Prepping for Offshore Passage

NOTE 11-22-13 This posting was started when we arrived in Morehead City NC and I continued to add to it as we worked through our offshore prep list.  I didn't have a chance to post it before we left NC so I am posting now.

Several people were surprised when we said we would be here in Morehead City NC for 4 weeks getting the boat ready for offshore.  "What else do you have to do?"  Conditions on an ocean passage can be very different than ICW travel or even coastal cruising.  We hope to pick a good weather window that will last and give us a great passage.  However, we have to be prepared in case we have less than perfect weather somewhere along the line.

Installing the port lee cloth.  We had previously installed the starboard one but never needed the port side since it was just the two of us before.  For those that don't know, lee clothes keep you in your bunk when the boat is heeling over - think tilting.

lee cloth installation

Tom installed stainless steel toggles that we had Bill make up when we were in Brunswick GA.  These toggles will keep the various hatch covers in place in the event we have really rough seas, a knockdown or....gulp....get rolled. 

Closed or locked

Without these, the items stowed can come flying out damaging the boat and possibly injuring or killing someone in the process.  Example -  Tom's tools, spare parts (alternator) or canned goods.

Open for quick access to tools or whatever

Securing the Sailrite sewing machine took special consideration.  At 62+ lbs, it could seriously wound a person and the boat in the event of a knockdown or roll.

tied down for passage

Tom ordered a 4 person Viking life raft.  It finally arrived - 3 days lost in shipping across the country.  Argh!  A life raft is a very personal decision.  While some say "D-uh, it may save your life.  You HAVE to have one!" 

4 man Viking life raft

It's not that easy.  First they are very, very, very expensive.  You can buy a life raft or you can buy a first time driving teenager a used car.  Well... given inflation....maybe not quite but almost....still big boat bucks for something you hope to never, ever use...something that will just sit for three years. 

Temp install so we aren't tripping over it

Second, after three years you have to pay $$ to have it checked and re-certified so it can sit again.  And unlike that piece of exercise equipment that is sitting in your bedroom, this will not double as a place to pile our clothes.  We have to find a place and a way to stow it securely but so we can get to it quickly in an emergency.  Some people chose not to carry a life raft.  They may not feel the need based on the type of sailing they do.  As I said, it a personal choice - no right or wrong.  Anyway.....we now have one.   

Ditch bag

Prepping the ditch bag.  Our fabulous sailing friends Kim and Tim gave us a terrific ditch bag when we bought s/v Honey Ryder.  It came with some good basics.  I have added quite a bit to it; 
signal mirror, Garmin 48 (permanent home in this bag - even though it's old, it will still show lat and long), blunt end knife, flashlight, 2 space blankets, whistle, medical kit, flares, powerbars, binocs and aquasocks.  Before casting off, I will be adding;   our passports, wallets, ships papers and other personal papers, water and a few other items.  If we should need to "ditch" then we would be adding the Garmin 76, Sat phone, Eprib, waterproof flare container, and handheld vhf.

Securing our new jerry jugs.  Even though we carry 200 diesel and 200 water, we still need the capability to port both.  We may be in a location that doesn't actually have a fuel dock that we can pull up to with s/v Honey Ryder.  Additionally we may need to filter the fuel first.  The further we venture over the horizon, the more suspect the fuel quality may be.  We will also have a jerry jug for dinghy gas. 

I ordered a Galley Belt sometime ago.  Tom has been searching for just the right way to install it and the best way to do that.  He got that completed on our way up the ICW and it works great. 

Galley belt

Strapped in and ready to cook

"Hey cabin dude, make me some pancakes!"

Navigating the confusion world of satellite phones - think back 10 years of so ago when cell phones and plans were confusing as hell and expensive- that is what it's been like trying to figure out satellite phone options and plans...at least for me.  Now that we have it the learning curve has switched to learning to use it with the laptop.  OMG - Do you remember the days of dial up....wait, wait, wait, wait...plus learning to downloading GRIB (weather) files and sending position reports via email using the sat phone and laptop.

Dumbing down Tom's phone.  He is going from an old iPhone (Thank you Tim) back to an old (but good) Samsung flip phone.  Gasp!  NOT any easy process.  The currently cell phone companies are set up to upgrade and sell you more.  They really don't know how to step someone down from services.  It took Tom over 4 hours and multiple phone calls and one in store stop to get it completed.  The idea going forward is to buy a local SIM card with minutes and use it locally.  The goal is to use it very little.  

Snacks....yum!

Gear hammocks up in place, secure and loaded with goods - snacks, veggies, fruits, bread, crackers...

Making room for crew. As I have mentioned before stowing everything for being underway is very different than stowing everything when moving aboard.  And so....stowing for a serious passage is very, very different than the other two.  Besides making room for our crew John, we must ensure things will stay put even in extreme conditions AND not rattle or bang around.  We can't have the crew going nutty because of constant rattles while underway.  This includes below deck, above deck, in The hole...everywhere on the boat.

Provisioning.  Besides food, we are stocking up on some basic items for use while we are in the islands.  We have been told by seasoned cruisers that basics like paper towels, TP, cleaners, etc.. are much more expensive so we are taking extra.

Watching the weather, watching the weather, watching the weather.....trying to figure out (best guess) what it is going to do.  Luckily, Chris Parker is doing the weather routing for the rally so that will help but ultimately it's up to us.  Additionally, I continue to listen to the SSB and various nets to get information. I have been very partial to my GRIB app on the iPad or a quick download of GRIB from Passagemaker, so I had to learn to download GRIP files via sat phone internet.  Not that big of a deal but something new and different that is taking a bit of time to get the swing of.    

Updating chartplotters, plotting the course, reviewing routes and Gulf Stream position and currents.

Duct tape on forward hatches

Stowing dinghy on deck - securely!  Thank you Galen for showing Tom the best way to stow the dinghy for passage!!

Deflated dinghy secured, jacklines run, stay sail in place, jerry jug board ready

Wrapping up all things stateside - insurance, health insurance, banking, bills, etc... 

Standing rigging checked
Running rigging checked
Deck hardware checked
Preventer rigged
Staysail checked
Staysail storm sail checked
Extra headsail stored
Spinnaker stored but ready for action
New LED nav lights installed
Jacklines rigged
Review of all safety gear
Check of all batteries - flashlights, headlamps, personal flashing stobes, etc....
Charging of all electronics
Wind vane on top the mast replaced
Duct tape forward hatches to prevent leaks - hopefully

etc....