Well, I am back, what a year it has been.  A bad one for the blog, as I didn't write in it once, that's absolutely terrible.  Thia is a situation that has to be fixed.  I am going to try and start again, so enough of the dull stuff.  Lets update on Surprise. 
No real new updates other than the purchase of the Jordan series Drogue to be used if Surprise gets caught in heavy weather, this is a link to read more about the drogue.   http://www.yachtingworld.com/features/a-jordan-series-drogue-63180  and one more,  http://seriesdrogue.com/ 
I also moved my sensors for the SIRIUS radio and chart plotter GPS receiver to the top of the radar loop,

I also sold the spinnaker and purchased a whisker pole, while I was sad to see the spinnaker go, I was excited to get the whisker pole and after using it just a few times I was thinking I was crazy for not getting it sooner.  Sailing down wind so much nicer with the jib poled out. 

So all in all its been a great year of sailing, I will post more later about Rob and I and our annual trip, this time to New Orleans.  It was great more, so looking forward to more great trips.