Let's see....
FLOORBOARDS: Glad we have them. Now when it's Happy Hour, if things are tipping I know it's me, and not the boat. We like them.
CHARTPLOTTER: Now days I figure most folks will have some kind of GPS, so I don't see that as an issue. RE Chartplotter, I find it Very useful, and I STRONGLY urge that you spend the extra bucks for a color screen. Look carefully at the new Garmin GPS/Chartplotter/Radar system coming out in FEB 2005 ( I own Raymarine stuff....). It will be great.
CAMPER BACK: We had King Canvas manufacture a slightly larger than normal camper back for us. Used it ever day. Great place to have coffee in the mornings, and happy hours in the evenings. We don't "fish" so it essentially doubles our living space. Very useful.
WALLAS: Seemed expensive, but it meant the difference between being chilly and Comfortable on some cruises. ...besides, I took it out of Sandy's allowance since it was for Her!
WINDLASS: Pretty handy, and permitted me to upsize the anchor, which allows me so sleep better at night. ...besides, I took it out of my allowance (since it was my back that would get strained!)
RADAR: Probably not critical, but when it's handy it's VERY handy; can mean the difference between getting to port or not. Besides, it's fun to track targets and plot shooting solutions. (Captain: "Target at 1300, 1000meters and closing!")
AUTO PILOT: I thought putting A/P on a C-Dory was a little over-the-top but what the heck. As it turned out, if I was to do it again it would probably be the FIRST toy installed rather than the last. I use it MUCH more than I thought. It relieves a considerable workload at the helm, and holds a course better than I can. On many of the longer passages this summer it was absolutely delightful to have it doing the work while I simply maintained a "watch." The slower you go, the more you'll like an auto pilot.
EPIRB: Not really necessary but it gives both Sandy and I a degree of comfort, knowing that if something "really bad" happens the Good Guys (USCG) can find us quickly. Cheap insurance.
Like I said - good topic.
Casey
C-Dory Naknek