dink there too)...there is no way I wouldn't have them. You do want locks to keep the stove steady when not in use but when the rail (sailboat in heavy weather) is down you can cook...otherwise there would be no way to keep water in the pot or the pot on the stove. Well, you CAN use a pressure cooker with the lid on and pressure valve off if you want cook in a seaway without gimballs but it is still a hassle to stir. For a safe non alcohol stove...kerosene is the next choice. It burns hot and the flash point from fumes isn't close to gas or propane. The smell is a problem but you do get used to it. For small boats and weekends the non pressurized alcohol sounds best to me. I do have to admit that I carry both an Optimus "Hunter" and "Hiker" white gas stoves as backups. Bill P.