Hoo boy, ask that question loudly the next time you're at your favorite boater hangout, then sit back and watch the fun. As with most things about cruising, you'll get eleven opinions for every ten people you talk to. And as fun as it may be to watch, listen to, and read about the debate about cruising boats--sail versus power, monohull versus multihull, full keel versus fin keel, and so on--it can also be pretty overwhelming for someone who is trying to figure out the best solution for their cruising dream.

I have ranted elsewhere about cruising evangelists--those of us who order you to "Do it now!" so much that you may end up feeling like a wuss if you don't liquidate everything immediately and set sail, regardless of your particular situation. Well, a similar force operates when it comes to any of us who talk about cruising boats. No matter how neutral we try to be as journalists, our own biases can't help but show through to the attentive reader.

Take me, for instance: I am monohull sailor who prefers fairly heavy, traditional double-enders made of fiberglass. Buy me a beer, and I will give you all the reasons why my preference has merit. Actually, I'll give you the reasons even without the beer!

Move to the next table, and you'll meet another experienced cruiser--this one a catamaran cruiser who has been cruising the Caribbean for years. By the time you leave, you will be convinced that multihulls are absolutely the way to go. Until you talk to the trawler owner over by the jukebox.

We each want to defend our investment--and not only in terms of time and money. We have put emotional coin into our boats as well. Even cruisers who don't subscribe to the "live simple" approach and cruise at a level of comfort comparable to shore side dwellings have had to commit themselves to an "off the beaten track" existence. And many of us have done it in spite of the tuttings and headshakings of friends and family. Therefore, we will not only be very pro-cruising, we will likely defend the type and make of boat we've selected as the best choice for a neophyte who wants to cruise in the same mold as us.

Now, depending on our personalities, we will be more or less pushy when talking to you about our boat. I have seen some people get downright belligerent in conversations when they thought their boat choice was being questioned or was just being grouped with other candidates. On the other hand, I've talked to others (but not many!) who are reluctant to give anything even remotely resembling a testimonial for their choice of craft. For the most part, I think those of us in the cruising village know that our choice is one among many, and we are happy to talk about why we chose the way did and how it's worked out--and we won't get insulted if you go a different direction in your purchasing decision.

Whatever reactions you encounter when you enter into the boat-choosing conversation with us--and I certainly hope you will have that conversation--it's OK. You won't get "the answer," but you will definitely come away with lots of things to think about as a result of your conversations with us, and though it may seem overwhelming at times, the nuggets you gather from members of the cruising village will serve you well in making a good decision for your particular situation.

Just keep in mind that we are an opinionated bunch, we cruisers, and are likely to stand firmly behind whatever boat we ourselves own as the best kind of vessel for cruising. And no matter how reasonable and scientific and anecdotal our proof is to sell you on the type of boat we've chosen, you will find equally compelling information from someone with a completely different type of boat.

So what is the right kind of boat for cruising? Well, like everything else connected to this particular lifestyle, the answer is: It depends.