First time cruising, what should I have on board?

[bfiegener]

Check your insurance policy first. You may already have coverage for towing.

[impi]

Originally Posted by weavis

My mother was from Durban.
When I visited in the 80's, my step grandfather took me to the Royal Natal Yacht Club (Durban). I loved it. I got a history lesson about it being the oldest club in S.A. The food was wonderful and the drinks flowed.
Lovely Club, Lovely people and a treasured memory.

Yeah - that is a special spot! I grew up in that region at Umhlanga Rocks

[sailorboy1]

that's a boat drifting

[dangerfield55]

Paul, you are welcome on my boat.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[deckofficer]

Come on RadioZ, lets us know how the passage went.

[kapnkarl]

Originally Posted by rgesner

Is this a safe procedure or could this harm some engines?

How likely is this to work?

Could extended cranking suck in too much water through the water pump">raw water pump and cause valves and cylinders to drink salt water?

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by kapnkarl

Could extended cranking suck in too much water through the raw water pump and cause valves and cylinders to drink salt water?

Yes it could. The exhaust muffler etc fills with water, eventually may get into the cylinder. Also may overheat starter cables. I like to limit to 10 secs or so at a time for the cables.

[TomLewis]

Great point about the cables getting hot, especially if your boat is somewhat old and the cabling hasn't been tended to. Resistance in the cables increases and drops more voltage, it will get really hot.

[Paul J. Nolan]

If only the Smeetons had had a towing policy!

Paul

[crpcrp]

Sorry if you have this covered.

USCG can board and inspect at any time (even in international waters if your US flagged) so make sure you have all required USCG safety items on board as required under Federal law or you could be fined and not allowed to leave harbour until you are signed off as compliant.

You may find this from the USCG website helpful

http://www.uscgboating.org/images/420.PDF

(its safe to open the link or just type in google)