Well, I would not have guessed it but I have found a surprising effect of doing longer trips in the Merry Fisher 625... muscle fatigue!

That's right... no auto-helm so constantly having to steer and closely monitor heading etc means that I am constantly on the move all the time I am at sea even in good weather. This is showing itself up with aching muscles a day or two after a long trip. I will have about 26 days at sea separated by just 3 days or so and and so I will not have much recovery time.

Looks like I had better get down to the gym!