Ditch Trip guide

CRUISING the INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY.

By Fran & Floyd Mansell.

Sept. l4, 1999 to March 1, 2OOO.

___________________________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION - The "Ditch," as it is affectionately called, is actually a very isolated place. There are few communities along the way. Only every 50 miles or so, and hence very few services. Therefore, you must be self-reliant by cruising with an adequate supply of food. Also have your manuals, tools, engine parts and medication to last. It should be noted that some medication that is available in Canada is not available in the US.

____________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL PREPARATION:

	Insurance - for truck, trailer, boat and personal health.
	First Aid Kit - Splints, prescription drugs to last the trip, and assorted medication such as cough drops, painkillers. Visited the local nurse for required travel vaccinations & first aid info.
	Sun Protection - Cream, hats, canopy or bimini.
	Seasickness - Acu-pressure bands, diet pills (ginger cookies).
	Permits - Truck, boat, coast guard certification.
	Communication - Telephone, cell phone, E-mail, fax, pocket mail and forwarding snail mail.
	Tow - Sea-Tow & Boat US.
	Personal Safety & Protection - Jewelry, camera, drawing attention to yourselves, weapons.

TRUCK & TRAILER PREPARATION:

	Traction - Need tire chains if pulling trailer in winter conditions (or be prepared to drink a lot of coffee at a road side restaurant waiting for better weather!). In a pinch, kitty litter is an excellent source of traction. A shovel can also be handy.
	Hitch - Recommend a load leveler hitch with equalizer bars.
	Tow Vehicle - Check lights, fluids, wheel bearings, brakes, cooling system, etc.

BOAT PREPARATION:

	Parts - Buy everything you can in Canada (COST!!!!).
	Flags - Courtesy flags & Canadian.
	Sails - In good repair, stitching. Which sails are needed along - Spinnaker, Cruising chute.
	Sewage - Holding tanks & disposal.
	Fluids - Fuel & Potable Water.
	Safety equipment - Life harness, jack lines, 2 to 3 anchors (each with a road), extra dock lines /150' to 200,' long line, (stern tie etc.).
	Dinghy - Size, style, engine size, locks for theft consideration, cables etc.

BOAT MAINTENANCE:

	Manual - Have all on board and make sure the phone numbers are up to date, along with web addresses.
	Tools - Voltmeter, digital ammeter, 3-stage battery charger, measuring tape, stuffing box wrenches.
	Batteries - How many, have charging system checked.
	Lighting - Candles, lanterns, 12 volt lights.
	Spare Parts - Ignition, carburetor, belts, filters, water pump, oil, rigging, sail repair.
	Engine - Oil changes & disposal of used oil.

TRIP:

	Accommodations - For the road trip we used truck stops for showers and easy parking. We also used campgrounds.
	Route - Land route we took and why.
	Maps - Purchase cruising guides & Waterway Charts.
	Where we started from.
	Launching the boat.
	Truck and trailer - Storage.
	Water routes - Distance traveled per day.
	Land Transportation - Bicycles, vehicle rentals, and help from others.
	Preparedness - Ready yourself for next departure upon arrival. This way you can leave should an emergency arise.
	Anchorage - Where & how to select (water depth).
	Docking - Fenders and fender boards, free docks, Marinas, Style of Tie-ups.
	Lousy Weather - Hurricanes and unpredictable weather.
	Weather Reports - NOAA, fellow cruisers, local, AM/FM radio, SSB, weather net, GPS.
	Communications - VHF aerial location (to achieve maximum operating range).
	Navigating - Tides & Currents, grounding & errors in judgment.
	Food Storage - Zip lock bags (size) & plastic containers. Bugs on board!!! - (Packaging).
	Garbage - (packaging).
	Laundry - Put soap in zip locks.
	Food - Have 2 to 3 weeks worth of pasta, rice, and canned goods.
	Drinks - Gatorade, juice, pop and bottled water.

DAILY LIFE:

	Cooking - Keep it simple and use the BBQ. Less mess in the cabin.
	Stove Fuel - ?
	Ice & Refrigeration - ?
	Clothing - Dress in Layers for Cold & Protection from the Sun, Sunbusters.
	Bathing - Solar Showers, Marina Showers.
	Guests on Board - Make rules about luggage before your guest boards.