What Stuff Do You Really Need?

[Irishguy]

OK... Perhaps the title of this post should be "What Stuff Should I Have On My Boat to Go Sailing?"

We have a Venture 25 and I am getting it close to having it ready to go on the water for the first time sailing for us. I been focusing on redoing the nasty interior of the boat and I almost have it finished.

Our goal is to start out in light wind on our lake and eventually as we learn work our way up to the inter-coastal waterway in Alabama and the Florida panhandle and then maybe some coastal sailing after we have acquired more experience.


We have the following:

Sails in good working order
Rigging in good working order
Lines in good working order [They were a little old and nasty, but a quick wash in the washing machine and they look to be serviceable.]
Life jackets
Fire extinguisher
Extra rope
What looks to be some sort of pole for the Genoa?
A pole with a hook for the dock
Working navigation lights [Now... after my complete rewire of the boat.]
A good working Honda outboard [Now... After I have rebuilt the carbs and extracted about 500 spiders out of the motor ]

I have checked everything on the cast iron swing keel and it all looks to be in good order. It is rusty, and there are some little fresh water barnacles on it, but I don't know if I want to pull it now or go ahead and get it in the water and just enjoy the boat and pull and refinish it later this year.

What are some things that you consider necessary when you go sailing in your boat that I should consider?

Compass?
VHF Radio?
Charts of the lake where we will be sailing at first?

Thanks for any advice...

 

[jibes138]

Hey, don't start sounding like my wife. I need all my stuff ,both on my boat, in my garage, and in my tool shed. Then there is the stuff up in the eaves and in the closets. I need all of it. As far as I'm concerned we should add to the bill of rights "the right to keep our stuff."

 

[Ross]

food, water, first aid kit, toilet paper, anchor the list can go on and on.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Start small, work your way up, as your waterline goes up, too.

Minimum stuff? www.boatsafe.com

 

[Cayennita]

You need some type of awning for those days that you are at anchor and the sun is beating down on you. Wind scoop for the front hatch. solar panel. Tool kit. Even though your rigging is in "good shape" you might want to add the necessary tools to cut and splice.

 

[Chuckbear]

we put together a post early on in our cruising preparations that might be helpful,
http://tinyurl.com/3xr5cgd
Hope it is informative. Chuck

 

[Deadline]

Duct tape.
Bourbon.
Flashlight.
Portable GPS.
Air horn.
Hair dryer.

 

[LuzSD]

Wine, beer, Bonime, paper towels, trash bags,water, cooler, absorber, cups, music, backrest pillows.
Winch handles, gloves, knife on your belt, airhorn,Lifesling,American flag....

 

[Eric M]

Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. It sounds like you have the boat in good working order, but at the worst possible moment, something will fail. I hate to sound so negative, but it just seems the way with boats. Your plan to start on a lake sounds like a great idea. Motor well clear of land & docks and other boats the first time you hoist the sails. Continue this practice until you become more and more comforatble with your boat.
The two items I don't see on your list that are required by law are:
Flares
Anchor and anchor rode
I will say the ability to quickly deploy the later I have used more than once when the engine quit working at a less than desirable time.
Not required by law, but a way to call for help either via VHF or cell phone or better, both would also be highly recommended.
Everything else falls under the nice to have items that can help to make your day on the water more enjoyable. Figuring out what those items are for you and your crew is part of the fun of boating.
Good Luck and have fun.
--Eric

 

[RECESS]

Tequila and limes. Ice is nice but you really don't NEED it.

 

[Gail R]

I don't think an anchor/rode is required by law, but my age may be showing, as it's been a while since I took the USPS course. Darn good idea to have it on board. I thank Eric for mentioning flares -- those ARE required and the rest of ya missed it!

 

[jibes138]

What about a bell and what kind of anchor would you recommend even if it isn't required by law? :>)

 

[Dances with Wind]

The free inspection by the USCGA will make for a safer Maiden Voyage, though it may not be as memorable!! I don't know why but it's the catastrophic events that you remember the most, and learn from the best. As my 1st mate and I look back on our excursions of land and sea, and as I read all the other post, you see we all have our different little needs and you'll never be able to fully plan for the worst, so just keep an ongoing list of the "little things" that will make your next trip worth while for Mother Nature is merciless in our endeavor for adventure!

 

[djplatt@cogeco.ca]

Check your local legal requirements. In Ontario you would be required to carry an anchor, 6 flares not more than 3 years old, a 50 foot heaving line, fire extinguisher (2 if there is a stove) and 1 lifejacket per person.

 

[Irishguy]

Thanks for all the replys guys... Keep them coming. I have an anchor, and I am thinking about a VHF radio. My boat is named "Martini Time" if that is any indication that there will be booze on board...

All great suggestions. I hope by the end of this thread and by the ttime we launch I will have a pretty decent list that I can start to add to as we sail more.

 

[Stu Jackson]

With all the input you've gotten already, it's time for you to start your own list! Go for it!

 

[dscribner]

Extra pins (check your shround and stay connections). A 100 ft length of inexpensive nylon rope from Walmart. A rain jacket (sounds too simple), dock lines, safety chain so you don't dump her on the hard when launching.

Oh, and advice to all . . . skip the Bonine, Dramamine etc. Mythbusters (I can't beleive they get PAID to do that stuff!) proved that the best cure for motion sickness is ginger root. It's avaialble in little capsules at Walmart for a couple of bucks and works everytime when nothing else will. Ask for it BY NAME!

A piece of advice. DON'T drink and sail. In Maine, and proabably many states, it is the same as DUI with the same penalties. A passenger can crack a cold one, but the skipper best not imbibe until he/she is at anchor. But then, a could beer, a warm woman and a beautiful sunset over the rail of a yacht at anchor . . . priceless!

 

[kenn]

A piece of advice. DON'T drink and sail. In Maine, and proabably many states, it is the same as DUI with the same penalties.

Worth repeating. In Ontario, and probably the rest of Canada as well, any open alcohol, or alcohol being consumed by anyone aboard, while the vessel is underway, is an offense. In other words, don't break out the drinks til moored, docked, or anchored.

We find sailing our small boat is enough of a handfull that even one drink is a hindrance, so it hasn't been an inconvenience to us.

 

[fifedog]

Main sail, jib, and a little motor to putter out thru the channel.

 

[Irishguy]

...But then, a could beer, a warm woman and a beautiful sunset over the rail of a yacht at anchor . . . priceless!

A beautiful woman bent over the rail? I'll have to add that to the list fer sure...

"Look honey... It says it right here on the list."