If you are new to the Cesari blog, welcome, and if you are a returning friend, welcome back. However you found your way here, it is good to have you on board, and hoping you enjoy the journey.  A:)U(:RORA                                                         

It has been 7 long/short months, depending on your perspective, since signing off in August from our east coast adventure.  After the last post, plans formalized to attempt, all things considered, a trip to the Abacos, Bahamas in April 2013.  So what, you ask is considered in preparing body, mind, and boat, plus the house, for a two-month cruise, and how is this trip different from staying stateside?    

Two Things Considered….

Mind…gathering information: “Bahama Bound” par excellence course by Steve and Nancy Johnson who navigated us through much food for thought on topics including, but not limited to, communications (including radios, phone, Internet, weather info) customs, web resources, best Apps, charts, routes, insurance, pets, firearms, anchorages, marinas, island highlights and how to avoid hazards in between.

Boat...making sure Aurora's systems are seaworthy:  overheating engine in December-January, after multiple attempts at repairs, replaced cracked engine head; upgraded chart plotter (computer maps of the water), radar, and thereby all computer systems attached; multiple trips up the mast to replace the radio antennae and radar dome; sent off malfunctioning autopilot (cruise control) computer in on Mar. 22, and praying that it is returned functional by April 5; installed new AM/FM radio with XM radio; replaced dodger windows; new dinghy chaps; multiple calls and dollars to Dave W. our “go to” guy for making sure all systems are a “go.”  Plus many, many other misc repairs/upgrades by captain too boring to mention, and time consuming to explain.

10 days to Departure  Thanks for following; we will try to post a few times before we leave PGI.