We want to sail from Seattle to New Zealand making periodic stops along the way for a day or so island hopping all the way down. We understand we may be stuck in New Zealand for several months before the weather is right to sail back.

We are in a 30 foot Columbia Defender right now but are considering buying a bigger boat (maybe 35 to 40 footer) but this little Defender is a tough, scrappy boat and set up nicely for two which is all we are.