The sailing season of 2020 is coming in sight. Preparations of the boat have commenced. Plans for the summer have started to take form. Even though the COVID-19 virus is setting some sort of “maybe” mode on the 2020 sailing seasons possibilities, it is always fun to go through the possibilities ahead. From behind the desk I have looked into possible routes to sail down south. Amazing, today you can virtually go through any sailing trades and from behind your computer learn the layout of sluices, bridges, shallows and other obstacles that may come in your way. By looking at the sailing video blogs of others, who have made the journey, you can plan how to take an obstacle or how not to do things.
Thinking about the early explorers and their very basic means of navigation, today things seem quite simple. With AIS, plotters, radar, pilot charts, great weather forecasts and so on, you are a fool if things go wrong because of unpreparedness. Still, I am one of those safe sailors that never take things for granted. Always be prepared for the worst, and things will often be easier than you anticipated. The other way around is much less fun, once things go sour.
The first challenge of planning is to find the right sources of information. It is not always possible to prepare for everything. But looking through the lenses of other sailors is fun, and gives a reasonable impression of what is waiting. Here, the floor is scattered with charts, books, and equipment that needs fixing or general maintenance. In short, I am having fun preparing.