With 72 days till the last day of work, the swiftsure race and the start of my trip, here are the things I still need to do in preparation (making lists is a good way to feel like you are doing stuff without actually doing stuff, love ’em)
Boat Things I can do in the water
- Build\get built a hard dodger
- Buy and install more chain (probably 150 foot more for a total of 200 foot)
- Finish/Buy Windvane (I am thinking about selling my mostly finished hebridean and getting one that doubles as an emergency rudder)
- Switch the shower controls to non levers, so I stop accidentally spraying water everywhere
- Buy Jordon Drouge, setup attachment points on boat
- install the 12v socket and add a 12v lamp in V Berth to decrease camping feel
- Put stainless steel handrails on boat
- Put a plastic top on the battery bank to reduce chance of shorts
- Get liferaft recertified
- Assemble/Install the watermaker I bought
- Install the new bow cleats
- Reefing system upgrade (mostly done)
- Buy/install inverter
- Get anchor swivel and practice using my sea anchor ala the Pardeys’ method
- Move the diesel heater lower in the cabin
- get alternator regulator working
- finish wiring up additional instruments
- install additional solar
Boat Things I need to be hauled out for
- Pull, check and clean thruhulls
- Seal up one of the old head thruhulls
- Replace motor mounts
- Clean/paint bottom
- Pull mast and check/replace tangs
- Check/replace fore/rear chainplates
- Replace rudder stuffing box
Non boat things I need to do
- Work out where my darn mail is going to go
- Get any shots I need
- Put together first aid kit
- Buy wetsuit and maybe a spear gun
- Sort out insurance
WHEW. Quite the list. This obviously all vary in difficulty, from the couple of hour job to install the lamp to the multi-week project of building a hard dodger.
Over the last few days I’ve been banging away at a few bits and pieces which I’ll make a post on, in the meantime what’s worth than breaking off a tap?
Breaking off two taps. Arrrgghhhhh.
I am filling in the blanks on why you need the spear gun and it’s glorious.
Huntin’ the kraken
I think I will kinda sad if you don’t use the windvane after all that work. Its been fun watching it come together.
I keep looking for digital mail-forwarding for Canadians and keep failing to find anything. You might try some of the Youtubers that are Canadian: Shaun & Julia Sailing (Bahamas) are from Ontario, Off the Starboard Bow (Mexico) are from BC and 100 Rabbits started from Sidney and are in Australia now.
If worst comes to worst I could do it for you. I have a document scanner. And I am going to be stuck here for a few more year at least 🙂
If you are going to put a link in your chain check out the topic “whoops… there goes the chain!” over on CruisersForum.
Me too! At least I learnt some good skills.
It’s crazy there is nothing hey! I have a friend who has just had a baby and moved into a new place, I’ll probably send it to her as she’ll be there for a while. Thanks for the offer though! 🙂
And yes, I’ve been following that thread – very interesting. I had always heard joining chain was a big no-no, but it actually seems to be ok?
Hey I dunno if you have checked it out but as of a couple weeks ago the boat thrift store at canoe cove had a full windvane setup for $500 or so… It has been there a while so good chance it’s still there.
That’s a great tip, thanks. Will call tomorrow!
They are only open Friday 10-3(4?) and Saturday same times
Yup, just found that out!
When I turned in my notice I had just as long or longer list. But once I left the cubic forrest I worked full time on m boat and left that fall on the southern migration. That was 13 years ago. My only real mistake was the dozen and dozen of things I had been convinced were “necessary”. Go small Go now is the advice I wish I’d followed. Good luck and fair winds.
Thanks for the encouraging words 🙂
Err…….holy shit!!
You just scared it out of me!
rip