What Basics Are Needed for a Bluewater Boat ?

[Tori]

Ok so I see tons of posts saying it costs this amount and this amount to outfit a sailing vessel for blue water cruising. What do you more experienced cruisers consider a properly outfitted boat to have?
Not debating what type of boat assume the boat is a monohull in good enough condition what basics are needed?
I assume you need at least the following:
-Navigation equipment either old fashioned paper charts or newer electronic devices
-sails and spare sails lines sheets etc
-motor with possible back up motor and fuel
-dinghy of some sort with motor
-power source to top off batteries; wind, solar or?
-obviously provisions and water tank of adequate size
-all appropriate emergency equipment including VHF radio and possible EPIRB
-anchors chain rode etc
-sanitation so obviously a marine toilet
-communication of some sort cell phone sat phone computer etc
what else? Yes a radar would be nice etc but what is essential to have a safe blue water cruising vessel?
Assume a 26 to 40 foot vessel with one to three adults...

[mdvick]

You have asked a question with at least a thousand answers and that many more questions!! Where are you planning on going? How much do you want to spend?
The best definition of sailing or yachting EVER - "The fine art of slowly going no where at great expense!" A boat - "A large hole in the water into which you pour large amounts of money." I have two rules - 1. Be Safe and Have Fun! 2. Don't Scare Me and Don't hurt Me!! I hope you have a ball!!!

[zeta]

one basic requirement---boat that floats!

[Tori]

Ok I live aboard and have a sound and capable boat...I think I know what is needed to live aboard independently and have the ability to make a crossing should I choose/ need/want to. What I don't understand is how many posts say it takes 10k to 30k to outfit a blue water boat...what are they spending all of that money on? What do you really need? Yes you can spend an infinite amount of money on any thing like this but what is NEEDED not luxuries just necessities?

[simonmd]

I notice that you are happy to add a Sat phone or PC setup for extra coms but then say 'a radar would be nice' as if it's a secondary extra.

I'd say the reverse is true. For long distance cruising a radar is ESSENTIAL. Ever been out in fog? Pretty scary if you don't have one.

As for the rest, you've pretty much answered your own question. I'd boil it down to 3 simple rules,
Power. Wind AND solar plus a decent supply of batteries for torches, hand held GPS, etc.
Safety. Liferaft, decent tender, decent grab bag. Nuff said.
Redundancy. If Gps goes down, do u have another or charts? If watermaker is fitted, do you have a reserve supply if it goes down? etc, etc.

The rest is down to personal preference. Some have happily cruised without even a proper toilet, others wouldn't leave port without aircon, etc.

[svcambria]

-motor with possible back up motor and fuel

I for one do not carry a spare motor = guess I just live on the wild side...

Michael

[Tori]

I do agree with redundancy for sure...and yes a radar would be absolutely wonderful along with a sat phone but neither is probably essential like water would be.
Am just trying to learn and see what others opinions are

[skipmac]

You need.

-sturdy boat, sails, basic gear like anchors, bilge pumps and such. some even go without a motor, but not me.\
-food and water (backup water in case your tank leaks out or is contaminated)
-basic navigation (charts and good DR skills can do for Caribbean)
-basic safety equipment (harness, VHF, EPIRB, CG required flares, horn etc.)
-dinghy (oars work fine if you can't afford a motor)

I'm sure I overlooked something but pretty much everything beyond that is just to make it easier to cruise and easier to be safe. Good to have if you can afford it but don't have to have it to go.

[Jimbo485]

The replies will be far too subjective. You must get out there and see what you feel comfortable with.

We have no liferaft and no epirb, but we have an unsinkable cat (supposedly) and do not believe philosophically in asking others to risk their lives for us.

We have 2 heads and multiple buckets and feel comfortable just shitting over the side or through the tramps. Nothing beats it when on a passage!

We have a water maker and can catch water direct from the heavens. Our dinghies are rigid and can propel themselves with wind rather than petrol, but most importantly they can be ROWED.

We use small petrol outboards in wells, no diesel inboards. No generator, but 980 W of solar panels and 880 Ah of batteries. Manual anchor winch, manual foot pumps for salt and fresh water taps.

We recognize our choices are not the norm, but we are comfortable with them based on our experience and our plans. You must do the same.

Do you ask a forum for advice on choosing a home or a life partner without first describing yourself, your foibles and your plans?

[Boracay]

For mine, the key question is how big is your present boat?

So, what size boat are you planning on cruising in?

[Tori]

I have a 26 foot boat but the basic necessities should not be too different regardless of the size of the boat. I know what I think and feel is needed for myself and my boat I want to know what other cruisers feel they must have and cannot leave home without...

[sctpc]

Originally Posted by Tori

Ok Yes a radar would be nice etc but what is essential to have a safe blue water cruising vessel?
Assume a 26 to 40 foot vessel with one to three adults...

id prefer AIS than a radar but im new age I also watch movies when im out to keep entertained.

[doug86]

It's not the equipment; every list is at the same time both incomplete and redundant.

It's not the boat; practically any craft imaginable can and has crossed oceans.

It's about desire and sacrifice. What are you willing to give up to fulfill your desire to go? Steve Dashew pretty much sacrifices no comforts at all while Paul E. Johnson can go weeks without a shower or motorized propulsion. It would not be unusual to see them anchored off the same distant secluded island in a far away place...

[pressuredrop]

Originally Posted by Tori

what is NEEDED not luxuries just necessities?

start with a boat that sails well, is structually sound, new rigging...
patience - so aux propulsion is not necessary
sextant, nautical almanac, papaer charts, plotting tools
sails (light air, heavy air, repair tools/supplies)
a means to see in the dark, oil lamps + led head lamps (4 for 7$ at homedepot)
a means to cook food + fuel to do it
storage for water, can be 100 gallon jugs that get refilled, elaborate tankage and plumbing is not needed
2.5 gallon bucket for a head, and another 5 gallon bucket with a lid that has a place in the bilge sump...

[simonmd]

Originally Posted by svcambria

I for one do not carry a spare motor = guess I just live on the wild side...

Michael

Is now a good time to re start the 'cat debate'? I have two motors as standard! (no, please don't, it was a joke.....)

Originally Posted by sctpc

id prefer AIS than a radar but im new age I also watch movies when im out to keep entertained.

Not wise, remember, not all vessels transmit AIS info but all will show up on radar. Personaly, I have a stand alone radar and a seperate AIS display. If the radar went down, i'd certainly not rely on the AIS as there will be plenty of smaller vessels that it won't show.