OK Lady P. I'm giving up the day job in the summer so I hope to do a lot more in future years. PM for my email if you like :-)

Arne, the Fastnet disater was in August ('79) not February and was way out in the open waters of the SW Approaches & southern Irish Sea. If the weather's horrid (not unlikely at this time of year - look at it now!) we'll stay in the Solent. I've had all sorts of weather there in February, from flat calm and bright sunshine to F8 & heavy hail, and ice (not frost, ice!) on the deck. But there's so much shelter and so many harbours and creeks that there's almost always somewhere to go.
However, I might be interested in BVIs etc. In fact I know someone who has a new Bavaria 40 out there. What dates are you thinking of? PM if you like.

luv & kisses all round
xxx

Steve