This is in reply to the recent posting by Erin Strench asking how the 43 and the 430 compare. I own a 430 and recently had the opportunity to crew on a 43 from Fiji to Vanuatu. The 43, belonging to Hank Meuzelaar (who is a frequent contirbutor to this web site), is actually Hull #1, so the later 43's may be different. This particular boat has been extensively modified for blue water operation. Among other things, a staysail has been added, and is used extensively along with a reefed main to control the common problem of these boats overpowering easily. The 43 main is even smaller than the 430's, which is way overpowered at much lower wind speeds, also requiring early reefing. Both boats have B