Now we're in the Pacific, never to return to the Atlantic. Well, never say never but you guys can keep those too close together waves, gulf loop, gulf streams, Cape Hatteras, Cape Fear.......... Hey I miss you all already and I'm so tacky I loved Key West.

It's amazing the things I made my Simrad hydraulic autopilot do on Second Chance. Going from a tiller steered, fin keeled, spade rudder, 16KLB boat to a full keel, wheel steered, barn door rudder 32KLB boat was a leap across the spectrum. I cussed this boat for 2 thousand miles for it's lack of ability to sail fast to weather. Then we broke the autopilot and had to use the Monitor windvane, since then I have completely changed my sail plans for a given wind/sea condition. It's amazing how much abuse at the helm a boat like the Mason 43 will tolerate compared to Joint Adventure. It also amazes me how many people go offshore depending on a wheel pilot to do the brunt of the helm work. Get a windvane people! It'll force you to balance your sails and take the stress off of your rudder. If you sail a spade rudder boat or skeg hung rudder get an emergency rudder, if you're going offshore.