Conference vicki::boats

What you carry might depend on how much stowage space you have and much
much you can afford to spend. Our philosophy is that we should be able to
get home without assistance no matter what happens (other than sinking). 

We keep on board a complete spare set of fuel and oil filters, spare sea
water cooling pump impellers, spare hoses, hose clamps, and enough tools to
completely disassemble and rebuild the engine. (We have a diesel -- for a
gasoline engine I'd have spare points, plugs, distributor cap and rotor
also). 

We also have a liferaft, two VHF radios, two EPIRBs, five bilge pumps, 
loran, RDF, the usual pyrotechnics, and an extensive abandon ship kit (yes,
we sail well offshore fairly often). 

    If you asked my wife, she would recommend the whole GD house
    
    Believe me i carry it.
    
    Jim.
    

    The answer probably lies with the particular trip you're taking.
    
    .1 obviously goes on long trips away from any help.
    
    You should be prepared for the worst, but that doesn't mean to bring
    a replacement for every thing in the boat.  Sometimes a good radio
    can accomplish a lot.  Best of all, prepare for the specific trip
    you are going on.                    
    
    Ken

re              <<< Note 588.3 by RIPPLE::CORBETTKE "KENNY CHINOOK" >>>
>                               -< An opinion... >-

>    The answer probably lies with the particular trip you're taking.

	I agree, wholeheatedly.  If I'm only going on a short trip 
I'll just take - all of what the author of .0 said, plus a paddle...

							....and some beer


	Well, if things havn't been running too well recently, I might 
take a set of plugs....

							....and some beer


	Oh, and a plug wrench....
							....and some beer

	Maybe a 1/2 inch socket set, in case it isn't just the plugs

							....and some beer

	Errr, the torque wrench too, I s'pose
	..and a set of points, condensors,,
							....and some beer

	At least three spare head gaskets; if the first one doesn't 
	fit and the second one is different I'll need a majority opinion.

							....and some beer

	Spare belts for the alternator, and whatever else is hanging 
	off the engine

							....and some beer



	Thermometer, barometer, anemometer (for measuring Annie),
	digital compass, rectal thermometer (in case someone gets 
	sick, or just IS sick), manometer (see above), inclinometer
	(if I feel so inclined). 

							....and some beer


	Radios (various)  VHF, UHF, 2 meter and transistor.
	digital compact disc player, digital piano, digital 
	harpsicord, digital watch, loran, radar, electric guitar, 
	digital violin (play me, I'm musical)
	Two more of each for back-up.
							....and some beer





	The other boat (supply vessel),  3 extra automatic bilge
	pumps (not much freeboard, as you can guess, and we need a
	majority opinion from the float switches). 
	Flamethrower (to burn off surplus gas in the bilge and to
	repel boarders). 

						....and some party hats 



	Ski boom, (doubles as a mast if we have to return without 
power), sewing machine (to make emergency s**ls), wet suits, dry 
suits, waders, spare clothing (all of which could be converted to 
s**ls in emergencies).  Core mat, roving, resin, etc.

						....and some b**r



	Coupla gallons of bottom paint to throw over the side in the 
hopes of killing barnacles and whatever else might be lurking.

						....and some rum

	Bridgeport Milling machine, in case the engine has a  BIG  
problem today - also the 15 inch Colchester/Clausing lathe (leave the 
big one at home).  Granite surface table, various micrometers, vernier 
gauges, files (isam, rough, mill and bastard) for adjusting things 
that don't fit (including data).  Hammer for adjusted things that
STILL don't fit. Bigger hammer for (see above).  Blueing ink. 
C*nd*ms, shark repellant.  PC with navigational software, the spell 
program that accepts wild cards for vowels, modem with VHF link for 
getting to notes, etc.

						....Johnie Walker







	Spare springs for the trailers.  Spare overload springs for 
the trailers.  Couple of gallons of brake fluid to replace losses due 
to boiling.  Spares for the 18 wheeler that carries all this.

							....more beer

	Check lists for all of the above to make sure I don't forget 
anything - Oh, I forgot the (3) liferafts, make that three copies of 
the checklists, each with its own checksum.


	Of course, if I'm going out onto bigger rivers, bigger lakes,
or..... 
....

.....


	The BIG   "Oc**n"   itself......

	....I'll take more beer and I won't go alone - so that means
even more beer. 



	R	{skiers bring yer own}

RE: .4

Reg,
You just confirmed what I already suspected.  If I were you,
I'd also bring a big wrench....



