2 years after learning to sail a Catalina 270 on a large (for the region) lake in middle Indiana, I went to the US Virgin Islands. Spent 3 days on a 46' sailboat. It was a hand-built boat, but the hull was a sleek, racing hull from Hunter (I think.) The captian was great. Anyone seen "Captian Ron" with Kurt Russell as the gnarly sea-dog? That is the captian of this boat. The entire 3 days was spent under sail. We went in and around St. John, Tortolla, St. Thomas with a stop-over at Foxy's. We always came in just after full dark, and again, only under sail. While I thought I could handle a boat, Captian Ron took us in and arounf the moorings, AT NIGHT, with nothing but a spotlight. While cruising around during the day, after getting checked in at Tortolla, we went sailing in and around one of the marinas there. Packed full of boats on moorings. I was only used to Docks, not tie-up bouys. During some of the more exciting sails, we made up to 15 knots. The fastest I had been in the Cat 270 was about 5.5 knots. The sights there were amazing. If anyone has the chance, get down there and do some sailing. Go to St. John and ask for Capt'n Ron. The name of the boat started with "Wind..." If I was at home, I could find a picture of it and remember the full name. It was one of the best vacations. I have currently moved to a Catalina 320, but have only been on it twice this year. I am so ready to get out and put it to work I can hardly stand it. BTW, that means the Catalina 270 is for sale. bbuskey@sturm.org if interested...