Gettin Ready to Go

    

The winds are beginning to turn around to the South, and it's nearly time to cross the Gulf Stream and go to the Bahamas.  For some time now we have been thinking about when we actually want to go to the Bahamas.  Part of the decision depended on if we have everything that we need (food, water, spare parts, working electronics), and the other half of the decision depends on weather.  We've been waiting for those nice southerly winds to cross the gulf stream.  With any winds from the North that are opposing the current of the gulf stream, the crossing can be difficult, the seas can be high and rough, and at times dangerous.  So we wait on weather.  According to our current forecast's we should have the weather we want at the end of this week, and we will be on our way. 

In the midst of our preparations we have loaded the boat with groceries.  Although food will be available in the Abacos, we have been warned that prices can be ridiculously high.  So we've bought as many non-perishables as we can.  We have flour, cornmeal, pasta, pasta sauce, dried beans, chips, soup mix, beer, rum and wine.  We plan to supplement our supply with some fresh vegetables (given we can find them). 

After a few days of work, IB re-grounded the SSB Radio and it is now working.  We have subscribed to Chris Parker weather, and have been checking in with him in planning our weather window.

After much debate about the performance of our dingy in the islands, we made the decision to upgrade.  Just to look at the new dingy, it's hard to tell that it was that much of an upgrade, but riding in it, the difference is obvious.  We bought an Achilles, with high pressure inflatable floor and inflatable keel.  It's about a foot longer than our old one, which makes hauling our bikes or friends much easier.  We also upgraded to an 8hp motor from our 2hp.  The motor makes all the difference in the world.  From barely moving to going somewhere.   We'll have much more confidence that we can go out to a reef to snorkel and make it back to the boat.

All that is left to do is pack the ditch bag, fill up the diesel tanks and wait on weather.