On our last trip in 1996 from California to Florida, we saw a Defever 44 and an Island trader 40 which made the trip. There was about a 55 foot Sutton?? design in Steel who we have kept in touch with. Since we were going fast I think that we saw most of the boats in route that year. I suspect that many are frightened off by the weather off S. Mexico and C. America. In 1983 we saw only one "Ida Z" a 55' Bill Garden design. Now that Central America is "open" it is much easier to do this run. Bob Austin thataway@aol.com