Long cruise equipment check list

S

smckean (Tosca)

New member
A friend and I are planning a 6 to 8 week cruise from the Seattle area to somewhere north of the Queen Charlottes. My boat is adequately (just) equipped for such a journey, but his boat (an Osprey) is new and lightly equipped.

I've been searching the C-Brat site for a list of recommended equipment for such a cruise (many of you have done such cruises). Anyone know of an existing comprehensive list of:

"Equipment and stuff you should have on your boat if you're going on a long cruise to remote areas"
 
I checked all the blogs I could find for the PNW to prepare for our two trips and there were a lot of them at the time. Many of them had such lists. Recommend a search, there are probably still a bunch of them.

The problem is how much money you have and what you can fit. We ran across one guy who thought you needed a boat of at least 60 ft, so it is a moving target.

John
 
Off the top of my head I'd say the mandatory equipment would include; paper charts, chart plotter and chips, VHF radio, depth sounder, radar, sailing instructions for the harbours that you plan to visit, and a good heater or furnace of some kind. Luxury equipment that some people may say is mandatory would probably include AIS, auto pilot and fridge/freezer combo. This list might serve to get you started and while this equipment is being installed there will probably be a lot of further advice from the experienced folks on this site. Remember, although it's summer, the temperatures can get chilli and the air is always quite humid. We prefer diesel heat and even tend to run it regularly in the summer mornings, even if it's just to "dry" the boat out.
All the best with your preparations and your trip.
 
Paper charts? Eh, a Canadian! I am not touching the "paper charts are required in Canada" contention but they certainly are not required in U.S. Paper charts are next to useless for navigation at the helm. You may know where the rock is on the chart, but you do not know, really know, where your boat is in relation to the rock while moving through the water.

Our "long cruise" was 5,428 miles, but not north. As far as I can see, the only thing going north requires that we did not need on the Great Loop is heat. I agree with the recommendation for diesel heat. We have a Webasto. Otherwise, here is what I think the necessary list is:

1. Two iPads or an iPad and an iPhone with any navigation app that supports Active Captain. I have Garmin Blue Chart Mobile (no longer available but if you have it, the AC data can still be updated) or my new favorite, Aqua Map. To me, the dedicated chart plotter is going the way of the dinosaur, way too expensive for the equipment and the cartography is just extortionate. You already have the smart phone, and quite possibly an iPad, but if not, a refurbished iPad is maybe $300. The apps are all $50 or less for U.S. and Canada. If you don't know about and use Active Captain, you are living in the stone ages!

2. A depth sounder. Critical!

3. A good VHF radio at the helm and a good handheld VHF radio. If you are getting a new VHF radio, should be one with AIS.

4. A good heavy anchor and lots of chain and rode.

5. A dinghy to get to and from the shore.

6. Whatever you need for storing food and preparing meals.

7. An EPIRB and ditch bag - I don't have these yet, but they are now high on my "must have" list before the next significant cruise.

We try never to be cruising in the fog. We have radar but in 13 years have only used it about three times, once in Alaska and a couple of times in the San Juans. These days AIS seems more valuable than radar, since it shows you where other vessels are, their name, course and speed, and time to collision!

 
Yikes!!! I forgot about an EPIRB or a personal position indicator as well as a dinghy. (thanks Pat) The dinghy is handy for putting ashore in places that are too rocky to beach your boat. We recently got rid of our 9.9hp outboard in favor of a 3.5 for the dinghy. It won't get the inflatable on a plain but it only weighs 37 lbs and it beats the heck out of paddling against those swells.
Be safe, have fun.
 
Extra fuses, a spare macerator and water pump if you boats have these. Extra electrical wire and crimper, connectors and volt meter.

Spare prop (props), with castle nut, cotor pins and thrust washers. Water pump impeller. spare fuel filters. Extra gaskets for oil change, if necessary--both engine and lower unit. Spare hydraulic fluid if hydraulic steering.

Tool kit: including prop wrench, large and small crescent wrenches, Vise grips, including needle nose, large and small standard, and chain vice grips. Socket set, diagonal wire cutters, hardened or carbide jaws if fishing. Needle nose pliers, Screw drivers, including very small, Robertson, and zero clearance. ratchet type.

Self fusing tape, electrical and duct tape

Method of anchoring dinghy, or pulling it well up on shore.

Shrimp and crab pots, with adequate line (400 feet for Shrimp) Fishing gear.

I carry a folding shovel (German war surplus is far better than US), A hatchet, and machete. Large folding knife. Multi tool--such as Letterman Wave.

Extra anchor shackles, Stern anchor, and rode. I also carry a fortress sized to be a main anchor for sand and mud. Sufficient line to anchor in 100 feet of water. Tow line and bridle.

Shade for the forward hatch (sun doesn't go down until very late)

We carried HAM radio gear. The InReach (now by Garmin) for tracking and for sending 160 character messages via satellite.

