15 days – this is happening soon folks!

My countdown widget is at 15 today. As the weather is still pretty unpredictable in March – I have a reservation for the first week at Van Isle Marina. Here is a short video about the marina: https://vimeo.com/133595649 Now you know as much as we do 🙂 I also have a reservation at the same marina for June 5-15. One of our Canadian friends is giving us a ride on his boat to Anacortes for the Nordic Tug rendezvous, then we are going to take a quick trip home, smooch those boys, leave our truck, and fly back to Victoria. We are going to be in southern Canada for a while exploring the Gulf Islands, so if you would like to come for a visit, hit us up and we’ll make a plan. You can fly or drive and take a ferry. (which is fun in itself). We are also going to start honing our fishing skills.

We have knocked most things off our list. Jim is installing the dinghy davit later this week. In case you are wondering what a davit is – “A davit is any of various crane-like devices used for supporting, raising, and lowering equipment such as boats and anchors.” Our davit will sit on our swim step. Why we chose the one we did (Olsson) – we won’t have to take the motor on and off every time. The dinghy will hang horizontally. Once installed, we will need new docking procedures, as the davits will hinder starboard tie-ups and we’ll need to request a port tie-up from here on out. (at least that is my theory at this point)

The weather has taken a turn. We had a snow shower blow through yesterday and it is 34 degrees this morning. I’m worrying about all those lovely flowering bushes we have seen of late. I’m sure they are used to the mercurial late winter but still.

Here is what is left on our list

• Solar panels (this is not urgent – this might get done in Canada)
• Quarterly zinc and bottom cleaning (scheduled)
• install davits
• Wash and Wax the boat (this, my friend, will not be happening. We wanted to hire it out and no one is returning calls or emails.) We did end up getting a quote and they could do it – problem is – $3k! Those guys work their hinies off – but that is too rich for our blood – we’ll have to do that one ourselves!
• Make sure we have all the necessary documents to cross the border into Canada still need some smoke signals
• Provision -this is mostly done – we won’t have a vehicle again until October so we want to make sure that we have the bulk of the shopping done.
• engine and generator maintenance
• program and install AIS – once this is installed you will be able to look on a marine traffic website and see exactly where we are – we’re not getting it for that reason – it’s for collision avoidance!

I see the glazed look in your eye. I’ll sign off!

Talk Soon.