What is the best gear ya put on the boat, considering price?

[David M]

woops...duplicate

[rtbates]

for me that's a real no-brainer, it's the dodger. while others are bundled up and dodging spray we can sit comfortably on the bridge deck and stay warm and dry..

[Weyalan]

So far, I would have to say the GPS plotter (with C-map charts) - brilliant.

[jerrymar]

we were in the puddle jumpers... and have been delayed in mexico....
can any one ... share with us the general weather windows that are still a good shot to go south pacific... f/p and than east was the plan....
thanks for all input....... jerry mar

[mobetah]

We got a lot of "STUFF" on Mobetah and we pretty much use and enjoy all of it.

Stuff on our boat:

Electric Windless - A must have (we're not getting any younger)
45# CQR & all chain (3/8") - We love it
45# CQR knockoff / 25' chain / 5/8" rope for second anchor (rarely used but have to have it)
Roller Furler - A must have (we're not getting any younger)
salt water washdown - A must have for muddy waters
fresh water washdown - A must have (we use it for showers)4
4 man life raft - never used one but got to have it
Lazy jacks - good but will soon be replaced with MacPac (we're not getting any younger)
Binini and windshield - A must have in southern sun, rain and rough water
complete inclosure - seldom use it now that we're not in cold climates
cockpit speakers - A must have (we like our music)
10'6" AB RIB dingy - A must have
15hp Yahama for dingy - Could get by with smaller by why?
Heavy davits for dingy and outboard - A must have (at least for us)
stainless propane BBQ grill from Acadamy Sports - A must have (we grill a lot on the boat - taste great and keeps the heat outside)
GPS (not chart plotter) in cockpit - We sailed with nothing, TDF, Loran and GPS but GPS is now A must have
depth finder - A must have
speed log - nice but we usually use the speed on the GPS
wind speed and direction - Don't have to have it but you sure get used to it!
Compass - looks pretty and nautical but to be honest we usually use the compass in the GPS
Stereo with aux. input - got to have it (we like our music)
8 individually controlled speakers below - could like without them but why (we still like our music)
Satallite radio - could live without it but why?
Computer (2 each - one backup) used for navigation (Capt' Voyager), email, internet when available, record keeping, skype phone and music (all 15,000 songs - remember we like our music)
110v Rich Beers refrigeration - got to have refrigeration and we like the Rich Beers unit
3 burner Force 10 stove - OK but overpriced (IMHO)
microwave - got to have it (like the grill it keeps the heat down inside)
110v watermaker - makes life a lot simpler
hart tank tender (for water tanks and fuel) - makes life a lot simpler
Universal generator - came with the boat and we have added 110v items like watermaker and microwave (if just starting out we probably would not buy one but we sure use it now)
Heart 2500 watt inverter with 130 amp charger - got to have
back up 40 amp Zantrek charger - we use it to equalize the batteries and charge the cranking battery
8 Trojan T105 golf cart batteries (1,00+ amp hours) for the house - they work great and are now 9 years old and still going strong (knock on wood)
12,000 btu & 6,000 btu (aft cabin) air conditioner - we use them when we are at the dock (we lived aboard the boat for 15 years while workining a past life but seldom (if ever) crank them up while crusing
Reverso oil change pump - I love it makes oil changes a lot simpler
SSB & Ham radio - use for weather, keeping in touch, email, etc. I know Columbus didn't have one when he came over but we sure enjoy having one now
ICOM VHF (below) with command mike (in cockpit) - got to have it
Satallite Epirb - never used it / got to have it
complete ditch bag - never used it / got to have it

Stuff that didn't work out:

16 mile radar - never worked very well so it was removed
Lectasan - allways breaking down and the bunny huggers are outlawing them left and right so it was removed