Hi Connie, I enjoy your recollections immensely. To interject a thought here, one of the boat magazines had an article recently about a float-on, float-off boat transport service. This service has several semi-submersible ships. The ballast tanks are flooded to bring boats on board. Divers weld supports to the deck, the ballast tanks are emptied, and then your and your boat are transported to a distant shore. While in transit you live onboard your boat which is connected to the ship’s generator. You may take your meals in the ship’s mess. You have the opportunity to scrape the bottom or do other work while underway. No separation anxieties. No navigation worries. No midnight watches. If I ever do an ocean crossing, it will be in this fashion. steve Steve R. M-15 #119 Lexington, KY --- chbenneck@juno.com wrote: If you want to sail the Flicka to Europe...