Arild observed: Have our collective self indulgence gotten in the way of common sense? How many cruising people can still navigate with pencil, paper and a stop watch. How many can actually take a celestial sight and reduce it to a plot? Scott suggests: I can't do any of the things Arild mentions above. But even if I could it wouldnt mean anything if the boat we have wasn't something my wife could enjoy. When most husbands ask their wives (or partners) to join them on these voyages they are asking them to leave friends and family behind. It's not asking a lot do make these trips in a level of comfort they can enjoy. Sure I'd prefer it was less costly, but buying a boat that she could see as a home for 2 years dictated our choice. No regrets, I'm happy to be out here! Scott E. Bulger, ALANUI, Nordhavn 40II, Seattle WA