After spending the past few years in Florida for the winters and either Maine or Cape Cod Massachusetts for the summers we’ve done our best to chase the pleasant weather.  We don’t always succeed but the effort is there.  This year we have a different idea.

It may seem absolutely crazy but we’ve just sent off a note to ask if there is room for us this winter, in the water, at DiMillo’s Marina in downtown Portland Maine.  They offer in the water space from October 15th till May 15th and there are always a few who brave the ice and snow.  If they say yes then we will be one of the brave few.  Or perhaps the crazy few.

Boats in New England either on “the hard” or in the water are usually “shrink wrapped” to both keep them a bit warmer and to keep the snow from accumulating.  Inside the effect is greenhouse like.  But it’s still frighteningly cold and some give up before the winter is done.

This has been on my “bucket list” for a while, either Portland Maine or Boston Massachusetts.  SO why Portland?  The short answer is that it’s closer to family who can bail us out if it gets too hard, it’s our home port, and it will also offer Ryan one last chance to find a place of his own in Portland.

There will certainly be some prep work to make it both safe and comfortable.  We’ll need to insulate the two cabins, get a new fancy heater, and change our winter project list.

If the marina says yes we will probably not do the new sail this winter and instead I’ll sew up the current sail we have and we’ll figure out a convenient time to do the new sail.  Perhaps next spring before we move out or perhaps even next winter.  We’ll finally do our hot water thermostat so we don’t burn ourselves in the shower since tied up with shore power we’ll have hot water on tap.  I’m also thinking that we may have time to do the solar upgrade before we get wrapped in plastic instead of waiting till mid winter.  And since we’ll be limited to inside projects it might be time to have all the cushions redone.

And I can get started on a remodel in the main cabin and the head where I’ll start with pealing back to the hull in the cabinets and on the bookshelves and get those insulated which will help with condensation.

While I won’t want to do any varnishing while we’re tight as a bug in a rug, we could certainly get some sanding done and have the work done for when we open in the spring.

It’s a different plan of work than we were already thinking but to be blunt I think Ryan is “done” with cruising.  If we park the boat in one spot for six months then he can work and save up $12,000 which should be more than enough for him to find a place and get established on his own.  Although he has mentioned buying a boat and living aboard which I’d find ironic and funny.

And there are also places for Liam to work the winter away doing boat work.  He’s still unsure if he wants to be a marine technician who also has his captains license or if he wants to be a captain who is also a certified technician.  This could give him more of a chance to explore the work and know which he wants to focus on.

And I’m easy.  As long as I’m sleeping on the water at night and have a nearby cafe to do my university work I’m good.

Plus it will make things like drivers license renewal and dental work catch up that much easier.

But it will be cold.  And damp. And dark.

Wish us luck as we wait to hear back from the marina on if there is room and what the requirements are.