Ok, lots of good info, but just leading to more questions.

Ive found piracy maps at
http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracy_maps_2004.php but it looks like they
are mainly talking about cargo cariers. does anyone know if they inclue
private sailing vessles? (do you still call it a pleasure craft if you
live on it?)

Id like to go through the suez canal, so I can stop by italy on the way
out of europe, and avoid the long, probably boring, (anyone know
something fun along the african coast?) trip around. From what i read
its under UN controll, peacefull and free. But I info on it if few and
far between, even on the UN site. But coming out of it, you have
somolia and yemen, anyone have good info on making that passage?

Also a hot spot is just north of australia, and I want to visit sydney
and some other places, I should be ok if I come around from the south,
right? Thats geting awfluly close to cold cold water. Anyone have any
info on making it around the south of aus and from aus to japan?

Also, when you way out there, 1000nm from anyone, will anyone come
assist you? say your epirb goes of, will anyone come? How do you get
help?

The thing with the firearms, from what I see, the "pirates" out there
are idiots in 1-2 speed boats with AK-47s and RPGs that board cargo
ships at night and run if you so much as shine a light on them. Im not
a cargo ship, what is the diffrence in the experiance for a smaller
craft. I have a single shot 50 cal BMG rifle, armor percing rounds will
put at least golf-ball sized holes in their hull, and im certain i can
put them at their water line at 2000yards good seas, 500-750yards bad
seas. If they start taking on watter they will have to go back to land.
does anyone have an idea what the numbers are for non-comercial craft?
more? less? Is putting up sail like a "come rob me" flag? Contrary to
popular belife, I would like to avoid any and all confrontation, but I
realise this may not happen. I just wanna know what the odds are. Also,
are there escorts you can hire to take you through the 2-300nm of the
greatest risk areas? whats a reputable source for such services? if so
are you basicaly paying them off (ie: is it the same people as the
pirates)??