Long cruise equipment check list

[gulfcoast john]

Cat O' Nine Tails for fun on those boring passages, and a sextent with built-in flashlight for nighttime use.

[Lollygaggin]

[ssobol]

I think he means an electric ceramic heater, not a propane powered one. Thus the generator requirement. My electric heater does not produce any condensation itself. However, there can be condensation produced by the occupants after a while because the boat is usually closed up when heat is needed.

[localboy]

One thing in short supply up there, especially in summer months, is water. We took a long a 6 gallon water can. I tied it to the port bow rail and filled it & the water tank whenever I could. One of the marinas told us we could fill but not to drink the water they had, as the fresh water table was so low they warned it could be contaminated with salt water. We did not fill from their site.

I have also begun carrying a very good med kit along with a quality tourniquet. I even had an AED (defibrillator) that is normally in my patrol car. I took it with us. I realize not everyone has that advantage, but the med kit/tourniquet is something everyone can have on board.

Your boat is more than capable of the trip. We were the smallest boat in Prideaux Haven. But we were there and having just as good a time as the 50+ footers...

[Hunkydory]

Yes, I should have said electric ceramic heater.

Tosca, the many post in this thread should help in your decision making, but what may even be more valuable to you is a book by Fellow C-Brat Richard Cook. He has spent more time cruising the BC & SE Alaska waters in a small boat, then any other person I’ve known about. I didn’t get the book until I had pretty much figured it out on my own, but for a beginner, I know of nothing better. It well covers the information you have requested. Name “Cruising in a Big Way” by Richard Cook. The problem is I don’t know if it’s still available to purchase. If not, I would consider loaning you my copy.

The other recommendation is what I’ve first told those, that email me for information on cruising SE Alaska & that’s to sift through the Grand Adventure Forum here & read about the accounts of others who have shared their cruises. I started out cruising in SE Alaska in a big way as a complete novice in 2003 & have written up all of our progressive 8 cruises there. For one starting out there is much to be gleaned & still more from others who shared. From reading these even better more direct questions can be asked for answers that will help you or others considering this type of cruise.

Jay

[thataway]

Richard Cook's book is available from Lulu and there are 3 copies on Amazon for $17.

[Gene Morris]

A window squeegee! No kidding...We have been cruising in PNW and Alaska for 2 months. We got ours in Elfin Cove and use it all the time.

[smckean (Tosca)]

Thanks everyone! Very helpful. Keep it coming if any of you have additional ideas.

I will compile an overall list and post it to the forum (once I get my crabbing out of the way.....crabbing opens today in the San Juans ).

[hardee]

I didn't see this one on the list so here goes. I guess it depends on how mechanical you are and how much you are able to do yourself.

A Boat US membership. It has towing available but the thing I use most (in the USA) is the tide table.

Have a Waterproof flashlight, and a good Spot light. The light I use most is a Luci Light, an inflatable, solar rechargeable LED light.

Heat (the dry type is best) because you are going to want to dry things out at some point. The electric ceramic heater does wonders but you have to have 110 VAC power for that.

A small tarp, 5 x 7 at least, to cover the forward hatch both for light and rain, and it will also cover the forward center window to allow both to be open when it rains.

Water purification is a very good idea, as many of the places up north have boil water notifications up.

If you are anchoring, chain is your friend, and a boat length is absolute minimum. Double would be good and more is better.

If you have hydraulic steering, I would recommend carrying some fluid for that.

Be sure you have capability of charging any electronic devices aboard with what ever connectors needed: USB, MicroUSB, Cig Plug, or 110 household plugs, grounded 3 prong on 2 prong only.

If you are going near the Canadian border, have PassPorts available, just in case.

Harvey
SleepyC

[JOHN C]

The first year we went to the pnw, we probably could have just sat when visibility got low. Last summer in AK, we would have been sitting for some extended times (might even still be there) and would have, for sure, overstayed our limit in Glacier Bay. Maybe it was an unlucky year, but we did a lot of cruising in near 0-0 conditions (instrument boating). AIS receiver was a big help too, but there are lots of boats (like ours) that do not have an AIS transmitter including some (piloted, I think, by the deranged or suicidal) out in inflatables that have, at least on our radar, a weak intermittent return. It was also nice when the radar return agreed with the chart plotter.

[Marco Flamingo]