If you can drive that 20' Allison, or a Hyrdostrem, than the bigger boats you drive as you said a "piece of cake." Excellent advice, great post

So you would say smaller boats require more skill.

Both can be a problem if you can't understand a weather report

I'm thinking the small Jet Sprint's...lol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xbWrX1KYd1o

I don`t find my 38' any easier to dock.. just the opposite.

Small boat you throw one rope and pull the whole boat in.
My boat needs someone in front and back, if it`s a short dock or current or wind then it`s even worse.
People at the dock trying to help will tug on the front and kick my a$$ end out all the time. I need a stern thruster .

Having driven boats for over 50 years now, I will say (as I always have) that learning to drive a small (under 23') high performance boat is absolutely the best way to learn. If you can drive a fast small boat at the limit, you can drive anything. And that includes a shorter learning curve on twins BTW. Why? Because everything happens faster in a smaller, lighter boat. If you learn how to react fast enough to drive a small boat at that level, you can drive anything.

On a related note, I've had "experienced" high performance boaters who've had nothing but larger boats try to drive my 22" Progression - and they all fall flat on their faces at about 65 MPH. I then take over and run it right up to 75+ and they wonder how the hell I do it. Then they understand why I'm so comfortable running bigger boats.

I just went from a true 28 (no step/no pad) Checkmate to a 25 Howard with a step and a notched hull. I gotta say it is much harder to drive the Howard. I think its a faster hull but its a drivers boat. Still Learning to drive this one.

Let's not forget a lot has to do with the person behind the helm.

I think that mine is getting to small that's why I am looking for a bigger boat. Can't be to thin to rich, or have to big a boat.

I went from a 20' stingray to a 29 regal to a 35 lightning. I'm on a river that has a steady 12-15 mph current with a 12 foot tide range. The regal could be a handful at times with the single engine and having to run around everything to jump off and tie up as I usually go alone. I like the fountain over both of them anyday.