Are you launching this year?

[S/V AMITY]

Not a tough decision for Amity.  With all the "social distancing" and so many restrictions we're staying on the hard.  Upside is we'll be able to compress all the multi-year repair/upgrade projects into this one summer.  New water heater, re-core deck under the windlass & bowsprit base, refinish everything in the cabin, re-bed deck fittings, replace fwd. sprit railing, re-bung & refinish & all teak on deck... and on and on.  Will miss sailing & sundowners with cruising friends. 

What are your plans for this season?

[SV Alfresco]

I plan on staying on the hard too. We live 100 miles away from the boat. The boatyard just opened up but have to be out of there at 4:30 every day. When things open up a little and hopefully less people at the boatyard, it will be better. Maybe take a week or two off and rent an RV to stay in. Right now, out-of-staters have to leave Rhode Island at night. I'm in the process of replacing all the fresh water lines and faucets. I bought a windlass and will put that on the list. Also I will be sewing a new dodger. Did the bimini last year.

Mike

[Jordan]

Absolutely!! Or rather, I haven't hauled her out; bought her in the water, and she will remain there for a few months at least in the Marina. This whole pandemic seems to have made my employer much more open to remote work. I don't know if it will work out, but we may wind up sailing through Okeechobee (if I have clearance, I haven't checked) or around the keys, and head over to Mexico. There are some spots there we'd like to anchor while I'm still working. Granted, I'm really good at what I do, and if I can pull it off, I'll probably take a 60% pay cut in order to work a day a week or something. Obviously, I have to finish my electrical upgrade so that I can work on the hook (it's in progress), but internet is the only limit I can foresee right now. I might even procrastinate long enough to get starlink before I even set out.

I find myself almost mourning the loss of what cruising used to look like.

[SVJourney]

@jordan
Don't mourn too much, it might be that cruising will be even better if cruise ships stop running and Islanders once again welcome us.

Minimum for Okeechobee is lake level of 11 feet for a 365's draft.  I believe we just squeak under the bridges so you probably want to check that as well.  I have made it under a 45ft bridge, but the VHF antenna did not survive.  (learn from my fail  )

Wayne

[Jordan]

I think the notes said an air draft of 47', but I haven't actually measured yet. And honestly, I didn't get a boat to go deeper into Florida.

That's if she freaks out or other things come up. Very much a last resort. But it could cut some time off. My plan is to try to convince her to go with a more roundabout trip. Bahamas, Cuba, and maybe more.

We've got a lease on this slip through December for a really good price, so chances are we are staying at the marina and day sailing until then.