Getting Ready

It's now less than 1 week till I loose the lines and preparation continues.

I've done lots of things to get the boat ready for the trip and to make it as easy as possible to single-hand.

• A few years ago we "electrified" the winches, converting the winches on the coachroof, adjacent to the companionway and the Jib Sheet winches on the comings to power winches....push a button and the sails roll in or out
• Last year we got new a new Jib and a new Staysail. We had replaced the main two years ago

This spring made a bunch of modifications:

•  we replaced the windlass with a new Lofrans Tigres (I think it is strong enough to pull the boat up a mountain). We did it just in time..as the old windlass was removed it crumbled apart!
• We replaced the CQR 45lb anchor with a Rocna 55lb anchor which by report is a much better, and surely newer, design
• We replaced the Bruce 45 lb anchor with a Fortress 15 lb anchor which I think will give more flexibility when anchoring (and reduced the net weight at the bow by 30 lbs...probably not significant)
• We added a Bow Thruster (SidePower 85) to facilitate maneuvering at low speed...its a wonderful thing! To supply the enormous currents it needs (>300 amp) we placed two type 27 anchors under the forward bunk and immediately adjacent to the Bow Thruster. These are electrically in parallel with the 4 house batteries (same type) but the idea is that due to the resistance (small, but not zero) of the thick wires running from the house bank to the Bow Thruster batteries most of the current comes from those two batteries. But since all the batteries are in parallel, they all charge  together. So far, so good
• We modified the electric head and Lectrosan so that if we visit the Keys (which don't allow use of the Lectrosan...silly) we can switch to using the holding tank

Two weeks ago we made final preparations for the boat

• Had the boat Bottom Painted, put anti-fouling on the propellor, and water-based antifoulling on the speed and depth sensors
• Change the oil and oil filters, changed the transmission fluid, changed and internal anti-freeze, and changed the fuel filters
• Refilled the propane tanks and purchased two more small tanks for the Barbeque

This past two weeks we've been doing basic provisioning.

• Filled the fuel and water tanks
• Put 10 steaks and 10 cooked chicken thighs in the freezer (will transfer to the boat in the morning)
• Got 12 cans of Amy's low sodium soups (will heat in the morning each day, put in a thermos, and have for lunch
• Got 12 packs of Freeze-dried meals (Mountain House, various meals, had good reviews)
• Got 12 packs of HDR meals (sold as part of a diet program, but can be eaten at room temperature and has at least a year shelf-life at room temperature...they must radiate it)
• Got peanut butter and Jelly if I really get hungry
• Got lots of assorted nuts for snacks (pistachios in the shell, mixed nuts, all salt free)
• Got a Mellitta funnel (#6 filter paper) that drains directly into a Thermos...will make in the morning before heading out each day to drink as I go along
• Got 5 boxes (Black Box) 3 Liters each of assorted flavors..each box keeps for at least 6 weeks once opened.
• Got 24 cans of Diet Ginger Beer (Goslings) and1.5 Liters of Gosling Rum to make Dark and Stormy's as needed
• Have sufficient amounts of Gin, Bourbon, Scotch, Rum if people visit (lately I've been sticking with wine or Dark and Stormy's). 

Tomorrow we purchase the stuff that goes directly into the fridge (which has been on for two days and is at temperature), including eggs, butter, bread, lettuce, tomatoes and other salad fixings, cheese, crackers, etc.
Tomorrow we put the clothes on board