The Cruisers Essentials List

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

I would disagree Dave, but that is not a first for you and me . What I like about the list is that more things are being used for more purposes, thus the actual weight of what we have to carry around in decreasing. A good block and tackle for example is now used for a vang, a boom catcher and a Man overboard haulout, and it stays at about the same place in the boat! Same for the multifunction pole that has been suggested. These are GREAT ideas and will simplify my provisioning a lot.

Don- don't assume anything besides maybe some old fries and and a shake. Clothing was optional in an earlier thread, but I am too modest to go without. I will publish the most recent list in the morning- see if you can go without any items I list for more than a month while cruising.

Newt not to go round in circles but this is supposed to be

"essential cruising equipment ". cruising equipment of course, essential , hardly.

dave

[Hudson Force]

Anchor roller, anchor ready and anchors three? Ok, I don't mean to be obtuse, but what is an "anchor ready". I can't imagine that this is listed only to identify that it's ready to deploy; for then, we would have seen jacklines ready, flares ready and Epirb ready. Is this really listed to state it's location or is there some device that I've never heard of that is called an "anchor ready"? If we're listing where things are to be located, then it's a whole expanded topic.

[s/v Beth]

Concerning the Anchor Ready: It was on the list from the Pardey's. I really don't know what it is either, and I was going to sheepishly take it off the list if no one can identify it.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

You do travel light Barnie. Anyone want to speak up for the junk he is throwing off the transom? Some things in both catagories have already been done away with (TV, camera, camcorder, liferaft and dingy combo). But its still quite a list. How long did you travel without a windlass and 3 anchors on chain???

All magic can has its explanation, Copperfield or Barnie :-)

a) No windlass - our boat only 26', chain and warp rode.

b) We did have the anchors, and not 3 but whole 5!.

Sailed 2003-2007 actively, now mostly small trips in ours and longer trips in others' boats. Maybe something happens this fall/winter again.

Hugs,
b.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

Concerning the Anchor Ready: It was on the list from the Pardey's. I really don't know what it is either, and I was going to sheepishly take it off the list if no one can identify it.

Meaning "ready to deploy".
Some boats did not have anchor rollers etc and when on passage, the anchor was stowed below (along with the rode). When approaching a port, it was brought back on deck and lightly secured with the rode flaked out beside it until you went forward to heave it over the side.

If you have ever done this, you would know why bow rollers, chain pipes, chain lockers and windlass are almost universally fitted on the modern boat!

No mention on the list of mast and boom - just kidding!

[jm21]

I was thinking an anchor ready might be a term for the bracket on the pulpit that an anchor sits in...would make sense in that context...

[barnakiel]

Chronometer - No, shock/water resistant Casio(s) - Yes. And so on and so forth. No magic, just simplicity.

BTW Why no anchor drogue / parachute anchor / etc. on the lists? Not necessary?

b.

[sailorchic34]

Me I would choose an autopilot first over a windvane. But only because you'll need an autopilot to steer when the wind drops. Otherwise lots O hand steering. Though would love a windvane, its not on my list. Other items I do without is windlass (use primary jib winch with rope rode), and a Dodger (we don't need no stinking dodger). I do have a canvas drop cloth sun shade though.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

Me I would choose an autopilot first over a windvane.(...)

I was thinking about the same issue. We are now in the position to get either a quality auto or a quality windvane, but not both. So, simplicity would dictate a windvane (no electricity required=smaller batteries=smaller solar panel=etc.).

Alas, I am yet to find a windvane that will deliver downwind in light airs! I did use though autopilots that steered flawlessly in light wind!

So, simplicity dictates windvane but pragmatics dictate autopilot ...;-)

Being simply rich would solve many simplicity dilemmas!

b.

[s/v Beth]

Barnie, the drogue/ sea anchor is in my Optional list. I think pragmatics would dictate a real head instead of a bucket too, but lets try to get the bare bones, then one can add to their own preferences. SailorChic, a dodger is only in the Optional list too.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

2. Oil lamps are now electric battery, flashlight is on the list.

NEWT!! I can't believe you gave in to the anti-oil-lamp modernists.

Stand up to the Dark Side, Newt! Hold your ground!

[sailorchic34]

oops, missed where dodger was moved to optional... darn blonde moments...

[Mike OReilly]

Going to bed now. Lots of detail. Too much to comment on, but I'll put in a for a good windvane. I have both, but if I had to choose between the two I would definitely want the Aries.

Not easy to install, and expensive if bought new, although they can be had second-hand pretty commonly. But easy to maintain, no electrical worries, and as the wind pipes up it works better, as opposed to the electric.

[RabidRabbit]

I dont understand this list, who cruises with a bucket? If you have a wife/girlfriend the bucket wont cut it. And if you don't, good luck with bringing a nice female back to the boat. Dont most of us have this stuff, plus way more? I am in no way dumping on this list idea, I'm just confused as to why its important to list the few items needed to be totally bare bones suffering. Its odd because of the 50 boats near me now, I am the poor guy, and it shows. But after reading this and simple sailing, I feel like the guy with the fancy gear,gadgets.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Alas, I am yet to find a windvane that will deliver downwind in light airs! I did use though autopilots that steered flawlessly in light wind!

Easy choice though, considering an autopilot wins hands down for coastal sailing and most cruisers do coastal sailing 90% of their time passaging.

A good autopilot steers flawlessy period, not just for some conditions or some area. It steers accurately close along a reef, during calms, to a waypoint, along a depth line, corrected for leeway, on a compass heading, frak, mine can even control a bow thruster in case you go too slow to control the bow with rudder

cheers,
Nick.