Norm, Sounds great! It'll be super to get to meet you and we are looking forward to sailing with ya. (especially since you've done the rip before and are familiar with the area). Yes, we've sailed the 17 in some pretty good winds, however, that's on an inland lake with just wind chop to deal with. Like I said before, I consider my self a coastal neophyte! We've gone to San Diego before and played around a little off Point Loma, but mostly stayed on the Bay. A trip any distance offshore is a first for me so you'll probably find me on the cautious side. I don't think...no....I know you won't see my trying to beat to Anacapa in 34 knots of wind!! Now , Jason?????? He's pretty gung ho! As for overnighting, I don't think we're going to be in for that. We're really hoping to go out and back on Sat so we can get home on Sunday. If we can't sail out Sat we'll try for an early trip Sun am out and back but we both have to be back to work on Monday for sure. (I love my job but that work thing really get in the way sometimes!) Hope some other folks will come along as well. Any info you can round up would be great. Thanks Sean