3 weeks till launch

Launch is in 3 weeks and snow is still on the ground. I can’t believe we’ll have the boat in the water so soon. She’s been all wrapped up for the winter and we want to get her looking her best. There’s a number of things we must do before we put her in the water, but more about that later.

With launch so close, that means our departure date is quickly approaching – September 3. That’s only in 166 days! Yikes! You have to imagine there is so much to do when you prepare to leave home for 2 years. This morning, I booked our last dentist appointment, just before we set sail. Tomorrow, we will pay a visit to a Travel Clinic to start a series of vaccinations we’ll need while we’re away.

Over the winter, we’ve been sewing canvas covers for different parts of Amanzi. With the sun being so strong in the Caribbean, the canvas covers help protect the woodwork from Ultra Violet deterioration. We also have to think of protecting ourselves from the sun and wind. Our current sewing project is making weather clothes that we attach to the lifelines. The clothes will help enclose the cockpit of the boat to protect us from the wind. The lifelines are wire railings that go around each side of the boat.

Maybe you’re wondering who I’m talking about when I say “she” and “her”. There’s a tradition amongst sailors that all boats are lovingly referred to as females. I like that tradition. So, when I write about Amanzi, I’ll stay with the tradition.

Kim