The ICW was fairly narrow compared to the open bay.  There was enough room for boats to come and go in each direction.  However, there wasn’t much extra room.  Jet skiers and small motor boats sped through the larger boats, making it a little nerve-wracking.  As soon as we entered, I started preparing the fenders for docking the boat.  Steve navigated the two bridges, pausing steady until they opened and we were able to pass.  I wasn’t able to look around much, but I do remember large, beautiful, modern homes lining the ICW.  There were also a lot of large, multi-million dollar boats docked along the sides of the ICW. 

Steve navigated the channels and found the private dock where we were going to tie up.  Luckily the owner of the house was home and was able to help us secure the lines. 

We were able to hook up to the electricity on the dock and use the water.  So, just like every other dock we pull into, we cleaned the boat and prepared it for sitting in the hot, humid weather.  For Steve, this means caring for the engines and water-maker.  For me, it means cleaning and wiping everything down with vinegar and water to try to prevent mold and mildew from growing.

In Fort Lauderdale we were not able to stay on the boat.  So, we booked a hotel near the airport and commuted back and forth to the boat to complete our chores.  On Saturday, February 15, our broker had a couple scheduled to look at the boat.  So, we had a day and a half to get the boat into viewing condition.  I used oxalic acid to clean the outside of the boat, which makes the fiberglass look a beautiful white color.  I then finished polishing some stainless steel to make it shine.  And, I used Soft Scrub to buff out the scuff marks.  The boat looked pretty nice.  And, we put our cushions out on the outdoor saloon, making the whole area look inviting.  The other thing we did was take our personal belongings off of the boat.  We had five years’ worth of belongings so this wasn’t a small task. 

Back at the hotel I washed the sheets and towels that we planned to leave on the boat.  Then, I put them back in place the next morning.