New to salt water

[Momentum M]

Hello guys...I'm planning a trip down south next Winter...Florida, Nassau/Exumas and maybee the Keys.  My boat is still fairly new (2005) so 8 yrs X approx 4 mo/yr in FRESH water = 3yrs.  It's still in very good condition and it's going to be its first taste of salty water.

What I'm looking for is basically what prevention shoud I take to prepare it for the trip.  We'll be gone for approx 8 mo (Sept-April) so what maintenance should I do before leaving (next summer) and when I'll be there to keep it up. 

If you recommend products it would be nice to have the trade mark/name of the product (if you have).

Would you recommend any upgrade to the basic boat?  Any good to know stuff for a newbie?

From Ontario lake, to the Hudson and the Intercoastal will be my route.

Thanks in advance and maybee will cross some of you on my trip.

The best of the season to all of you.

Serge

[Stu Jackson]

Serge,

Sounds like fun.

Dan wrote this about his trip: 

http://www.clrmarine.com/210.html

Spares and prep:

Steve Dolling aka waterdog, did a major trip from British Columbia to Mexico.  His report is here:

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5270.0.html

Before he left, he asked about spares, and combined with his report, you can get some good ideas:

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4590.0.html
and
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5699.0.html

I found a very good log of a couple who sailed to the Bahamas, which includes a very good appendix with tons of information:

http://cblights.com/cruising/SignificantDeviation_ICW-Bahamas.pdf

[Momentum M]

Thanks Stu...I've got lots of reading to do!!

[Footloose]

Serge,

I don't know what you have for bottom paint, but what you are using in cold fresh water may not keep the growth off in warm salt water,

[Ron Hill]

Serge : When you wax the top side gelcoat besure to put a coat of wax on all the stainless - so it stays that way!!

[Momentum M]

Dave..a good point because I'm sure I would have forgot about it....and timely as I'm going to the Toronto Boat show in a couple of weeks so I'll check with the rep...now I had Interprotect done when new and I apply VC-17 when it's needed.

Ron, do I let the wax on just like that or do I polish it?  Any brand in particular?

Thanks you

Serge

[Ron Hill]

Serge : I use a cleaner/wax on the topside gelcoat - McGuires or 3M.
I also use it on the stainless stanchons, pulpit, traveler, dodger/bimini frame, ridged vang etc.  I put it on let it dry and wipe it haze off.