Staying organized

I feel like I really have to stay on top of things with this new boat to make it all work out.  And doing it while involving but not overwhelming Kate who is going along with all this lifestyle adjustment, which nearly amounts to having a new member in the family, but Kate is interested in different priorities (relationships, living simply and structure for the kids).  The fairy-tale ending is still pending and I can still screw things up.  
Paul Exner has been advising me on refit priorities which is great because he and I spent time at sea together so I trust him and he knows me.  At this point I am having Morris do the cutlass bearing, change from shaft seal to stuffing box, engine mounts (just need paint), rudder stuffing box, service the steering and install t-terminals on the mast for running backs (at the advice of Mike Meer).  I have been talking to Eric and Yves at Cape Horn about a windvane, but just put that project on hold until I actually start going to the boat.  I am thinking about going the sat phone route rather than the SSB.  (I do have a ground imbedded in the hull that Morris assures me is good in case I decide on SSB.)  There is a list of work I am hoping to get done myself.  My list, alongside costs, is on an Excel document with a running total that is about $30K for the year so far.  Since I am planning on cutting back at work, I need to be careful with finances.
I’ll be out there for a week every month before the Carib1500, from May to November. Hopefully I will be able to find some exotic places in Maine to anchor and do boat work.  It feels like this all requires detailed attention to get organized and negotiated, though the boat is basically is great shape.  I will have it in Annapolis mid-September to mid-October and I was thinking I should save some work for people there as that might help defray dockage costs.  I have no idea what I am going to do with her after we reach Tortolla.  And I think we are going with a new name, yet to be determined.

Photo on mooring in Bass Harbor, Maine

This picture was taken by the previous owner

Windvane

I am giving some thought to putting off the windvane until I actually get to the boat.  I would be passing up on the 10% discount they offered for ordering now.  I would also possibly put myself in the position of not getting it done before the Carib 1500.  I think I would buy myself piece of mind.  Last night I got to thinking that I should be nervous (which I wasn’t) about making changes that altered the boat before I actually have taken possession of the boat.  I am excited to own this boat, but I do not yet feel the affection for this boat that I feel to Captive Heart, my J/27.  I think when a person loves a boat, that person will make the best decisions for a boat.  I need to fall in love with this boat before I start making these decisions.  It will be cool to be able to do things like measure the stern wave at various speeds and sailing angles and to be more a pat of the process in getting this right.  I am fine leaving periodic maintenance, esp for things in which I have little expertise, to the service yard, but I would like to be more involved in designing and installing sailing stuff like the windvane.  Hopefully I can make it one of my first projects so that I get a chance to practice and adjust if necessary.  I will keep it in the budget.