Bahamas, Things You Don't Need...

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

...
We need only two things: food and water...

Indeed.
The economic definition of a need is something needed to survive, things like food, water, and shelter.
A more liberal definition might include the means to acquire them.

[Sandero]

Originally Posted by RTB

Pretty much covers it, except I'll add no autopilot. Two of us on board doing 2 hour watches for the overnighters.

We do have a fridge, and have added solar since our first trip to the Bahamas. Ditch the fridge and you can ditch the solar panels. Or have a Honda EU 2000i companion for charging, which is all we had when we left Texas in 2012. We also have 100' of chain for our 35# Manson Supreme, but no windlass. I'm 65 and can easily haul that.

Just have a boat that won't sink under you, A decent dinghy, and some dollars for cruising permit, food, and occasionally water. Our cheapest months cruising were in the Bahamas.

Ralph

Your idea of cruising is does not align with mine... Despite have those things... cruising is not a piece of cake.... you need to be smart and careful. These sorts of things make cruising easier and safer. You can haul your boat in 20 knots of wind and chain.... no thanks... a windlass makes for a more reliable anchoring experience and less strain on the body. I would NEVER cruise without a good AP... I have no intention of spending have my time stuck at the helm...

Do you need these wonderful devices? I do.. I wouldn't be sailing without them... and I have had 32 years to think about it.

[NoahTreat]

Such a weird thread. Technically you don't "need" anything but a canoe and a paddle.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by NoahTreat

Such a weird thread. Technically you don't "need" anything but a canoe and a paddle.

we NEED a canoe AND paddle

[Pete7]

So there must be some of these "marina queens" on CF, who are they? and if they are reading this what is your opinion?

Pete

[Sandero]

Originally Posted by Pete7

So there must be some of these "marina queens" on CF, who are they? and if they are reading this what is your opinion?

Pete

I get it... but that is still and insulting remark...

[taxwizz]

Speaking of autopilots.....
50 years ago, in 1967, Sir Francis Chichester sailed around the world, before the days of electronic charts and GPS using just a wind vane and sail balancing for self steering.

In his book he mentioned, I believe, that he actually only steered by hand for a few hours during the entire trip.

[DotDun]

Made several trips to the Bahamas. Never used the bilge pumps, spare anchor or insurance, must not need any of those!

[Sandero]

Originally Posted by Pete7

So there must be some of these "marina queens" on CF, who are they? and if they are reading this what is your opinion?

Pete

My opinion is that this thread is rubbish and amounts to trolling... It should be removed. Can we have thread which are instructive and not silly rubbish???

[sailorboy1]

Name one that has more than 15 replies!

[windhorze]

Originally Posted by Sandero

I would NEVER cruise without a good AP... I have no intention of spending have my time stuck at the helm...

oooooh, god forbid...

[windhorze]

Delancy, I think this is a wonderful thread...and couldn't agree with you more...unfortunate for the trolls that want to change the spirit of the thread...darn what was that famous couple that cruised all over the world in a 28 ft boat without an engine...you know...the last name starts with a P...for me...never had a windlass, never had refrigeration...rarely ever had roller furling...longest sailing adventure (as skipper) was on my Hobie 18 san felipe to La Paz...am I recommending it to the trolls? No. Did I have the adventure of a lifetime? You bet!

Was planning Cuba this winter...might decide on the Bahamas to reduce the hassle factor and get the wife onboard...won't have most of that stuff either...would be wonderful to cross tracks...

Cheers

[nautical62]

Many cruises to and through Bahamas over the past 15 year period.


Things I've personally never felt any need for:

Epirb (1)
Radar (2)
All chain rode. (But there's nothing wrong with it either) (3)
Man overboard pole. (Tied in for crossing)
Shore power
Passage making boat.
Life raft (had inflatable dingy)
Crew I didn't personally enjoy. I can cross the stream on my own.


Things I may not have always had, but really appreciated when I did:

Shallow draft boat
Explorer charts and/or Garmin chart plotting GPS
Small fridge
Dingy with small motor
Davits if one has larger dingy
Roller furling head sail
Spare parts, notably engine parts
Beer, real beer that is
Auxiliary power (I did half of one cruise without)
Properly functioning gravity emptying head
VHF
Autopilot
Depth sounder
Snorkeling gear - in part for checking anchor set
Did I mention shallow draft boat?
A boat that can handle upwind sailing in the chip if the banks (not the trimaran I owned)

(1). I agree radar can be handy for night crossings, but I always did just find without it. I eventually became wise enough to simply cross during the day.

(2). While I was always comfortable without an EPIRB, I now think the InReach offers much more at a reasonable cost.

(3). While I don't think all chain is necessary, I do think having 75 feet of chain or more has several advantages.

[Madwand]

Originally Posted by windhorze

oooooh, god forbid...

Yeah, God forbid he express his opinion...

Thats the first troll-like message I've seen in this thread, so I can understand why you call anyone who disagrees with you a troll.

[taxwizz]

Originally Posted by Madwand

Yeah, God forbid he express his opinion...

Thats the first troll-like message I've seen in this thread, so I can understand why you call anyone who disagrees with you a troll.

Please let's not insult each other.
We are all sailors, or at least boaters.
We enjoy life more than most people in this world. (hopefully)
So please...Let's play nice.