Bought Joy in Jun, 2021 in Palmetto, FL and moved it out of Florida to dodge sales tax. Put her up at St Mary's Boat Services in GA, just north of Fernandina Beach (FL). Had some work done by good tradesmen at St. Mary's to work the bottom smooth and complete our solar install.
Returned to Joy in December, 2021; slashed in early Jan and proceeded south. Picked up friend Jeff Gillard in West Palm, cruised Biscayne Bay with him while Kathleen made a quick trip to WI to see her mom. and continued through the Keys, spending about a month in Marathon/Boot Key Harbor. Made a couple of great cruising friends and crossed the Gulf Stream to Bimini with Don and Gwen on Tackless II. Spent 3 months in the Bahamas and hosted Liz for about 10 days in the Exumas in late February/early March. Had homed to host Andy as well, but his visit was postponed because of a family tragic emergency.
Back to St. Mary's successfully where we have had new big, expensive batteries installed; autopilot repairs done (although not fully tested yet); transmission work done and more bottom smoothing.
Meanwhile we have been back in Phoenix for June/July and got caught up on home/insurance/medical details that had been back-burnered while enjoying the Bahamas. Kathleen has done some beautiful canvas work to improve our cockpit comfort and I have been planning for our next voyage.
The next voyage will start sometime in August with north-buond routes to fall foliage and seaside beauty. Not sure how far or how long,but will certainly involve the ICW through GA, SC, NC, VA and MD. May store the boat in VA or MD to stage for a spring/summer cruise to New York/New England.
