The Most Important Item

[Dennis.G]

I would put things such as good boat condition, attentive crew etc under heading of basic requirements.

Under heading of safety equipment, I think 1st is good anchor and rode.

Listen to ch 16 off any coast of USA. What is discussion with CG and 'vessel in distress'?

Mayday! Our engine don't work and we are drifting toward the rocks!!!
CG: Have all crew put on their life jackets if not already done. >> OK.
CG: Have you deployed an anchor? >> No >> Deploy your anchor >> Duh, OK.

The life jackets are for when you don't have a good anchor and rode, and you end up on the rocks.

Of course many other things can happen at sea, but I will go with the above since it is a situation that happens so very often with boating public.

[thinwater]

Clearly training trumps all, as it tends to prevent the need for other things. A well trained sailor tends to stay within the limitations of crew and boat.

But if it is a physical item, the bulkheads that contain all of my through hulls and provide flotation even with multiple holes.

But there is redundancy in almost every other area I can think of, no single item that if lost would keep me at the dock.

So training still wins. I would not loan my boat to an idiot.

[Capt Phil]

Sound judgement and experience. CP

[daddle]

Originally Posted by Capt Phil

Sound judgement and experience. CP

The experience seems to come along on the cruise by itself, but good judgement often eludes me.

[Lowcountry]

My well-maintained diesel engine.

[Johnathon123]

Wow

What a surprising bunch of answers

I would have thought a well maintained diesel would feature much higher than number 20

All very sobering thoughts

[MAXI]

I would say that it depends on the situation. If you are lost at sea it would be really nice to have a GPS, but if you just need a good nights sleep at sea an anchor is nice to have.

[OErjan]

gps? yes but mid ocean? close to coast both GPS and anchor with plenty of chain or 20m chanin + high quality Polyester of apropriate strenght)
mid ocean id go for independent source of potable water.
loss of fresh water REALLY pushed this home for me this summer, luckily we where just out 27 hours from port, still...

[Tashtego]

Good Judgment comes from Experience.Experience comes from bad judgment!

[Matt sachs]

One could argue that a well trained captain is all you need. 'cause he/ she would set out on a curise with out all the other stuff mentioned

[hpeer]

NO FREAKING SCHEDULE!

(A schedule is the most dangerous thing, therefore the most important item is to NOT have a schedule.)

[Palarran]

Originally Posted by CharlesFCook

Trained, Experienced, Sober, Drug Tested Crew.

I'm screwed.
Man the life raft

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Johnathon123

The one that gives you the greatest peace of mind.

Greatest peace of mind?
My ground tackle. A made-in-Canada Rocna backed up by 100 meters of chain.

[sailorboy1]

While most probably wouldn't say this is 'safety equipment"; If out in fairly open water I consider my autopilot as at least 1 of the most important pieces of safety equipment. It will steer the boat and keep it under control (probably better than I can) in bad conditions, freeing me to to be able to deal with other items when they are occurring.

[Dkdoyle]

Radio to call for help if all else fails