StuntMan, thanks for the input. The double duty for floor boards is a good thought, though I am likely to attempt at "floating" another fixed floor. I will put in closed-cell foam for added flotation underneath since the old floor supports were rotted and had to be removed anyway. I will probly carry separate sleeping boards since I am orignally from Louisiana and no stranger to bugs and critters - that doesn't mean I should be immune to them, to the contrary, I despise them and would rather sleep offshore, even if uncomfortable, than deal with them! I would like to see how the floor boards as a sleep platform would work (mine is a 1973 model Lippincott hull number 12340 with no wood but the coamings and some mahogany planks screwed into glassed-in wood strips on the floor of the boat with an open section for the self-bailers, so there may be a lot of FG in the way.
I will not likely carry spinnaker as I used to be on the foredeck of larger boats during races and, frankly, I see that as both a luxury and too specialized a piece of equipment that's more fitting for round-the-buoys races and extended cruising, or easy weather cruising, and given the trouble I've seen them cause ... it ain't likley gonna happen for me - especially if single-handed. I'd have to become really comfortable with the boat and sailing conditions to even attempt it. Twin headsails may be the closest I get to heavy canvas on the foredeck.
Your comment about no mast-stepping involved is curious since I've seen many videos where the masts were taken down on Class 4 boats.
Pics would be great but I don't know how to get them through this site.
DKHT, I am greatly anticipating your comments!
For your questions, I am old enough to have retired early but by no means a couch potato. I am a self-taught sailor having learned over 25 years ago by reading, trying, reading, trying some more then racing as a means to improving my boat-handling. I learned on a plastic-covered foam board called a Snark, then got a Coronado 15 and raced it and beat some experienced guys (okay, maybe they were just not as good as they thought they were) then got my Lightning (and still have it) then got (and still have) a Ranger 23. (A few other boats are not on the list cause I'm starting to think my wife is right about me having too many!)
Skill level might all be in the mind of the sailor. I took my Coronado nine miles out in open water in very cold February day in 25+ knot winds (someone on shore said it was 35+ kts but he lacked credibility in my mind) and 3 to 4 foot seas, suffered at least 3 swampings from over the shoulder waves, broken tiller, got cracks in my rudder casting and kept the boat upright... but I think that speaks more towards foolishness and luck rather than skill?? So for skill, I'd say I can sail pretty well and learn quickly. (The bigger the mistake the quicker I learn! Other smaller mistakes I have to repeat numerous times before learning.)
I'm not an edurance rower/paddler but learned when I was about 10ish in small, exceptionally narrow, boats on the Lousiana bayous at the grandparent's place on Barataria Bay in Lafitte, LA. However, you can learn to develop some speed when needed if there are too many sets of red, glowing eyes on the water at night, though.
My priority is to finish and enjoy the experience and end up with a better boat... BUT, I couldn't guarantee some highly competitive streak wouldn't come out if I started feeling too complacent, either. This would not be too likely in this event, since I just can't see that much adrenaline dumping in my system for several days straight!
JVG