"New" Boat

gassing is not a real issue, at least not one to worry about. while resins cure fairly quickly allowing a hull to be pulled out of the mold and the boat to be finished, curing will continue for a while releasing gases. These chemicals are indeed to exactly healthy but the levels are too low to worry about. After a few weeks or month, it's all done anyway. This is why sometimes CO detector can go off on brand new boats that remain all closed up for a while.

a non issue on older boats.

Like many i got a good laugh when i read teh comment about how Ferro cement being the most durable low maintenance material out there! that's a good one. 99% of the time you cant' even insure a ferro cement and some yards and marina wont' even allow them in!

wood is great and it may be an option up north where you have the entire winter to haul out the boat and work on her. down in warmer waters, toredo worms are a concern...these things are like the termites of the marine worlds, if not worst.

there are some folks who do live aboard in winter up in canada. bubblers, good heaters are critical obviously, but the biggest issues are dealing with water and waste hoses outside the boat. it takes some planning... oh and having to walk down an icy snow covered dock. yikes!

as to lower helms, yes on most boats under 50' they take precious living spaces although as Capt J said, they are great on long runs. Try going thru some areas in summer when the sun is beating down a flybridge and monster horse flies are relentlessly attacking you! another great benefit when you have side doors near the helm is that it makes it real easy to single hand the boat since you are just a few steps away from your spring lines.

Newman,

Did you go liveaboard this summer?