I best first frame the outline of my interpretation on how this boat differs from Exhilarator, as it doesn't fold, it doesn't poptop, it wont ever be on a trailer more than once, it is quintessentially the non existent C40.

I reminded myself of why I first got interested in Denney's designs, I was in the market for a 30ft cat, yet they all seemed to come out somehow less than what I required. 30ft cats are not what one would ordinarily term as cruisers in the trans ocean sense, you can live aboard them but they still suffer useful living space, and they aren't really safe in any sea. Add to that the market for new boats has shifted away from this size category and almost anything you can look at is going to be 30 possibly 40 years old.

So Exhilarator pops up on my horizon, and I instantly figure out everything that is wrong with it for me. In my view Rob designed this boat as a weekender with enough friendly features to make her cheaper to keep yet fast and fun to sail.

Well I got to thinking just sailing my be fun anyway as long as it isnt limited to 6 knots all the time, but I needed more generous accommodations which left me pondering how to lose some boat weight to afford that. So the folding beams went, any notion of C50 like double cabins went with them, the WW hull was to be sequested to a composting head and shower with good storage possibilities and water tankage.

I happened to glean a look at a video of a small NY apartment that had within it a multitude of ideas for living in small spaces. Among the things that came to view a lounge with a pulldown queen size bed that comes out of the wallspace. So having released some weight I was now thinking a standing headroom saloon (at least in the middle) with a convertible living space.

Originally the saloon would have 2 lounges facing each other towards the weather side with a pullup table between. The bed would come up and fold out from the middle of the WW hull and straddle the lounges if you took the backrest cushions off the most WW couch. Room enough for me anywhere I go, and space for the indians when the guests arrive to steal all the vino and marvel at Boss the wonder dog.

With the absence of the cabins in the WW hull, I felt able to increase the lengthwise space of the saloon, I might get 5 to 6m out of that with rounded ends or corners. Glazing is smaller in height and vertical because it needs to be stronger (being closer to the bows) and more shaded to keep out direct tropical sun. The cabinet lined perimeter would have to encompass a nav station and a galley.

I dont think I could do better than Robs sliding access door up into to the cockpit, but might use some panniers in the are between the crossbeams and the cabin glazing where the cabins were situated. The knuckle they provided takes away the boxiness and adds to useful stow which would however always be in the weather.

I was looking for about 3m of saloon beam, but feel this may be too much. Im just not sure how it would look. but figured the bed could fold out sideways instead with some rearrangement of the couches which clips 0.5m off to 2.5m. Mosquito net on ceiling track around the bed sorta satisfies the privacy aspect, its cheap and simple to organise.

The 40ft LW hull and its narrow 800mm beam is virtually empty but for sail stow, gen set, fuel, tackle and the like. Solid deck between and a rib inflatable lashed to it for a tender.

So there it is, my floating hotel room. It is a lot heavier than Exhilarator but it isnt meant to do the same things. I think its about as small as I would be prepared to go, yet comfortable enough and way in excess of whatever a 30yr old 30ft cat would bring.