How much stuff can you fit on a SAGA 43?

It's Monday morning and we are sitting aboard Pandora in a wonderful little cove about 15 miles north of Portland Maine, the Goslings.  The fog is thick following a rainy night and it's as peaceful as you can imagine without  a ripple on the water.  We headed out from Portland Yacht Club yesterday afternoon after jamming all of our stuff aboard from the car that Brenda brought along from New Jersey.  We wanted to head someplace close by as we are heading back today to the club to view the fireworks aboard Frank and Gail's SAGA Alcid.  You know, the one that they sailed to the Med?  Thought so.

So back to the question posed by the title of this post.  Some time back two boat shoppers considering a SAGA 43 visited me and Brenda aboard Pandora to take a look at her as they were considering what sort of boat that they wanted to purchase.  The questions were varied but as they planned to live aboard for several years while they got their cruising kitty in order, one of the big areas of discussion was "how much storage does she have?".  The answer is complex as perhaps the better question is "how much stuff to you have to have with you?".   They were trying to decide between a SAGA and an Island Packet, two different vessels entirely.  I have spouted on and on about what a great boat Pandora is but it's sufficient to say that she will certainly out perform most other boats her size and certainly will outrun an Island Packet, a design known for ruggedness but not speed.   However, the Island Packet will certainly out perform a SAGA in the "store your stuff" department as they are a much wider and voluminous design.

So, how much *%$# can you put aboard Pandora?  I am glad that you asked as I have been wondering too.  Well, we certainly are putting her to test as we move aboard for two months in Maine.   It seems to me that, as this photo illustrates, you can put a good deal of &%^$ on a SAGA 43.

And that's just what Brenda brought along to meet up with me here in Portland.   There is literally several tons of stuff aboard and we never seem to take anything off.   It's always a one way trip, it would seem. 

Alas, there is order in life, at least aboard Pandora.

Did I mention that I raised Pandora's waterline a full 2 inches over the winter?  Thought so.   So, will she still perform under sail?  I guess the answer to that an other cosmic questions will have to wait until another post.