Our Cruise South: The Final Word

Well it looks as though I'm not going to be writing a summary for this blog - a cruising trip recap so to speak. A year has passed and I still haven't followed through on my intention to wrap everything up - to come up with all kinds of numbers as I've seen other bloggers do, like: how many times did we soft ground, how many nights did we anchor, etc. and so on. On the other hand, in the year since we've been back, Bob and I have put together a presentation for our club and I have written an article for our club magazine so we've done our share of looking back and summarizing. It's occurred to me that I could transfer some of that work here to the blog: I'm going to post the lists Bob compiled for our presentation as well as the text of the article that I wrote. That should do it!

Bob's List: Preparing Sea Change for Cruising to the Bahamas

Additions for Protection Against Salt Water

• VC 17 stripped off; Interprotect and Micron CSC put on
• Traditional stuffing box replaced with P.S.S. dripless
• Galvanic Isolator
• Lanacote spray for stainless
• Spare zincs

Safety, Navigation and Sailing

• CP&S Squadron Piloting Course and St. John's First Aid
• Added jack lines and refreshed First Aid kit
• LED masthead light (strobe light option)
• Raymarine C80 Chart Plotter and 2 kw radar
• Navionics Platinum chips; paper charts and guide books
• 90 ft. chain / 2nd rode and chain / Fortress and Bubble anchors
• Carbon fiber whisker pole and mast mount
• Tow Bow US membership

Communication

• Unlocked cell phone, US and Bahamas SIM cards
• Sirius Radio
• Computer
• Spot Messenger

Comfort and Convenience 

• Espar heater
• Full enclosure
• New coastal off shore foulies
• Long underwear, socks, toques, gloves
• Honda 2000 generator
• Freedom 10 inverter/charger
• Additional GR. 27 Surrette house battery
• Hatch screens and extra No Seeum small sized netting

Tools, Spare Parts and Transport

• Built on-deck mast cradle
• Stowaway inflatable boat fenders
• Bulbs, oil filters, belts, tool kit, drill
• 9.9 Four Stroke engine, hard bottom dinghy and davits
• Balmar 100 Amp ALT, regulator and isolator
• Sea Gull in-line water filter
• Rebuild kits: head, bilge pumps, fresh water pump, impellers

In the Galley (in addition to the usual provisions)

• Small containers of spices
• Baking supplies
• Mixing bowls, cookware: muffin tins, loaf pans, cookie sheet
• Pressure Cooker
• Cook books: The Cruising Chef / Michael Greenwald, One Pot Wonders: James Barber's Recipes for Land and Sea, Cooking Under Pressure / Lorna J. Sass

Additions, Replacements and Repairs Along the Way

• Starter engine solenoid
• Under bunk plastic grate for moisture control
• Extra zincs and hull cleaning
• Fresh water pressure switch
• New macerator and repair kit
• Repaired 2 electric bilge pumps
• WiFi signal booster, antenna and mount
• New dinghy lock (old one salt corroded)
• Repaired leak in the anchor locker
• Exchanged starting battery
• Changed oil every 25 days
• Replaced engine impeller
• Subscription to Chris Parker's Weather Service
• Single side band receiver
•  

Summing It All Up: Cruising to the Bahamas: A First Experience