ESSENTIALS for Carribean Cruising

[Southern Star]

Zanshin, I agree with Peter - what is unimportant to one person is essential to somebody else. Would I drive a car without air conditioning on a hot day? Only if I had no other choice. Would I take an extended cruise in the Caribbean without a dodger/bimini, screens, fans, autopilot, chart plotter, SSB, refrigeration, an Epirb, a good stereo, watermaker, first rate ground tackle, a decent inflatable with outboard, a series drogue and adequate spares, etc? Again, only if I had no other choice.

Fortunately I (and many others), do have the choice and have found that all of the above add not only to convenience, but also to the pleasure/safety of cruising. Remember, we are supposed to be having a good time and, in my opinion, anything which increases the practicality/safety/comfort of your vessel should be given serious consideration.

Having said all of that, one can go cruising on a boat with no engine, sitting headroom, no head, a single burner stove, no chartplotter, no dodger, no bimini, no screens, no fans, no radio, no self-steering gear, heck - no electricity (using kerosene lamps)! If one follows your interpretation of this thread, I suspect the real answer would be a boat, a compass, some charts and an anchor with about a 100 foot rode and a short chain leader.

Brad

[Zanshin]

Hmm... you have a point; if it were taken to extremes an absolutely minimalistic boat would suffice. I just read a lot of posts detailing items that were, by anyone's definition, "nice to have" luxury items and nothing directly to do with tropical climes or necessities.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by Zanshin

Hmm... you have a point; if it were taken to extremes an absolutely minimalistic boat would suffice. I just read a lot of posts detailing items that were, by anyone's definition, "nice to have" luxury items and nothing directly to do with tropical climes or necessities.

I cruised short distances in a 18ft boat in my twenties. No way I could tolerate that now.

My necessity list changes the softer (older) I get.

[imagine2frolic]

I did the camping thing when I was 40. It was great, but now I am closing in on 60, and I want a lot of unneeded things. My comfort zone has gone skyhigh, and I will take along what I can afford.

I prefer to reach into the fridge, and pull out a cold one without lugging 50lbs of block ice to the boat that will be gone in less than a week. I like seeing where the boat is on my chart plotter, so I don't have to use my brain. I still know how to use s,d,&t. I know how to do a set if needed.

I had no windlass when I started the first time. I bought a manual to save my aching back along the way. Now I have 2 electric ones to do the dirty work. We all get through life differently on land & at sea.

I met a fellow in Puerta Vallarta who summed it up. I want to sail the world like Magellan. He took every bit of latest technology with him. I will too, and if that means an ice maker, and a blender for drinks. Then that's the way it will be.....LOLOL

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

I met a fellow in Puerta Vallarta who summed it up. I want to sail the world like Magellan. He took every bit of latest technology with him. I will too, and if that means an ice maker, and a blender for drinks. Then that's the way it will be.....LOLOL

I like that.

[SailingPassage]

any thoughts on whether a series drogue or sea anchor has been more or less usefull in rough weather in the caribbean?

[Soft Air]

i2fro is just having fun

[lampe]

some kind of chain claw to avoid noises from the anchor chain on
the bow roll. When you are sleeping in the bow this can make you
sleep better.

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by SailingPassage

any thoughts on whether a series drogue or sea anchor has been more or less usefull in rough weather in the caribbean?

SP,

You might conceivably need one of those on your trip across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, but I can't imagine needing a drogue or sea anchor once you're here. The islands are a day-sail apart, with a couple that are overnight passages. You can easily pick your weather. Unless you plan on running from hurricanes, spend your money on something else, IMHO.

[Jim Newman]

It's really interesting to read what you western cousins are doing in the Carib and much of it seems to match the requirements in the Med (hot and sunny!)
Impossible without a bimini/sun cream.
Can't anchor and get ashore without a dinghy.
Can't anchor without a good anchor (just bought a Rocna).
Wind scoops can help below decks and are cheap.
Refrigerator for the necessities of life (beer - doh!!!!!!)

Jim
Siempre

[Tempest245]

Great Thread, Great information ! I have only done charters in the BVI. I am retiring this year and would like to eventually take an extended cruise in the Bahamas, Carribean on my vessel.

I have most of the gear mentioned in this thread, but I don't have an all chain rode.
I believe I have about 35 feet of chain on each of my anchors ( 1 spade and 2 Danforths)...How critical is the all chain rode? Does it rise to the level of "Must haves" ? and are my anchor selections appropriate?

Thanks,

Tempest..

[camaraderie]

Tempest...I would say 100ft. of chain to start is mandatory for coral areas and if your Spade is an oversized primary you will be fine with your present set up.

[SailingPassage]

Originally Posted by Hud3

SP,
Unless you plan on running from hurricanes, spend your money on something else, IMHO.

God help me if I have to run from a hurricane. Don't most people haul out or head North/South durring hurricane season or are there a good few hardy souls who stick out the season with great knowledge of hurricane holes?

[Tempest245]

Cam, Thanx!

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by SailingPassage

God help me if I have to run from a hurricane. Don't most people haul out or head North/South durring hurricane season or are there a good few hardy souls who stick out the season with great knowledge of hurricane holes?

Most do haul out or take their boats "out of the box", either south or north. I've kept my boat strapped down to yard anchors in Grenada and twice in Antigua, now. Some rely on the hurricane holes, but the good spots fill up. The locals know where they are, so the new-comers can't depend on finding a good spot if the need arises.