Prep for DelMarVA

OUTFITTING FOR THE DELMARVA LOOP

Planning for a 9 day trip on Iolair around the DelMarVa peninsula was an involved process.  We needed to upgrade a few systems on the boat,  prep our food, and complete an itinerary based on weather and wind. 

Things to do on the boat:

• Learn how to use the radar.  Iolair is equipped with an older analog 30 mile radar. The CRT screen works fine. The radar works completely independently of the rest of the equipment.  With several hours and reference book, we will get the basics down.
• Ensure the AIS data is being received by MACEnc.  This mapping software is found on our new MacBook Air.  MACEnc uses our GPS and AIS data to show our both along with all the other commercial vessels on a single marine map. 
• The autopilot is disconnected. The coupling on the ram has come off the steering wheel.  Reattaching it was easy, but I overtightened the nut....more on that later. 
• Flushed the freshwater system and added a small amount of bleach to each tank
• Run Jack lines along each side of the boat
• Purchase another offshore life vest with an integrated harness
• Purchased 3 tethers for the lifevests.  At night, everyone outside of the boat's cabin, must be tethered into a secure point on the boat.  Anyone leaving the cockpit must use a double tether to ensure they are always tethered into the jack line.  NO ONE goes overboard.

Making sure we eat:

• Kelly and I developed a flexible plan for eating and drinking. We planned to have 2 to 3 dinners out, but also knew we needed meals for underway.  
• We prepped and cooked 2 one pot meals, Moroccan chicken, and a chicken pasta dish.  The 1-pot ready meals were used when underway.  They simple go into a pot on the stove. 
• We froze all the meats and dishes.
• Eggs, pancakes, yogurts, fruit for breakfast, and italian lattes
• Sandwiches, PBJ's, and grilled sausages for lunch
• Pita chips, hummus, tatziki, cheese and crackers for happy hour
• Kelly's chocolate chip cookies, brownies
• Plenty of bottled water, sodas, Radler (beer and lemonade mixed), drink mix.....though dock water always seems to add a unique flavor