In response to some suggestions:
- storm tri sail on its own track - I heard mixed things about this especially when going to windward and many recommend a 3rd reef in the main
- third reef in main - will do
second anchor - 3 anchors on board (44lb Manson, 22lb
Delta, (both with 63' of 2/8 BBB chain) 11lb
Fortress (stern & kedge anchor)
- large diaphragm pump - one already in the
cockpit and serviced, planning to add one down below
- securing
batteries,
companionway hatches, etc.
- Yes, much work needed in the 'think cap-size' department
How about reinforcing the
hull structure? The T34 is known to show cracks where the
deck meets the forward
cabin, for example. Anyone dealt with this before?
Thanks Comrades of the Sea!
- mechanical windless - no plans to add one, this is in place of my gym
membership
- a great sea berth with lee cloths - have one on each tack
- for sure the wind vane - looking at either a used
Aries or
Monitor, or a new Cape Horn. will be worth it I think and they have a good resale value
backup autohelm - I'm in tow minds about this. On the one hand the
wind vane will do most
offshore steering, on the other hand the AP will be important while motoring and lifting anchor
preventer on boom - already in place
- pay attention to anything that will fall or open if the hull is inverted,
- cutters for mast if needed - yes, for the wires. or a big metal saw for the mast too?
- mixed feelings about the baby stay, can get in the way but nice to hold the storm sail - the ATN Gale Sail is not fun to rig in a blow. Not a good piece of
equipment in my opinion. On my last trip to the
Bahamas I choose to furl the 140%
genoa in conditions when I shouldn't have. This lead to some trouble sometimes and inefficient sail shape always. Having an inner forestay with a
storm jib attached to it already ready to be hoisted without much effort sounds heaven to me. What do others think?
- watermaker - on my list to buy is a used hand-operated
emergency watermaker from ebay for about $300 for the ditch bag, needs new diaphagm. Also, planning to add a second
water tank under the port quarter berth. was thinking of a flexible tank for easier
installation. What experiences do people have with this
offshore where there is potential for a lot of chafe?
- jack lines plus attachment points at companion way and at the helm - already in place
have boat surveyed with the trip in mind, different from a survey for the sale of the boat - I was thinking about that but it would have to be the right
surveyor with lots of offshore experience, or even an old
salt. Any idea how to find one in the
NYC area?
- life raft - not sure I believe in their superior usefulness. I mostly share this opinion:
http://www.bethandevans.com/seamanship.htm#30.
I am planning to use my 8' Walker Bay hard
dinghy with flotation tubes and sail kit for this purpose. Will need to fit it with a tight and sturdy plastic cover.
-hand held vhf - have two with
GPS
-echo the isaf regs idea - good start -yes, looks good!
- Extra water -see above, currently ahve 40 gallon
fresh water tank, will also have 2 x 5 gallons 3/4 filled in jerry cans attached for
emergency
- extra fuel - not sure about this as the A4 is pretty thirsty (~1.2 gallons per hour at crusing speed),
current tank is 26 gallons. Will save this for landfall and motoring away from bad
weather zones, but will just chill out during calms
- drogue - yes, was thinking a sibngle drogue may be sufficient as opposed to Jordan series drogue.