Must Have for my cruising sailboat??

[SkiprJohn]

Oh, and a new double deep sink.

[cortezsailor]

I might not ask what you have to have but more of what do you need. Keep in mind that everything you purchase will eventually break down. Keep it simple is a philosophy that makes life easier for a lot of cruisers. Whatever you do buy ask yourself the question , what will I do when it fails to work.
All that being said if money is no object go for it all.
The best things in life are free, or at least close to free.

[Orrjames]

I am doing a refit on our 1979 Pearson 365 ketch, all I really want or need to add is a 60 lb. anchor and heavier chain and perhaps a wind vaine. My watermaker is my deck, I turned the scupper holes in the aft section of the deck into collectors. I re routed them by adding a couple of valves and splitting into the water tanks, after the rain washes the salt off I just turn the valves and fill my tanks, add a little bleach and were good to go. I can collect more than i'll ever use in most cases. I am adding wind and solar charging with a good pure sine Charger/inverter and a good charge controller. But thats just cause I love my micro and fridge and tvs with out the noise and stink of the geney.I I can't wait to get going and get gone, I'm sure your with me on that! A good way to figure out what you want and need is to un- plug from shore power for a week, right at the marina, that will show you how life will be like with out wind and solar LOL.

[SunDevil]

Originally Posted by The Garbone

A working head and a way to heat water for coffee. Everything else is gravy.

All I need are a head and a way to store/make fresh water. I don't drink coffee.

Those two items are why I don't paddle my kayak down south this time of year.

[hooligan6a]

Must Have? After a well found boat. 1) One DRY bunk 2) Some way to keep on course 3) A GOOD stove. Everything after that is gravy.

[ShaktisBoy]

Hmmmm my wife is necessary. So that means a water maker "she likes her shower and I like her squeaky clean", i certainly don't want to run back to civilization every few days for water" a working clean head, plenty of storage for food and spares, refrigeration. Now luxuries I'm not going to give up without a fight AC and my ice maker," its hot and muggy down here".

[The Garbone]

Originally Posted by SunDevil

All I need are a head and a way to store/make fresh water. I don't drink coffee.

Those two items are why I don't paddle my kayak down south this time of year.

Funny you mention it as I try to only void my tanks when there are Kayaks about.....

[lifeofreilly57]

How much money do you have? How much money do you plan on cruising with?
That will pretty much determine how much "gotta have" stuff you will need. First you gotta buy it, then you gotta maintain it.
How big a boat?
Funny, no one mentioned a tooth brush.
Unless your cruising alone you will definitely need a toothbrush and toothpaste, it keeps everyone friendly in a confined space.
I have moved up in boat size over the years for the sake of comfort (and to stay married, the alternative is too expensive) but of course with that comfort comes a price and more maintenance to take care of all those systems that provide that comfort.
Hmmmm.....doesn't seem to make sense now that you think of it.
Go with what you got, expand from there.
Rum to rinse the toothpaste with.

[hooligan6a]

I sailed 30,000 miles without Refrigeration, SSB radio, Chartplotter, Watermaker, Auto pilot, windless, Radar, Generator, AC and Sailing Instruments. None of that is "Must Have" just more to break down. I had a Windvane. a Handheld GPS and a VHF radio, were the only electronics.

[nimblemotors]

I think you MUST HAVE somewhere to go, as sitting on the hard or at the dock would not qualify. Around in circles I guess would be OK, and that might happen if you don't have navigation equipment. Anchor is not needed in this case.

[Curmudgeon]

What you view as "must have" and what your wife views as "must have" may be two very different things. If she's a hardy lass who doesn't mind camping out, the list will be shorter. But the first thing I'd do is ask her.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by hooligan6a

I sailed 30,000 miles without Refrigeration, SSB radio, Chartplotter, Watermaker, Auto pilot, windless, Radar, Generator, AC and Sailing Instruments. None of that is "Must Have" just more to break down. I had a Windvane. a Handheld GPS and a VHF radio, were the only electronics.

Don't be lying and say you never wanted a cold drink in those nasty hot tropics.

[mrohr]

Fishing rod or yo-yo. Mask and fins. Awning/bimini .Books! Sun glasses ,Low maintenance
craft easily handled,Credit card and cash.Basic tools.

Of course there are other obvious requirements mentioned above and quite a few i could live without if necessary, but my list would always include those mentioned above and omitted by others, Did I say books?

.....................love you all.................mike.......................... ..............................

[Stu Jackson]

RTB in post #22 nailed it. YOU need to go on some short cruises and see what works for YOU and your crew.

The one "must have" is something only YOU can do: learn everything you can about boat electrical systems, since it seems to be a beginner's weakness most of the time. We have no idea what you know or don't know, nor do we know if you want/need refrigeration. But with or without refrigeration, you will still need a BULLETPROOF electrical system for nav lights and engine starts. So read up about battery maintenance, charging, solar, and switching.

Here's a link with a lot of handy electrical system material, many of them by our trusted electrical guru, Maine Sail:

Electrical Systems 101 Electrical Systems 101

[pistarckle]

Must haves .I would want very little stuff that requires a one hundred dollar an hour repairman . Manual always works . That said , maybe a watermaker, an autopilot , lots of anchors , chain and rope .several rollers on the pointy end . I would not need a windlass as the Bahamas is purty shallow .
If you ain't got it then it can't break !