I have read Archer's blog several times. To be charitable, I'll say that his writing is "colorful". There is enough BS in some of his other writing--and some facts which are suspect, that it makes some of the story questionable. My recollection of the Good Will in the early 50's was that she was in farily good shape at that time. She was chartered for an expetition to the S. Pacific in 1967, so would have been in good enough condition for that voyage. I am sure that Hal and my paths crossed on the water--and we knew the same boats--although we probably did not actually know each other. I knew of his father and Diamond Head. I crewed on some boats which raced against his dad's boat. I am quite sure I have a photo of the start of the '53 TransPac. I dove on the wreck of Goodwill in the 70's on Sacramento Reef. (Sacramento Reef is North East of Cedros Island and South of Punta San Antonio--Not 4 miles North of Cabo San Lucas...) My recollection is that the speculation was that the compass had been altered, that she was set on the reef by the current in bad weather--and there was some dis-satisfaction by a crew person in Mexico--but I don't remember enough of what I had heard to be quoted. Yes, Larabee was a character--but I don't think as bad as he is made out to be in the story. (No GPS then!) Goodwill was a magnificant sight under sail--and imposing sitting at the dock. I wish that there was a better chronology of her on the internet. There was a group of magnificant wooden boats in S. Calif. after WWII. Dolphin, SeaHawk, Stella Maris, Morning Star, Nalu II, Nam Sang, Bolero: a lot more whose names don't come to mind--and a lot of smaller ones--which also sailed in the transpacs. I think a lot of that history is lost. Bob Austin