Tablet with back up navigation (Navionics app). Definitely a Personal Locator Beacon (we have 3--one for each person and one for the ditch bag.)

Ditch bag: Multi tool, compact vinyl tarps and space blanket for each person. matches or lighter/fire starting material. rocket flares. compass--hand bearing. waterproof hand held VHF radio, with AA battery holder and at least a dozen AA batteries. Quality flashlight--with S O S, or ability to send S O S. Fishing package, first aid package, SS leader material with swages. Dacron line or paracord.


First Aid kit, to cover all contingencies where you may not get medical attention for a day or two.

Camper back enclosure. rain tight and bug screens. Insect repellant

Container spare water. Water purification tablets, or filter for contaminated water

We always carry a back up cooking (if a Wallas, then a single propane burner)

Be sure batteries are in good shape. Spare batteries for all devices on the boat-include AA AAA, 9V, Andy speciality batteries. I have a card of the small flat cells I carry--all types for about $3 at Ace.
 
Pat Anderson":1ejc1ye4 said:
Paper charts? Paper charts are next to useless for navigation at the helm.
Click to expand...

Yes, but what has been left out of everybody's list is toilet paper. On board the Limpet, I have a rule that every item must serve a dual purpose. So maybe paper charts should be included.

Mark
 
Pat Anderson":1m4ce64t said:
.

.... Paper charts are next to useless for navigation at the helm. ....
Click to expand...


Hmmmmm, How did sailors ever get around before chart plotters?????
I’m old so maybe tihis doesn’t count, but, I managed quite well for more years without a plotter than with. I think I’m not the only one!
I love my older but still really nice plotter but still have a chart out or handy for the “big” view. So far never had a chart go on the blink either!
Never had to use it (plotter or chart) as TP either — good thing, it sounds uncomfortable.
 
Don't forget beer.
Throw most other stuff out and
pack more beer.
Maybe you don't realize:
Thirst is a dangerous thing.

Aye.
 
From the posts made you can pick out a adequate list of essential or not so essential items. Personally, I think with having the iPhone or iPad & a dedicated electronic chart paper charts are not needed, but I have brought along on all our cruises this laminated large view chart, though with two iPads to quickly access any view desired from large to small scale it was not used except when talking to other cruisers sharing information.
B993D8DC_663E_44C8_8796_6AA6C287F097.jpg

Two items perhaps not essential, but to me worth there space on a very crowded CD22 are a small generator like the Honda 1000 or 2000 & a ceramic heater.

Jay
 
After you layout all your stuff, take half of the clothes and twice the money you originally planned for.

(P.S. This applies on any travel plans you make.)
 
Pat Anderson":2fdupltx said:
Paper charts? Eh, a Canadian! I am not touching the "paper charts are required in Canada" contention but they certainly are not required in U.S. Paper charts are next to useless for navigation at the helm. You may know where the rock is on the chart, but you do not know, really know, where your boat is in relation to the rock while moving through the water.
Click to expand...


You just need to know how to use the charts :wink:
I carry charts for all the areas I cruise, along with parallel rule, compass/dividers & pencil :mrgreen:
Have no cell service most areas & have had the plotter fail with a software malfunction, paper has never failed (yet)
Have fun!!!
 
I pulled out of the attic my old Canadian chart of Clayoquot after I had just spent a week up there. It had my old bearings penciled in, some time notations (to calculate SOG for dead reckoning), and one hot fishing spot. Back then, I had a nav table as big as the chart. On the Limpet, my table is smaller than a TV tray. A secondary E chart, even if it was on a dinky iphone, would be nice, but going back to paper charts would be useless for me.

50' of extra line for something, because something always happens.

Little 12x12" cotton dish or bath clothes. You can get them cheap by the dozen. Keep one handy on the deck (suction cup hook is nice) and use it every time your hands get salty/slimy/bloody. Change as necessary. I love the ocean, but after a while everything takes on a crusty fishy damp feel. Little towels can put this off for days.

Also moist towelettes. Not the baby wipes or anything that has "moisturizing lotion" in it. My favorites are Clorox brand counter wipes, but my wife says those are too harsh on her delicate skin. For me, they work for sanitizing the fish cleaning station and a quick Navy shower (not the same towelette).

Mark
 
Hunkydory":3elfkiu6 said:
Two items perhaps not essential, but to me worth there space on a very crowded CD22 are a small generator like the Honda 1000 or 2000 & a ceramic heater.
Jay
Click to expand...

Jay, don't you guys find the ceramic heaters cause a lot of condensation?
We used to use an alcohol one and a propane one but got fed up with wiping moisture off everything. The diesel gives us a warm dry heat, and the slight odour reminds us of our younger days when wood and fuel oil were our only sources of heat.
 
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.
 
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...
 
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
 
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