Hi Ron: The answer to the BW question is the drop center model. These were made so the engine could be mounted somewhat lower than the in-line. The result is that the pressure tensions changed for the worse if you ran the engines at higher RPM. I operate our engines at no more than 1650 (7.4kts) and there is really no reason to go any higher to achieve an extra knot with an increase of 50% more fuel. Our weather info came from the SSB and the ham radio plus local weather forecasters. Our longest leg was from Bermuda to the Azores. We waited for a good forecast for 7 days from Bermuda and 7 days from the Azores. When that window arrived we went. No problem. We were not on a schedule so this worked for us. Regards. Leonard Stern, Indifference.