What Is the Best Gear Ya Put on the Boat, Considering Price?

[Alain d'HYLAS]

BRUCE anchors..

completely out of date.. poor holding.. many many complaints..

No longer manufactured by the Manufacturer..

[Gallivanters]

besides the woman I married...

• Electric Windlass
• Radar
• Large Display GPS
• Autopilot w/ spares

An electric windlass is like having a strong deck ape stationed on the bow and will allow you to get out of an ugly situation (lee shore anchorage) and encourage you to stop at more places... because hauling a heavy anchor & chain is no longer a back breaking task.

Radar is like having a second person (with GREAT eye sight) on watch with you. Radar can answer many questions about the world around you when your tired eyes are trying to play tricks on you.

Large display GPS (mounted by radar display) can tell you exactly where you are, how far your destination is, when you'll get there, how fast you're going, nearby optional destinations... and is easy to read from a distance without squinting at the tiny screen on a handheld unit.

I fitted our last boat with both Autopilot and Vindvane and used both of 'em across three oceans. I wound up using the autopilot most of the time because it steered much more accurately and was easier to operate. On our new (to us) boat we're going only with an autopilot w/ spares.

But that's just my opinion and what works for me.

To Life!

Kirk

PS - our Bruce anchor saved our boat once while anchored off a rocky shore in the Philippines. A gale rushed upon us without warning, waves were succenly breaking over our bow, the bow sprit broke, it was impossible to raise anchor with our ols manual windlass and we had to cut the rode to escape. We motored well offshore with our tails tucked between our legs and sailed a hundred miles to a sweet little port called Bonbonon. I returned a week later on the Cebu ferry and recovered my ground tackle. The Bruce anchor, set in sand, saved our a$$.

[GordMay]

WHAT MATTERS ON YOUR BOAT?
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[Shas]

Quite right, Alain.
I hate to see outfitters offering these units
(with the associated fear-mongering text)
as if they add real safety on a passage.
I've used these units many times
(and the pre-"automatic" type before that)
as an ambulance paramedic
and they can be quite useful...
IF the patient is in fibrillation
IF advanced medical care is available
within twenty minutes or so
and IF you possess the equipment, meds,
and training to continue intensive treatment.
Otherwise it's what is referred to as Medical Masturbation,
busywork that makes you feel good
but which accomplishes nothing.

Such a unit will do nothing at all
for the patient who has underlying problems
such as allergy, trauma, disease, heart attack...

Unless you are prepared to carry
(and get the training you need to use)
morphine, bicarb, epinephrine, IV equipment,
huge amounts of medical oxygen,
positive pressure ventilators,
oropharyngeal airways
and a jet helicopter for rapid transport,
leave the defib unit on the shelf
and use the money to take a real first-aid course.

Those who cruise in remote or third-world areas
may find locals turning to them for medical aid.
I suggest a practical course of training
and a couple of useful, easy-to-use books.
Where There is No Doctor
and Where There is No Dentist
are awesome references and can be purchased
cheaply at Hesperian Foundation
Indeed, they can be downloaded free of charge.
Now THAT is value for money!

In my opinion these are likely to be
of much more practical value
than "life"rafts, EPIRBS, etc.

Shas

[maxingout]

The piece of gear that made the biggest difference in my cruising was my 70 pound Buegel Anchor.

Once I switched to the Buegel, the anchor watches were over, I could sleep at night, and I knew my boat would still be there when I came back from a land trip.

There have only been two places where I could not get it to set properly: once in the Red Sea on a sloping bottom, and once in a rocky bottom in the Canary Islands. From Australia to America - it worked for me.

The Buegel was a true "no worries mate" anchor. If I need to sell stuff off my boat to pay my bills, the last piece of gear to go would be the Buegel.

Cheers,

[Ex-Calif]

I just love this topic and it is interesting to see all the things that folks add or consider important. As a new boat owner I am interested to get better utility out of the boat and be as safe as possible first. Unfortunately with the big variation no boat sizes in this thread it's hard to figure out what "I" should do. Obviously on our 26 footer a Furuno Radar array may be overkill - LOL

We are planning to do short coastal cruises of a couple days for now and want to build up to 9-14 day trips. From here in Singapore our first destinations will be the Singapore Straits, Johor river, Sebana Cove and Other Singapore marinas. After that we plan to venture up the east coast of West Malaysia to Sibu and Tioman islands. Our "graduation" with this boat will be the Straits of Mallacca to Port Dickson, Mallaca and Langkawi. If that goes well we might consider Phuket as our doctorate work. With this in mind here is how she is fitted now.

Rigging - All new including mast and boom and sails within 5 years
Ground Gear - CQR anchor, 10 meters of chain and 60 meters of rode
Alternate Power - Volvo Penta 10hp, spare parts (alternator, starter, impeller, etc) dual batteries, 40 litres of fuel.
Electronics - Autohelm 1000, VHF, Depth Sounder, handheld Garmin without mapping - it's a G295 aviation unit but at least it tells us where we are and how slow we are going ;-)
Emergency Kit - jackets, rings, first aid kit, wooden plug set, hole kit (a couple of squares of plywood, plasticine, screw gun, screws and bolts)
Personal Amenities - Toilet, sink with 40 litres storage tank, 25 cu/ft of cooler storage, no stove ;-(

So with all that said here is what I think might be next - note that I think this is also the priority order...

