Dave,
I've been a member of the R22 list for ten years now and the discussion for  
a larger (R27) hull has been brought up every year. I'm sure the questions 
have  been asked long before I became an owner.
I don't really know why Stan would take on this project now, except that  
perhaps there are enough hulls to be built, all at one time to make it  
worthwhile. Or, perhaps he's just a glutton for punishment.
 
Rummy