Dave has been working on several major projects this winter to prepare Pas de Deux for more extended bluewater cruising away from the Chesapeake Bay.
After the loss of one rudder in late October last year, Dave had two new rudders fabricated (re-using the existing stocks) that our friend John (who has diving gear) will help him install in March . 
After we settled into our new marina for the winter, we removed the mainsail from Pas de Deux to facilitate having a new one fabricated. The removed sail was the original Dacron mainsail pretty much at the end of its useful life.  The sail is completed and in storage at Annapolis, awaiting our arrival in the spring when it will be installed. 
The Code 0 sail project has been ongoing for months now-a delay in obtaining the sail material has led the manufacturer to "upgrade" our material specification to a better material currently available. We expect the construction of the sail to be completed by spring and look forward to installing it with roller furler hardware onto the new bowsprit we had fabricated and installed last year. 
Another Catana catamaran owner sold Dave his largely unused spinnaker because it was constructed for our model (47 ft) but had been sold with his 43 ft vessel and he found it too unwieldy. We love sailing under the spinnaker so much, and since it can be a somewhat fragile sail we are happy to have a spare backup. 
Dave has contracted some significant rigging work that should reliably set us up for the next ten years of bluewater cruising. This will include replacing the side shrouds, replacing the diamond rods, replacing the pelican striker wire, and possibly replacing the forestay. 
We will be replacing the main halyard with a line less susceptible to "hackles" and use the current halyard line as the halyard for the new Code 0. 
Dave will service the spinlocks and replace worn jaws. This project will involve cutting an access hole which will then be covered by removable plates for ease of future access. 
Prior to bluewater cruising this year, we will install upgraded electronics equipment. Two Furuno chart plotters, one mounted at the helm and the other at the interior nav station, will replace our basic installed Furuno GPS along with our portable handheld Garmin GPS capabilities. We will shorten a bit the throttle/shifter handles at the helm to mount the chart plotter in what will be the most ideal position for us without obstructing our line of sight. We will also rearrange the location of the autopilot control head and anchor windlass switch at that helm in order to make all of this possible. Our existing Furuno radar will be upgraded to a 4kw digital radar that, given its larger size, will be mounted to our spreader. We will have AIS-B (radar-like) capability for locating and identifying commercial ships at sea; the newest "B" version will allow those ships (even more importantly) to locate and identify us. 
We have replaced our VHF radio with a DSC-enabled VHF radio which will automate within its radius a distress call as well as broadcast our GPS location in an emergency. We will be installing access point and antenna components to enable wi-fi connections. Donna has acquired a laptop for communications and Dave will acquire one later this year for use with navigation software. We will be testing our Pactor-II modem for data communications via SSB/Ham radio and will be considering upgrading to Pactor-III. We will subscribe to voice services for our Inmarsat Mini-M satellite telephone. At this time, we will not be deploying the Inmarsat-C satellite data communications equipment we have onboard. 
We will put the Spectra water maker into service in anticipation of longer passages. We may be replacing the membrane depending on its condition as the unit has not been in use for years. We will also add another in-line water cartridge filter and housing at the galley sink. 
We will be replacing three of our salon windows (those that are most severely crazed). We expect to re-bed the others to improve their watertight seals. 
Dave purchased a new LED Anchor and Tri-color light that he will install at the top of the mast when we unstep the mast for the other rigging work.
We purchased four auto-inflating PDFs for additional safety, particularly on overnight passages. 
We will have the life raft re-certified and replace the battery in the EPIRB. 
We will re-tension the trampoline, which is needed after its first season of use. 
Dave will replace the port head pump. We may consider an upgrade to a different, possibly more reliable, model. 
We will be treating the bimini fabric with water repellant. 
We will replace the propane hose/connection to its regulator. Dave gets to clean the grill for a new season! 
We will replace the cockpit locker gaskets to regain a waterproof seal. 
Dave will replace the forward Southco locker latches. 
Dave has changed the engine oil and fuel filters for the new season. He has also replaced a broken SSB antenna wire. 
Donna is working on sewing new vinyl cushion covers for the cockpit seating. 
Donna is sewing new fabric covers for our set of bumpers.