Ready To Go

     After a good time at the SSCA (Seven Seas Cruisers Association) Annapolis Gam Weekend, it's time to go. We met a few friends, and made some new ones. We found a good deal on some used stuff at the SSCA flea market and learned a few things at the mini-sessions. Stacie got a few good shots and they've been shared on the Lasata Facebook page. 

     I've plotted the first few hours of our trip for tomorrow, and am looking forward to making Norfolk VA as soon as possible. The weather forecast is favorable, and we have new sails and plenty of fuel. The only decision at this hour is whether to go straight to Norfolk / Hampton VA or make our way into the small anchorage at Solomons to meat up with a few cruisers we met today. 

     We'll be turning the Spot Tracker on in the morning, so stay tuned, we'll be updating soon. 

Almost ready again

We had such a great time of it last year, we're doing it again. 
The time spent going south last year was a comprehensive mix of many emotions and experiences. Slightly bored at times, slightly lost at times, completely tired at times, miserably cold at times, completely content many times, awestruck by the sights (both good and bad) at other times, and all the time learning. The experience was wonderful, and we're doing it again this year; differently! 

First of all, I'll say that everyone going south for the winter by boat should try the ICW at least once in each direction. That said, I'll probably choose to take coastal hops of 24 to 36 hours at a time going forward. Our tentative schedule this year is to meet up at the SSCA Gam near Annapolis the last few days of September, then head off and be in Florida before November 15th. 

The following is a rough idea of the days we'll be on the move. Remember we'll be using a Spot Communicator for those of you who have the URL. If interested drop me a note or make a comment here on the blog and I'll get the link out to you. 
Schedule: 

• Sep 29 - Leave South River for Reedville or Deltaville Virginia. 
• Oct  01 - Leave Reedville or Deltaville Virginia for Portsmouth Virginia. 
• Oct  04 - Leave Portsmouth Virginia for Grandy North Carolina via the Virginia Cut.
• Oct  05 - Leave Grandy North Carolina for Dowry Creek North Carolina. 
• Oct  06 - Leave Dowry Creek North Carolina for Oriental North Carolina. 
• Oct  07 - Leave Oriental North Carolina for Beaufort North Carolina (spend the week).
• Oct  19 - Leave Beaufort North Carolina for Charleston South Carolina (anchor a couple days) 
• Oct  24 - Leave Charleston South Carolina for Amelia Island Florida (City Marina for a few days)
• Oct  30 - Leave Amelia Island Florida for Lake Worth or Ft Lauderdale (arrive Nov 4th for the season). 

** Like I said before, this schedule is subject to change at anytime**

A few new things / boat maintenance

So what have we been doing since returning from our trip? Well we got back to the Chesapeake Bay and spent July 4th weekend at Lasata's summer home Scuttle Butt marina, Cobb Island. 

We had a couple improvement projects in mind for for our trip south this year: 
- New Cabin Sole, deck.

- New Remote mic for the VHF (Newer model VHF for better AIS)

- New Para Anchor (WWII style direct from 1943) with cool RIT Deployment bag. 

- New 150% Genoa. 
- Added ventilation.