Before you start chasing miles, it helps to know what kind of days you’re trying to string together. Some crews want the far edge of the chart and don’t mind a little grit in the teeth. Others want a boat that feels like a steady little house, even when the anchorage is rolly and the laundry’s behind.
And then there are the ones who just want to keep moving—clean departures, honest averages, fewer long stays waiting on weather or parts. Most of us are a mix, of course, but one priority usually wins when the wind goes light, the fridge quits, or everyone’s had enough of damp socks.
It’s easier to make good choices when you say that part out loud first.