Pepromenon preparations pre Oct 20, 2014 departure

The Adventures of Bob and Carol sailing south on Pepromenon

After many years of planning and preparation we now embark on our first snowbird trip down the ICW to the Florida Keys on our Island Packet 31 sailboat Pepromenon.  We "cut the dock lines" October 20, 2014 early am.
One of our highest priorities was to have a full enclosure to protect us from weather.  Over Labor Day 2013 weekend we worked for 4 full days and built a beautiful enclosure (thanks to Carol's sewing skills).

During the winter haul out of 2013 we had the bottom soda blasted and added now barrier coat and bottom paint to streamline the boat bottom.

Nice new bottom

We installed solar panels and added refrigeration, a new anchor windlass to hoist the new 35# Mantus anchor.  We cut an access hole in the saloon floor for more storage, replaced the engine mixing elbow, replaced the engine motor mounts and did lots of diesel engine tune-up things.  Our to-do list was very lengthy to get Pepromenon in tip top shape.

Carol, in her usual organized way, made lists of all the provisions and supplies we would need.
She methodically recorded all quantities and location of all supplies.

We are looking forward to an adventure of a lifetime, cruising down the ICW to the Florida Keys to escape the cold northern winter and share this experience together as new retirees.