thanks for all replies re my original quest for comments, help ad experience on crossing the atlantic in our 26.5 hunter. have come across the exploits of eau-de-vie when on her long distance. thanks to this site much learnt from it and the e.mail diary kept. our own challenge seems not so unsurmountable but still much more experience to be tapped required. before long will be putting a list of questions, etc. in the meantime, many thanks and to h.o.w. ted.