To tighten the loose nut behind the wheel!    8^)


Rick

	prop puller, slide hammer, band_aids, snorkel

	extra prop pullers, they sink.

	stop watch, redundant condoms (can't be too safe), back-up 
	stop watch(es), spare prop(s).

	welding equipment;  gas, arc (stick), MIG, submerged arc 
	cutter - underwater concrete cutter (for "fixin" bridge 
	pilings), flippers.

	back-up sewing machine(s), awlgrip, more ski handles for 
	{whoever breaks 'em in Littleton}.

	head descaler, bio-degradeable magazines, plastic sandwich 
	bags to throw over the side.  Alka selzer, advil, stomach 
	pump.  More magazines.  Short length of chain in plastic hose, 
	plus a padlock.

	more spare props, with cotter pins this time.

	air compressor (large),  15Kw 3ph generator, binding slime, Mr 
	Coffee machine, Ms Coffee machine, back-up bottle(s) of slime.
	a few  PRESSURE TREATED  2 x 4s 

	timing light, bud light, daylight, TV, VCR and a Monty Python 
	tape, skil saw, table saw, hack saw, backup tape(s)
	(incremental and full, multi volume even).  Crock pot.

	hernia truss (this stuffs heavy).  Firecrackers.
	small dirt bike for forays into the hinterland (huh ?)
	big dirt bike for wheelies into the hinterland (wherever).
	Fenders, spare anchors(3), rope/various.  more c*nd*ms.  Snake 
	oil.

	Fishing tackle ?

		Nope, no room for non essentials.


	Reg

    So far it looks simpler and more cost effective to bring along an
    identical spare boat.  (With a tow along for the beer).
    
    MJS
    

    Propulsion:

	I use a rather sparse tool kit and primarily rely on redundancy.
		Dual batteries
		Dual motors - One 200 hp primary and one 25 hp auxilliary 
	Since I use the same tank for both motors I still run the risk of
	contaminated fuel but I think the risk is minimal. (I use a water 
	separator/filter on the fuel line, stabilizer when appropriate etc.)

    Electronics:

	I can't afford the redundancy here yet but would like a spare VHF
	and an EPIRB..
		VHF
		LORAN 
		RADAR
		Fish/depth finder
		CB (sometimes)
		
    Generic Safety Equipment:

	Coast Guard required stuff ...Fire Ext, flares, horn etc.

    Other:

	Probably the most important category.

		Compass
		Charts
		First Aid Kit
		Oversized anchor and plenty of rode
		Sea anchor
		Boat US Towing Insurance (when all else fails)

    
    I think Reg. forgot one of the most important tools to have onboard.
    
    
                      WHERES THE CHURCHKEY?
    
    
    Pauls list will just about do it/. Don't forget a good serrated edge
    sheath knife for your belt and one for your anchor tender. 
    
                           AND CASH! LOTS OF CASH!
    
    

    Toilet Paper?
    
    Rags?
    
    Paper Towels?
    
    These, sir are not emergency items, they're luxury.
    
    Having spent most of my frre time on Puget Sound let me tell you what
    I think the most important items are in addition to the coast guard
    stuff (which you already have, right?)
    
    1) Compass.  Never, ever go in the Sound without one.
    
    2) VHF.  When that boat dies, you better be able to call for help
             because there aren't many sandy beaches and landing on those
             nice Washnington Granite piles is a blast.
    
    3) Waterproof *NAVIGATION CHARTS* so you know where the heck you are.
       You can spend your life at posession bar, but when that fog comes in
       and you can see 50 feet of coast, you won't know if you're off of
       Kingston, Whidbey or Edmonds.  A chart and a compass with a little
       common sense will get you home everytime. 
    
    
    The rest of the stuff is nice to have.  Depth sounder is good for when
    the fog rolls in.  You can see if you are about to run aground when the 
    depth sounder says 200'... 100'... 50'...20'...10'  (very common near
    the rocks).  LORAN would be nice, but I don't personally have one.
    CB is okay.  Now you've got more antennas than an F-111.
    
    Hope this helps.  
    
    /brett

    

    Oh yeah, spare prop.  Don't leave shore without it and a prop tool.
    There is more junk (submerged timber etc) in Puget Sound than all
    of Tacoma.  I busted 3 props last year and never came close to running
    aground.
    
    Got them all fixed at the prop shop in Ballard.
    
    /brett