22 March, 2000
Phew, been awhile (again). Since the last log entry, we've had a few adventures, almost none of them boat related. We went to Indian Springs in Calistoga for mud paths, massages and pamperings. We had really, really nice meals at Catahula and the Culinary Institute, and a couple winery stops on the way home. I don't even think we took a single picture.
I've been beating my brains out against the prop shaft coupling, but I guess I'm not stubborn enough. The beast has yet to release its grip on the prop shaft and the transmission is due back real soon. We got a quote on a new "roll bar" for the stern deck and the price came in a bit lower than we had feared, so we are actually fairly relieved. Carsten would like the boat docked next to the metal shop when they do the fabrication, but since the engine is still not firmly re-mounted to the boat and the prop shaft is just laying loose in the shaft log, we'll have to wait until the engine is working again before we can move. Suzy is working feverishly on getting Svendsen's displays ready for Pacific Sail Expo. And I'm trying to nail down some less exciting things that need to be done before we can get out of dodge.
It all boils down to money. It is hard to run a modern financial "life" remotely. I have an IRA account, a brokerage account, checking account(s), credit cards, etc. I'm working on a "special power of attorney" so that someone, either a trusted family member or friend can pay some bills and such while we're gone. The language is pretty simple, but we'll have a lawyer friend review it before we get it notarized. Speaking of lawyers, I've also written up a "durable power of attorney" for Suzy. In case I'm incapicated, Suzy will have the authority to move the boat or otherwise manage it. In some countries, without this document, Suzy would either be unable or need a court order to act since she is not the legal owner of the boat. We're also going to need insurance that will cover our travels outside the US. This is a research project in itself, but the live-aboard mailing list archives has several threads on the topic, at least enough to start a survey. We have yet to figure out what kind of health insurance is reasonable or even possible. My initial thoughts are some sort of "catastrophic" insurance for major illnesses. For everything else we'll use the local infrastructure. Taxes will also be a treat. I called the Assessor's Office of Alameda County and they were quite reasonable. There is not paperwork, per se, but either the harbormaster or I should send a letter to the Assessor's office notifying them that we've vacated the slip and are leaving the county. Otherwise, we'll get dinged for property taxes (year after year after year). I'm working on deploying the web site on a new server (or ISP), maybe at a friend's house. This type of installation is frought with dangers, almost as bad as borrowing money from a friend. Pray.
Copyright © 2000 Ken Mayer