All hands-- A few weeks back there was discussion about the numbers of vessels--ships and yachts--that have made it across the Northwest Passage. Here's the answer: In 2005, at the end of 51 difficult days, Idlewild became the first power yacht to transit the Northwest Passage in a single season. Two other power yachts have made it, both singlehanded by David Scott Cowper, Mabel E. Holland in 1986-90 and Polar Bound in 2003-04. Twenty sailboats have made it across, moving mainly under power. About four dozen ships and one Royal Canadian Mounted Police power catamaran have made the transit. I believe this information is good to the end of the 2006 season. When I obtain later information, I'll update the numbers. It's still a treacherous body of water up there, especially for yachts. Information about the powercat transit can be accessed through our site at the URL below. For maps of various routes across the Arctic and excellent general info about the Northwest Passage, go http://www.athropolis.com/links/nwpass.htm --Georgs -- Georgs Kolesnikovs Power Catamaran World http://www.powercatamaranworld.com