It's been a long winter with lots of planning.

                            Things we need to do before we leave.
1. Get rid of our belongings. We got rid of everything but the cloths we can fit on the boat.
"Yikes"
2. We updated our passports, and applied and got our Nexus pass.
3. We sent away for our OHIP 2 year extension .
4. We bought a 2 year medical insurance plan.
     CAA is great if you are a member. You get a discount rate.
5. Made doctor appointments for prescriptions for 2 years and medical checkup.
6. We ordered a Cruising Decal to Cruise the USA.
7. We updated the boat registry.
8. We applied for maritime radio station licence
9.Applied and received a "Maritime Mobile Service Identities" ( MMSI #)
10. Updated our boat insurance.
11. Applied for Small Vessel Reporting System. This is like a sail plan that is given to the   boarder patrol.
12. Purchased and registered our new ACR Aqua Link. Personal Beacon that send emergency signal to the Coastguard  with our position.
13. Updated Flares
14. Bought new instruments.  Garmin AIS Automatic Identification System. It is like having the same thing as a transponder on a plane.
15.Purchased new Mantis anchor for better holding in the Caribbean.
 16. Purchased new Waterway Ports books for the Intercostal waterways and Paper Charts and Electronic Charts for Florida and the Caribbean.
17. Purchased a new computer and extra hard drives to save pictures and blog.
18. Updated our Wills
19. have Roy the mechanic replace the injectors and tighten the head on the engine.
I hope we have covered all aspects of leaving the dock,,,, If anyone thinks we have missed anything then please let us know.
Whew!





BACK TO THE GRIND

tThe weather is not cooperative and time is a ticking,,,,There is still a lot more to do. In March we built a tent around the base of the boat. So we can get at this big job. 













We have built this tent around the boat to do sanding. Over the winter I found some blisters in the bottom and they have to be opened up to dry out. After sanding the bottom I will apply 6 coats of epoxy and 2 coats of salt water anti fouling. I am having a bad time sanding off the VCTAR. This stuff is not coming off easy. I have to find and purchase some 24 or 36 grit sand paper and see if that will get it off.

This is a picture of the VCTAR