Gerry,

Lots of people that start out on the Blue water cruise of a lifetime, want to share their feers with others often they haven't done many or any serious crossings before starting and this is probably on of the main reasons that the ARC and the Biscay rally are so popular.

I have heard of one recent example of a couple doing the Biscay rally followed by the ARC they had one party after another all the way always being surrounded by people, at the end the wife virtually flipped out, it had all got too much, too many people, no time to yourself etc etc

I think if you are worried about the first big trip then the organization that goes with a rally is useful but after that disappear on your own and don't get sucked into a constant non changing group. where's the freedom with all that peer presure?