|     First off, I do not have an absolute payload objective........

Over 3000#, which you don't have now. Check.

|> I found this link of a kd 860 for sale.

|  You sent me a link to Oryx,

In the ad the boat is named Curi. I didn't know it was Onyx. But no harm.

| but it is not the boat I want.

It's that extra 3', isn't it?

|  I'm partial to having the center of effort as close to the center of the boat as possible.

Ah. Well I prefer a boat that's cheaper with a better ride and more accommodations. We all do what we can.

|   I'm looking at keeping heeling force / capsize forces down down, as well as air draft, whichwill of course allow me to get into places you cannot with a 50' mast.

Yes, that very common bridge clearance of 'over 40', but less than 50'.

|I could send you a complete bill of materials (off list).........

That would be neat. But an all up dollar cost would be cool.

|> Interesting thought. I would say this exception SHOWS that it is entirely reasonable to say one can design a longer, lighter boat.
|>
|Let me point out that Pellican is a longer heavier boat, not a longer lighter boat........

So, one cannot design a longer lighter boat?

|  I'm not questioning or challenging your choice of boats.  The 40' HP just doesn't do it for me.......

And your continued coyness about why is getting tedious.

|> I think you should convert your Kg per meter figures into $/m.
| I'll leave that up to you.  KG and dollars are essentially proportional for a given build method.

Except I don't have the data.