The time from the completion of the purchase to first launch day was filled with activity: arranging for transport, arranging for dry storage, applying for documentation, buying stuff - oh, yes, buying stuff! There were hundreds of things we wanted to buy, but a few things were considered essential. First of all, an autopilot. I want to be able to single-hand and I consider a good autopilot essential for a single-hander. Without it, the sailor is tied to the wheel - even in a long keep boat that tracks well like the CD36. With an autopilot, the single-hander can manage anything that can be managed with a crew - just a lot more slowly.

The next essential purchase was comfortable combination PFD/safety harnesses. We bought three. These things are no good if you don't wear them, and no one wants to wear them if they are not comfortable. Furthermore, if I had to choose between a PFD or a safety harness, I would choose the harness. I don't want to go overboard at all, especially when single-handing. (And if I go overboard single-handing, I'm not sure I want to float! Fortunately sharks aren't a concern in Lake Michigan, but exposure is.)

The next essential purchase was a good GPS unit. We didn't need a big fancy machine, but we did want a mapping unit. Transferring lat/long to a chart all the time is not fun and it's not efficient. We bought a Garmin GPS 176C. We can mount it at the nav station and also at the helm.

When the winter weather began to clear a little, we got under the tarp and starting working on her interior.