Astro

Oh... look at the CD25's bit roomier than the folk boat but good seaboats also.. seen some going cheap on the net..

Good idea... get the skills mastered in safe water that'll serve you out in the open sea when you get 'The Boat' you need...
Enjoy...

Hi Astro...
I'd hesitate to take a 22ft drop keel far ofshore.. especially with a pop top..
My current boat is a 3/4 keel 21 that is very stable but handles like a dinghy... and thats the difference between a 27 and what your looking at.. more weight, more storeage etc... In the past I carried 5litre jugs of water and restricted myself to 1/2 jug a day... with food and water I've stayed at sea for 3 weeks a time before needing to top up... maybe you eat and drink more... but should be possible upto 2 weeks a time... unless you go hardcore... oh.. if you do go for the poptop.. rig up a real secure latch down system... and water tight from waves sweeping over...
Rain no problem.. but you'd be amased where a wave can get in...
Good Luck.. hope this was some use...