More boat projects ticked off

Something bizarre had happened to our dodger isinglass, I don't know if the boat cleaners got something corrosive on it, or it just failed from UV exposure or what, but it started delaminating.

I tried various polishes for isinglass and other advice from the internet but no joy.

We ran down the street to All Keys Canvas and asked if they could help.  (last time I went there I was met by a very nasty lady that 'didn't work on sailboats'-even though it was a bimini repair).  However, this time we had a great experience, and of course some local color to boot as we got trapped in there for 45 minutes hearing all the latest gossip.

Even though we told him he had a couple of weeks, he got our new panels in--using heavy duty polycarbonate this time--within a few days.  YAY!

We can see!

Our next project got moved up the list after the Cuba trip and trying to navigate the companionway in rough seas.  We had little grip left on the old non-skid.  So, driving along one day I looked over and said-Hey Tim! Look! A new marine woodwork shop!  So later he stopped by and visited our NEW best friend Tom.  He added strips of non-skid made out of crushed walnut shells set in expoxy and lightly varnished.  They grip.  And will last a long time.

He also refinished our lower settee table that got damaged in a freak accident, our cockpit table and some other nicks and bumps.

Caveat Emptor already activated

So, as I was talking to Tim last night he pointed out that the wording for the OFAC general license was different when we flew to Cuba in January.

I checked, and sure enough it was.

I looked further and there was an update to the OFAC general license January 7, 2017.

So, the wording that stated People-to-people contact has been removed and now is stated as 'support for the Cuban people'

That being said, our boat trip fell under the general license guideline of sporting event or exhibition because of the boat parade.

So, let me reiterate--if you are going to CUBA, make sure you due your OWN research.  Make sure your travel can be justified by one of the guidelines stated under the OFAC general license.

Document. Document. Document.  That's not meaning that Uncle Sam is going to ask you for a book report, but you better be able to prove that you went to Cuba for a good reason and spent a majority of your time for that reason. 

Take pictures/write a blog or diary/keep receipts and fliers from the places you visited, get to know the locals and document their stories.

And guess what?  Laying on the beach sipping mojitos is not an acceptable cause.

But in my humble opinion--visiting Cuba is completely worth the extra legwork you have to do to get there.