Just completed my first cruise. Sailed from my home in Cape Coral down to watch the fast boats in the NAMSA Mid-Winters. You can't believe how easy it is to become disoriented, or how difficult to hold a course at night without any landmarks. Keep in mind that stars move and clouds sometimes cover them. I had to refer constantly to my GPS, which can be grueling in and of itself.

Also, I once raced a Hobie 16 off Singer Island in "square Waves" but only of 6-8 feet. Very, very rough sailing.

You guys need to remember the old saying " there are old sailors and bold sailors, but there are no old bold sailors"

Anyway, the trip has been done before. Jack Sammons refers to it in "Welcome to A Fleet." Incidentally, he also refers to being nearly run down by a freighter. If memory serves, his description had to do with red and green nav lights getting further and further apart!