Winter Solstice Brief

The days are cold and the nights colder, but we've turned a seasonal corner and are already thinking ahead to summer cruising.

For the record, here's the tentative 2010 Cruising Plan:

Leg 1: Svineviken to Gdansk via Frederikstad; May 26 – Jun 16 (730 nm)

May 26 Provision Windleblo at Båtvårdsvarvet marina, Svineviken, Orust, Sweden. Conduct safety inspection, perform initial provisioning.

May 27 – 29 Move boat to Hallberg-Rassy harbor in Ellos. Continue systems and safety checks and provisioning.

May 30 – Jun 2 Sail to Frederikstad, Norway. Clear Norwegian Customs.

Jun 3 - 16 Move boat to Gdansk, Poland

Leg 2: The Baltic Countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia); Jun 17 – 30 (600 nm)

Leg 3: Russia; Jul 1 – 7 (50 nm)

Jul 1 – 2 Depart Tallinn, Estonia, for Helsinki, Finland. Secure berth.

July 3 Travel by Sebilius train to St. Petersburg, Russia.

Jul 4 – 6 St. Petersburg.

Jul 7 Return by Sebilius train to Helsinki.

Leg 4: Finnish Archipelago; July 8 – 31 (400 nm)

Jul 8 – 31 Explore Finnish archipelago, southern Gulf of Bothnia, and Åland

Leg 5: Stockholm Archipelago; Aug 1 – 14 (150 nm)

Aug 1 - 14 Sail Stockholm archipelago. Visit Stockholm.

Leg 6: Gota Canal; Aug 15 – Sep 8 (320 nm)

Aug 15 – 17 Sail to Mem, Sweden, at east entrance to Gota Canal

Aug 18 – 31 Gota Canal, including Lake Vattern

Sep 1 – 6 Lake Vanern & Trollhatte Canal

Sep 7 – 8 Goteborg, Sweden

Leg 7: Goteborg to Svineviken; Sep 9 – 14 (60 nm)

Sep 9 – 10 Sail from Goteborg to Ellos

Sep 11 – 13 Prepare boat at Hallberg-Rassy harbor for winter storage

Sep 14 Deliver boat to Båtvårdsvarvet Svineviken marina on Orust Island for winter storage

Plenty of boat-related topics have occupied our thoughts and actions since returning to the Rocky Mountains. Here's a representative sampling:

1. The winter wish list - Procured thus far:
o A North Sails Gennaker and Snuffer
o Two Brompton folding bikes
o A Magma gas grill for the stern rail
o Furuno MaxSea Time Zero Explorer navigation software
o Furuno AIS unit with VHF antenna
o A Lifebuoy and bracket for the stern rail
o Courtesy flags
Still to get:
o PC Laptop for Furuno navigation software
o MacENC navigation software for the MacBook Pro as backup
o Electronic charts - Mapmedia for the Furuno unit and TraverseX for the Mac
o Volvo Penta shop and parts manuals
There's more, but those are some of the major items.

2. 2010 crew - Prospective crew this year include Martin & Dawn, John & Emily, Leon & Lydia, Jon & Audrey, Tina & Oliver, and Philip Dear & friend. The latter two are John's Tufts cohorts. Before too long, we'll need to firm up who's available for what leg.

3. Country logistics - I contacted the Swedish embassy to see if we need to apply for a Swedish residence permit like last year to allow a stay longer than 90 days. Fortunately, we will not be in the "Nordic countries" the entire 90 days, as we are traveling throughout the Baltic. So no special visa is required.

A special single-entry visa is required, however, for our planned visit to St. Petersburg. Today, I sent an initial email to a Mr. Vladimir Ivankiv inquiring about his availability. Garth Simpson of Prince Bio, one of the boats we encountered in Norway last season, kindly referred us to Mr. Ivankiv who had helped them arrange their 2007 visit to St. Petersburg. I'm hopeful Mr. Ivankiv can help us next season.

Proving not so easy is obtaining an International Certificate of Competence recommended in the guide books for cruising the Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The books indicate the captain of a pleasure yacht visiting these countries should hold such a certificate, which is only offered by the British Royal Yacht Club. In looking into the American Sailing Association equivalent, it seems I lack one of the courses needed to qualify even though I have taken all the ASA courses available through my local sailing school. So I may have to travel to earn the credential at another school.

As you can see, lots going on and much remains to be done before we shove off once again for the cruising life. I'll post updates as opportunities arise.