Stove - The original Maxi brochures show a two burner stove in the "galley" area and for any overnight cruises I think we are going to need to at least make coffee. I am pretty sure I can add this in without too much rework to the cabinets. He thinks we ought to get a gas grill and hang it on the back. I am ok with that until it rains - I am a grouchy bear without my coffee in the morning.
More Ice! - I don't think a fridge is worthwhile, although my partner is lusting after one. I don't know where we would get the space or the power...
Power - We have a small bimini on the back and I am thinking to add a 3rd battery and a couple of solar panels. I think I can mount 2 each 2ft X 2ft panels. The plan would be to isolate this system completely and run cabin lights, fans, personal radios etc. Basically make a DC circuit for "convenience" items.
New GPS - I think the 396 or 496 series would do us well. Bluecharts and the ability to create passage routes would be a nice supplement to paper charts and make us more aware of anchorages and bottom features as we explore new places.
Second Anchor - We don't have a huge boat and don't expect to be in any unsheltered anchorages but a second Danforth anchor is probably a good idea

I am very interested to hear any views or advice.

[purdue512]

Probably depends on your climate, but the 2-way heat pump with ac saved my marriage in our hot summers.

Of course, it kept us tied to the dock at night. As much as I like being snug up in a little creek somewhere, it's just no fun in still air and 90 degree heat.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by purdue512

Probably depends on your climate, but the 2-way heat pump with ac saved my marriage in our hot summers.

Thanks for the reply Purdue!

AC would be outstanding, especially here in Singapore where temps are always 28DEGC+ during the day. Boat space and power needs will probably put that in the category of "luxury" on board, like the fridge.

Nights cool down some and we are resigned to personal berth fans at best. We are thinking those 4 or 5 inch diameter bulkhead mounts. That's another reason I am thinking a 3rd isolated power system. When the juice is gone the luxuries are gone but we can still start the boat!

[purdue512]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Thanks for the reply Purdue!

AC would be outstanding, especially here in Singapore where temps are always 28DEGC+ during the day. Boat space and power needs will probably put that in the category of "luxury" on board, like the fridge.

Nights cool down some and we are resigned to personal berth fans at best. We are thinking those 4 or 5 inch diameter bulkhead mounts. That's another reason I am thinking a 3rd isolated power system. When the juice is gone the luxuries are gone but we can still start the boat!

I'd say put in that third system for the fans for sure. Comfortable sleep is one of the keys to a happy life. Those little fans don't draw too much. Although, I don't know how many people you need to cool. If shore power is a problem, perhaps a little solar panel to juice it up during the day?

[bottleinamessage]

for us...66# Bruce, stand alone deep freezer (Fridge Freeze), Autopilot (Raymarine 7001 smartpilot w/ SG3 course computer), Alpine stereo w/the built in XM radio tuner and Ipod adapter, Fischer Panda 4.2KW gen set.

Check out our blog...Travels of SV Far Niente

[zardinuk]

Originally Posted by Alain d'HYLAS

Well, is it a product that you sell??

A defibrillator can be helpfull if you are making heart fibrillation.. but ABSOLUTELY NOT in case of Heart attack..

No, and I don't know a whole lot about heart attacks, you may be right. There are probably other circumstances it would be useful though. I don't sell them, but i like to be prepared. I keep a suture kit with me on long excursions.

[Alain d'HYLAS]

[quote=zardinuk]There are probably other circumstances it would be useful though. I like to be prepared. I keep a suture kit with me on long excursions.[/quote]

Well the answer from SHAS is exactly the good one.

It is good to be prepared.. but only for things you are able to do. If you are a cardiologist or a specialist of intensive care.. no problem! TAKE IT.

But if you are not a medecine doctor, forget about that..

[zardinuk]

[quote=Alain d'HYLAS]

Originally Posted by zardinuk

There are probably other circumstances it would be useful though. I like to be prepared. I keep a suture kit with me on long excursions.[/quote]

Well the answer from SHAS is exactly the good one.

It is good to be prepared.. but only for things you are able to do. If you are a cardiologist or a specialist of intensive care.. no problem! TAKE IT.

But if you are not a medecine doctor, forget about that..

No worries, the "Heart Start" device won't shock unless you are in defib. It is meant for average joe to use.

As for the sutures, you may be just as well off with gauze and knowledge in wraps and pressure holds, and reliable comm equipment, as you have to stop the bleeding before sutures are any use.

Doctors are over rated.

[N.M.I.ke]

Originally Posted by zardinuk

Doctors are over rated.

So are lawyers, but we're handy to have around when you really need one.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by N.M.I.ke

So are lawyers [sic: highly over rated] ...

Seldom does one come across a completely original concept.
I’d like to repeat yours (elsewhere), but I’m a little nervous going out on that limb, unsupported.
Could you refer me to any authoritative (or even an un-authenticated) source documenting that novel contention?