Also the answer is that John has a true passagemaker with the range and capability of going directly to the Caribbean. Most of the boats which take the Van Sant run are shorter range boats, boats which need to stop every night and boats which cannot weather the conditions which might be encountered where there is no shelter or have to wait out weather. I have friends who are very experienced off shore cruisers enjoy this route, but eventually you have to put it in "gear and go"! You see this in many places with coastal cruisers. Folks are always "waiting for the weather"--"better conditions"--excuses often for insecurity. That is not to say you need to follow the instructions, because you will have a better trip if you do, but one has to put up with less than ideal conditions at time. Bob Austin