“In the Vortex” It Is

The boat is registered!  In Canada, that is.  We were not able to get “the Vortex” so we’re calling her “In the Vortex”.  It’s official.

She has also been moved into her semi-permanent home at Point Loma Marina, slip # 304.  Thanks to Tom for moving her for us.  As it turns out, we don’t have to move her to Mexico after all.  Well, not until May 22 anyway.  Our broker was able to get in touch with the authorities and by providing proof of deletion from the US registry, we can get away without paying the US Personal Property taxes. 

We’re leaving Toronto on Jan 10^th, but there’s lots to do in the meantime.  We’ve wired money down to Tom and he’ll start the ball rolling on getting all the survey findings addressed.  He’ll also get the rigging replaced for the mainsail and foresail.  We don’t like the wire lines.  Too hard on the hands, and they don’t move smoothly.  It will require a new winch.  The winch is $1200, but Tom was able to get us a discount so we’re only paying $800.  If all goes well, she’ll be ready when we get there.

We’ve also found a tenant for the upstairs of the house.  And a home for Archie, one of the cats.  Still need to find a home for Piggy.

We’ve already made plans for our first return.  We’ll be coming back to Toronto near the end of April and will return to San Diego on May 9, just prior to our big departure.

Its hard to know what to take with us and what to leave.  We’re not going to take our winter coats, boots and gloves, etc.  But it can get cool in San Diego this time of year, so we’ll need some warmer clothes.  However, once we leave in May, we won’t be needing them, so we’ll probably bring the warmer stuff home in April.  And there is no Loblaws in the US!  So, we’ll have to stock up on all those President’s Choice products we love so much.  We’ve just purchased a roof rack on Ebay.  We can only take what fits in or on the car.  At this point, we really have no idea how much free space in on board.  There is a possibility that we won’t be able to fit everything we’re taking.  That means we have to be careful when deciding what goes and what stays.

We’ll be selling the car when we return in April.  I’d love to keep it and take it with us, but it just won’t fit on the boat.  No way, no how.  What a shame, I love that car.  Oh well.

There won’t be many updates now until we get to San Diego.  If there is news, we’ll write it up here, but if it gets quiet, we’re probably on our way. 

Its all coming together.