Boat Preparations

Warning:  This entry is about maintenance and projects that have been done.  If you are not interested, I will not be offended if you stop reading now.  For those of you who asked, I won't call you out, but you know who you are, here is the list.  I am sure that I've forgotten many things already.

Most of the work was planned, but there were some unplanned jobs as well.  Knowing that we were going to do this trip many years ago, some of the improvements / changes we made years ago while thinking of this trip.

Will try to start with the oldest, but sometimes they run together.

About 5-6 years ago, we decided to replace all of our outdoor carpet.  We HAD to go to the Miami Boat show to do research on the subject.  We had Seadeck installed on the bridge as it has a softer feel to it.  We had SeaTech installed in the cockpit as it was a harder material and holds up better with the dog, chairs, coolers, traffic, etc...  We have been really happy with it so far.  Love not having to pull up and clean the carpet every time it got wet.  Added new radar mount and hinged satellite mount to be able to lower to 19 feet.  Necessary to get under fixed bridge in Chicago (19ft).  Installed new VHF ship to shore radio with AIS.

About 3 years ago, we had an unplanned event.  Our generator died.  When I say it died, I mean it really died.  Jerry Ault said he could fix it, but it would be cheaper to buy a new.  Washington installed a new Westerbeke.

Last year we upgraded our electronics.  Simrad - Chart plotter, radar, autopilot, depth.  Installed thermal camera.   Upgraded back-up camera and added an anchor camera.  Installed new, bigger TV and mount.  Replaced pilot house air conditioner.  Bought hands free headsets, to use for going through locks and docking.

This year we bought a new dinghy.  This required modifying and relocating the holding cradle.  Some know the story, but the dinghy was 3 months late on delivery.  Added a cell booster and WIFI unlimited jet pack.  Replaced refrigerator, with a new bigger one. Made a new cover for instrument panel.  Repaired bridge seats (3).  Added pump out for overboard discharge (in case of emergency only).

So the rest on this list is work that was done either by me, Marcia, Washington Marine, Jeff at The Canvas Shop or Carl at Dockside Air, after we were back from Pittsburgh.

• relocate FLIR (thermal) camera
• bottom paint for saltwater
• replace zincs
• change transmission fluid
• change engine cooling fluid
• replace starboard heat exchange seals
• check all batteries (5 regular, 3 8D's)
• replace all blower motors -4
• replace air filters
• replace oil breathers
• setup outlets to work on inverter
• repair docking lights
• replace both shaft seals
• add spare shaft seals
• add outlet in guest bathroom
• replace clothes washer
• make new front sunshade
• make new rear sunshade
• repair isenglass zipper
• make new dinghy cover
• make cover for behind TV - cat blocker
• make cover for storage area - cat blocker
• replace windshield wiper
• repair engine room light
• repair/replace cabinet latches (3)
• flush AC units
• add fender holders
• replace fender lines
• waterproof all canvas
• clean all isenglass
• rain-x bridge windshields
• fix rattle on swim ladder
• paint anchor chain - length markers
• buff and wax boat
• hook up X-Box 
• replace toilet seals (2)
• recharge / add stop leak to salon AC - unplanned day before departure
• replace TV - unplanned day before departure
• pressure wash bridge, cockpit and non-skid
• added boat name to the sides of the boat
• add trim tabs on the dinghy
• change engine oil
• altered bed quilts (2)

I am sure that I have forgotten a few things, but you get the idea.  It has been a very busy last few months.  All the fun stuff that most boaters already know. 

We also ordered some spare parts and other things as well.  This is in addition to the normal tools and things we carry.

• 2 new fenders
• 2 new fender balls
• new George Foreman grill - smaller 
• new pots and pans
• spare fresh water pump
• spare engine strainer
• spare engine fuel filters
• spare generator fuel filters
• spare engine raco fuel filters
• spare generator raco fuel filter
• flush out adapter for engines
• flush out adapter for generator and AC
• collapsible wagon
• folding chairs
• portable battery charger
• purchase cruising guides for entire loop and Bahamas (8)
• cabinet organizers
• ironing board and iron
• closet organizers
• new camera - better than our cell phones

Again, probably not a complete list but you get the idea.  I am sure that someone will have additional input on what spare parts I should be carrying.  It really became a space versus need analysis.  There just is not enough room to carry everything.

What is not on the list is all of the provisioning that was done.  Somehow Marcia found room for all the food, beer, water, booze, soda, etc...  We have every drawer, closet, cabinet, engine room and even the bilge utilized with something.  Cannot even count how many trips we made bringing supplies to the boat in the weeks before we left.

So, for those of you that read this all the way through, trust me it was more exhausting actually doing the work and typing all of this than it was for you to read it.