26:05.5N 80:09.54W

During these past two years we have completed a long, long refit project that always takes longer than planned and of course more money.  We did most of the work a Lauderdale Marine Center (LMC) which is located about two miles inland up the New River.  LMC is a huge facility, one of the largest boatyards in the USA.  It is packed with mega yachts and smaller sailboats.  They can lift out yachts up to about 200 feet and place them into huge sheds for repair work.  Our sailboat could not fit into any shed because of the mast height (80 feet) so most work was performed outside.

The entire hull was repainted since the gelcoat had lost its luster and was too thin to wet sand back to a bright shine.  Based on the environmental regs the entire boat was scaffold and tented to reduce air emissions and also to keep dust off the paint.

All the navigation equipment was changed from Raymarine, which was getting old and not supported, to B&G.  Radar is now broadband, chartplotters are larger, Maretron tank monitoring added, TV replaced with new digital, galvanic isolator added to shorepower, wiring changed to accept 220 volt / 60 hertz USA power via inverter and anchor controls changed.

On deck we decided to add a hardtop instead of replacing the Bimini with new canvas.  We found that we almost never took down the Bimini when cruising and it got very hot under it in the tropical sun.  So now there is a new fiberglass hardtop with ceiling lights, thicker Stratoglass dodger (windscreen) and Stamoid side curtains for sun and rain protection.

All sails were replaced with a new custom set from Doyle Offshore.  Additionally we added a staysail for heavier weather sailing.  Nance and Underwood did the rigging upgrade and supplied the ropes.  Now we have a lighter genoa sail for light winds and a stronger staysail for the heavier winds.

The CQR anchor was replaced with a heavier Rocnor to better anchor with shorter rodes in the Bahamas.  Also the CQR was just plain poor at setting in harder sand bottoms.

The liferaft was upgraded to a better Winslow Offshore raft and life vests were replaced with newer Mustang inflatables that meet US Coast Guard requirements.

For fun we have added a Brownies snorkeling hooka rig that allows you dive down for up to an hour.  Should be fun in the islands.

Now we are ready to head out to the Bahamas for a couple of months.  It surprises me how close the nearest island, Bimini, is from Florida.  Its only 48 miles east of Miami.