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I’ve been doing a lot of research into what the vessel I purchase should have. For at least my first year living aboard, I will be coastal in order to gain experience and get comfortable with my boat. However, I definitely want long-distance passages to be an option.

Here are some of the requirements I have come up with:

• Tiller
• Diesel Engine
• Full keel
• Straight keel  – not angled
• Keel-mounted rudder
• No fractional rigs / running backstays
• No single-strand rod rigging – multi-strand wire only

I’ll be adding to this as my research continues. At some point, some requirements may have priority over others. However, this initial list is pretty much all must-haves.