Glad you had a good trip....We didn't go to the island as planned....I chickened out because of the slight "Growl" I heard the last two times I had the boat out......not the time of year to head offshore knowing there may be a problem. Sat. pulled the drive and sure enough....water in the drive bellows....that always spells the end of the gimbal bearing......though I could not fell any roughness spinning the inner race of the bearing the presence of saltwater told the tale.....
Salt water and bearings never mix well, best to get them changed out and a new bellows installed before going out again. Gots to keep that nasty salt water out of the mechanicals!