Just finished a 9 day adventure to the Dry Tortugas. Took off from Port Richey, Fl. Spent 3 days beating to wind in a Catalina 320. Tacked 430 miles to go 238. It took 71 hours to get there. We had 18 to 25 kts of wind out of the south with 5 to 8 foot seas. Got to with in 15 miles on the last tack and couldn't do it any more so we motored the last 15 miles. A bath never felt so good. There were 3 of us on board, the boat never felt small. We spent 3 and a half days there then back to the barn. Departing the tortugas we had 7 to 10 kts on the port quarter, set the cruising chute, and made 61 miles the first 12 hours. The quartering seas were a challange to steady sailing, but we weren't tacking and were going north. Winds were up to 18 to 20 on the port quarter that night. Ran with full main and a 125 genny, averaged 6 kts. made it back home in 50 hours, moostly with a quartering sea. We were the smallest sail boat at anchor there, but I found the 320 more than capable of handling rough weather, and accomodating 3 guys for 9 days. The boat was very stable and we never felt any thing but safe on the boat. It did every thing we asked of her, and never complained. Used a total of 10 gallons of fuel for 9 days most for charging batteries 1 1/2 hours a day, and a 15 mile run in 2.9 hours. I've had this boat for 6 months and can't begin to tell you how happy I am with it. Looking forward to the next trip. Where? Not sure yet, but not till hurricaine season is over.