I am Scott Strickland. I am 48 and have a degree in Compute science and I have had a computer consulting business since 1980. I am a technical consultant who is still working when not cruising. My Wife is Teri and is often times referred to as a saint. (I have wondered why...Hal you do not need to answer this!) We received our Nordhavn 47 (hull # 8) Strickly for Fun in Oct 2003. (Ah--I am forced to say that the name is sometimes a stretch!) One minute after delivery I took the boat from Dana Point to Friday Harbor Washington. Teri joined me in their and we cruised around the San Juan's. In January 2004 Teri joined me in going back down to Dana Point for a week, then thru the Panama Canal to Florida for the Nordhavn Atlantic Rally. We left with the Rally for the Mediterranean where we arrived in June 2004 Georgs Kolesnikovs was with us on the 1900 mile NAR leg. We cruised up to Barcelona where the boat is wintering. We will restart our trip in April going to Turkey where we plan to winter the boat. First year statsistics. 1987 hours on main engine. 14,200 miles from Fureno NavNet. (somewhat estimated, since the odometer on Navnet has to be reset at 10,000 miles, but we did not know that). About 15-20 countries. No major problems. Only once we the waves over 20 feet, on the bow for only a few hours then turned an ran with it. MUCH BETTER! Next time hope to have the 20 foot seas on the bow only 5 minutes! Only one multi-day gale force wind experience (for not Stricky for Fun days, yes the crew mention the word hellish more then once!) Yes we are still married! I really like the idea of this group. Trawler World had too many people who "have not done it" anywhere but within a thousand miles of home telling what works best everywhere. Scott Strickland Strickly for Fun Nordhavn 47.