Why 35-feet and not longer?

The design goal was to build the smallest sailboat that would safely carry a two person crew in comfort, but with space for a respectable number of boat systems.

We previously owned a 42-foot sailboat, a common size for passage making, and discovered a few drawbacks.  My bride was not tall enough to reach the headboard of the stowed main sail – she could not attach the halyard without shinnying up the mast.  Even in calm water, the weight of a 42-foot boat’s full main was more than she could raise.  Likewise, the force required to sheet in the genoa was almost too much.

The 35-foot Millie J does not have these issues.  Because the sail area is smaller, the weights and forces required are substantially reduced.  This becomes even more critical as the crew ages and both members benefit from reduced exertion.

Besides the initial cost of equipping a sailboat, there is the ongoing cost of maintenance which includes occasional replacement of worn out parts.  In almost all cases, the 42-foot boat requires the next size larger piece of hardware.  A few examples follow:

In every case, the price for the next size up nearly doubles.  The goal was not just to have a boat we could afford to purchase, but also one that was affordable to maintain.  This is what makes long term cruising financially possible.

After living aboard Millie J for four years, we still find there is plenty of space for storage and for plenty of systems.  When we entertain, we often accommodate more guests than larger boats – it is a matter of using space wisely, not just adding boat length.  And, as we have had to perform maintenance, we have been especially glad for the reduced cost of parts replacement.  35 feet is an ideal length.