We left Maine June 6 and had a fairly uneventful 13 day passage. First 4 days almost entirely under spinnaker in light westerlies, then 5 days of reaching, then 4 days a mixed bag. Only 2 days of rough weather, up to 30s during frontal passage and the like. I don't have a great internet connection here in Faja Grande so will post more later. I found the NOAA altimeter data for currents and Gulf Stream eddies to be very accurate and helpful.

As Brian mentioned my 1/4" bolts holding gooseneck and vang are suffering. I have the fittings off and hopefully will have the fittings professionally retapped in Horta for 5/16 bolts. Then I can hold the gooseneck against the mast and tap into the mast by hand, with the gooseneck providing an already tapped hole to guide the tap into the mast itself.

I also have a friend bringing over a banding tool. After installing the new bolts, I am going to put a pair of 3/4" wide SS bands right around the mast to help hold the gooseneck and vang in place. A friend did this on his Swan 38 and it held fine.

PS my wife has a simple blog if anyone is interested:

Mllboi.wordpress.com